Marc B. Parlange, provost and senior vice president of Monash University in Melbourne, who was born in Rhode Island, was appointed to the post at a trustees meeting on Monday night.

H will succeed David Dooley, who has led the state's flagship university since 2009. He officially takes over Aug. 1.

"He is an accomplished, visionary leader who has focused on student success and experience," trustee Thomas Ryan, chair of the search committee, said in a statement.

"During his career, he has advanced global scholarly research, navigated financial challenges, built strong industry partnerships and developed a depth of experience in creating more diverse and inclusive communities, especially for the most historically marginalised members of our society."

Parlange, 58, was born in Providence to parents who emigrated from France and Ireland.

He is internationally recognised for his expertise in environmental fluid mechanics and research in hydrology and climate change.

"The university can seize the opportunity to step up and provide leadership in these challenging times," he said in a statement.

"We can stand out as an inclusive institution that creates new ways of learning and teaching, that pioneers innovative interdisciplinary research and that, through its industry and public partnerships, is a major driver of the Rhode Island economy."

Parlange was one of two finalists for the presidency but the other candidate withdrew his name.

URI has approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students and an annual budget of more than $US800 million ($A1.0 billion).

Australian Associated Press