University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler named Allen Levine — a former dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences — as interim vice president for research Thursday.

Levine, who will not seek the position permanently, will step in for Brian Herman, who resigned from the job early in November. Levine will take over the position effective Jan. 1, 2017 until a permanent replacement is chosen.

“Al brings 30 years of service to our University and a deep understanding of research … leadership and management experience, and a track record of successful collaboration to this role,” Kaler said in an email to faculty and staff Thursday. “I am confident that he will … continue to make progress on key initiatives, such as our work to advance human research protections.”

Levine will be responsible for overseeing the school’s research agenda on all of the University’s campuses.

Levine stepped down as the dean of CFANS and as director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment station in 2013. Since then he has conducted research in the neuroregulation of food intake.

Currently, Levine serves as the president of the Obesity Society and is involved in national policy regarding treating obesity.

He has served in the Office of the Executive Vice President as vice provost for faculty and academic affairs and as a provost office liaison for certain academic initiatives.

Currently, Levine is a professor in the department of food science and nutrition and an adjunct psychiatry professor.

Executive Vice President and Provost Karen Hanson and Medical School Dean Brooks Jackson will co-chair a national search to find a permanent replacement for the position. The process will launch in January.