Utah State University invites nominations and applications for the Head of the Department of Biology in the College of Science. The successful applicant will be expected to provide strong leadership and a vision for enhancing the national prominence of the department, including strengthening of the department’s research activities and managing growth in undergraduate and graduate student enrollments.

This position start date is July 1, 2023. Application review will begin January 9, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their qualifications and vision for the position, a current curriculum vitae, and contact information for a minimum of 5 references.

Inquiries and nominations should be sent via email to Ricardo Ramirez and Susannah French, search committee co-chairs.

Primary responsibilities of the Department Head include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership in the department’s teaching, research, extension, and service activities.
  • The Department Head is expected to understand teaching, research, service, and extension, and have the ability to articulate and promote excellence in these areas. The Department Head will foster a positive, collegial climate and participatory decision-making process within the department that promotes excellence in the department’s programs. Key roles include oversight and championing of undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and mentoring of faculty and staff.
• Administrative responsibility for the department’s organizational performance.
  • The Department Head is responsible for fiscal planning and oversight of the department’s budgets and resources, and for management of processes and procedures relating to human resources including recruitment, career development, performance evaluations, and retention of faculty and staff. The Biology Department contributes to the mission of and receives resources from the Utah Agriculture Experiment Station.
• Promote the department within and outside the University.
  • The Department Head is expected to establish effective liaisons with other departments, college and university administration, alumni, and other stakeholders with the goals of increasing public and professional recognition for the department, and to attract resources that strengthen the department’s mission and goals.

Duties are 75% administration and 25% research/teaching/extension/service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned PhD in Biology or related discipline relevant to the department
• Stature or experience equivalent to the academic rank of full professor
• Evidence of excellent leadership and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Sincere appreciation for the accomplishments of others
• Capacity to provide leadership to support and promote excellence in teaching, research, service, and extension
• Demonstrated experience in teaching and pedagogy, research/scholarship, and mentoring of graduate and undergraduates
• Proficiency for program administration and evaluation, curriculum improvement, fiscal management, collaboration with stakeholders
• Ability to articulate, advocate, and effectively represent the needs, vision, and goals of the department to a variety of audiences including college and university administration
• Appreciation for or understanding of the land-grant mission and statewide reach of Utah State University
• Demonstrated commitment to build inclusive environments for students, faculty, and staff

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Current Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter describing your qualifications and vision for the position to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”.
3. Contact information for a minimum of 5 references.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Department of Biology has over 700 undergraduate and 60 graduate students, 47 faculty at 6 campuses across the State, 11 administrative staff members, and well over 100 hourly employees. Biology instructors serve over 4,380 students each year through our general education courses. The Department of Biology maintains a large research enterprise, and has taken a leadership role in promoting engagement of STEM students from diverse backgrounds in research. Biology and USU fosters innovation and professional development of faculty in their efforts to enhance student learning and engagement by offering support of professional association membership, conference/academy attendance, and an Empowering Teaching Excellence program offered by the Provost’s Office.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

* updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov