Peter Schiffer is Dean for Research and Professor of Physics at Princeton University, where he leads the University's research activities across disciplines and supports the development of major scientific initiatives. He previously served as Vice Provost for Research at Yale University, the inaugural university-wide senior research officer responsible for coordinating research strategy and strengthening collaboration across departments, and as Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he oversaw interdisciplinary research institutes and campus-wide initiatives.

He has also served as a senior fellow at the Association of American Universities, contributing to national discussions on research policy, funding, and the future direction of scientific research.