Penn State to launch new National Security Institute

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is launching the National Security Institute, a new research institute aimed at enhancing contributions to defense and national security. An internal search for a director to lead the new institute is underway.  

For decades, Penn State has been a trusted partner in defense research, and the National Security Institute will work closely with government agencies and industry partners to advance and facilitate research outside the scope of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) that is needed to address the critical current and future security challenges facing the nation and the world. Established in 1945 at the request of the U.S. Navy, ARL is a Department of Defense-designated University Affiliated Research Center that supports all the U.S. Armed Forces and other government agencies. The new institute will substantially increase ARL-adjacent research, focusing on areas such as infrared-signal and radiation detection, energy storage, and robotics and aerospace technologies development and manufacturing.  

“For more than a year, we’ve engaged with a small group of academic leaders in defense-related research to explore how best to unify and amplify our national security contributions,” said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State. “The National Security Institute will aim to accelerate the development of technologies that help deliver cutting-edge and innovative solutions to our federal and industry partners. I look forward to working with the inaugural director, who will play a key part in Penn State’s research enterprise and help us make even more of an impact when it comes to tackling the most pressing national and international challenges.” 

Penn State’s interdisciplinary research tradition dates to the establishment of ARL. The University’s current institute model evolved from efforts started around the same time, but then refined in the 1960s and again around the turn of the century. Institute directors work closely with deans in the University’s 18 colleges to attract top faculty, support research excellence and engage federal and industry partners, as evidenced by the more than 9,000 industry research projects initiated since 2013.

Continuing this tradition, the inaugural director of the National Security Institute will be an existing Penn State faculty member with tenure who will work closely with college deans and other institute directors to provide vision and leadership to advance excellence in research, build and maintain collaborations within the University and with federal agencies, and develop strategies for industry engagement and research commercialization. 

“National security is a priority and a key area for investment and growth at Penn State,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “We have a longstanding partnership with the Department of Defense and industry, and our faculty do meaningful work in this space. This new institute will help our faculty and students find additional research opportunities with colleagues at Penn State and, importantly, with our federal and industry partners. It is a step forward in solidifying Penn State’s leadership at home and abroad.” 

The National Security Institute will be the sixth largely funded out of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, joining the Institute of Computational and Data Sciences, the Institute of Energy and the Environment, the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Materials Research Institute and the Social Science Research Institute. The director will report to the senior vice president for research. 

To assist cross-disciplinary work in sensitive security areas, Penn State is developing LionSHIELD, a secure, isolated environment within Penn State’s network to protect sensitive information.

The search committee for the director position will be led by Andrea Tapia, dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST). Tapia is a scholar in crisis informatics, or the use of information and technology to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. She has served as interim dean and dean of IST since August 2023.  

“In addition to ARL, Penn State has a wide-ranging defense research portfolio spread across colleges and Commonwealth Campuses,” Tapia said. “The National Security Institute will bring all these efforts together to expand interdisciplinary research opportunities and amplify the impact of the work happening at the University. History has shown that research, including in the defense space, can lead to innovations that benefit society, such as the internet, microwave ovens and duct tape. That is the power of research: It can lead to discoveries that benefit us all.” 

Interested candidates may apply here with a full curriculum vitae, contact information for four references and a letter expressing their interest in this position with a detailed vision statement for advancing Penn State national security research, as well as managing talented faculty and staff to achieve greater impact. Review of applications will begin on May 9 and continue until the position is filled.