A University of Minnesota search committee announced three finalists for the University’s vice president for research position Wednesday.

The finalists are Mark M. Banaszak Holl of the University of Michigan, Brian Herman of the University of Texas and Meredith Hay of the University of Arizona.

All are current professors in the sciences who have also held leadership positions in university governance, research or health sciences.

The vice president for research oversees research efforts across all of the University’s coordinate campuses, including the commercialization of inventions.

Tim Mulcahy, the current vice president for research, was appointed to the position in February 2005. He will retire in December.

Mulcahy earned more than $260,000 in 2011 — the 40th highest salary of all University employees.

University President Eric Kaler appointed the search committee in May. It’s made of members of both the University and the larger community and is co-chaired by Aaron Friedman, vice president for Health Sciences and dean of the Medical School, and Steve Crouch, dean of the College of Science and Engineering.

The three candidates will all undergo a public interview process Oct. 8-10.