An assistant director of the National Science Foundation is planned to be Iowa State’s next vice provost for research, effective Sept. 1.

John Brighton is the head of the foundation’s Engineering Directorate and also the husband of recently appointed Human Sciences Inaugural Dean Cheryl Achterberg. Brighton was appointed without a search committee.

“With this specific situation and the opportunity to hire such an outstanding leader, no search committee was formed to identify and seek out candidates,” said Provost Ben Allen.

Brighton, who joined the National Science Foundation in 2003, previously held faculty positions at Pennsylvania State University and Chicago’s National-Louis University.

Brighton is replacing Jim Bloedel, who announced his return to teaching last month.

— Takeru Kise