Jeffrey F. (Jeff) Rhoads joined the University in 2023 and serves as the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research. In this role, he has oversight for all of Notre Dame’s research infrastructure, including supporting programs in all areas of research, scholarship and creative endeavor. He also holds the position of professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering. 

Prior to joining Notre Dame, Rhoads served as executive director of the Purdue Institute for National Security and as a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering. He previously served as the director of the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, associate director of the Purdue Energetics Research Center, and director of practice for the Mechanical Engineering Education Research Center at Purdue University.

Rhoads is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the National Defense Industrial Association. Rhoads earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctoral degree, each in mechanical engineering, from Michigan State University.