Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology within the Eberly College Science at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications from a diverse pool of candidates for a dynamic, innovative, and visionary leader for the position of Department Head. The successful candidate will have a passion for academic excellence, including international recognition in research, effective mentoring and training, high-quality teaching, and engaged service, and previous experience in academic leadership is desirable. The position is open to candidates that have credentials for appointment as a full professor, as well as a PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field.

The Eberly College of Science Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) comprises world-class faculty who work together with undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate trainees in probing fundamental principles of the behaviors of molecules and cells as well as the organization of biological systems to advance scientific, educational and service goals. With majors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Forensic Science and a doctoral program in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, the BMB community is dedicated to educating the next generation of scientists and fostering their enthusiasm for basic research. With wide-ranging and yet complementary interests that engage researchers across the college and University in interdisciplinary pursuits, BMB faculty are involved in promising applied research, identifying scientific solutions to pressing problems in areas such as medicine, energy production, environmental concerns, and agriculture. The department’s areas of research span from the structures of biological molecules and their mechanisms to the development of multicellular organisms, including the genetics of human behavior.

Reporting to Tracy Langkilde, Verne M. Willaman Dean, the Department Head provides visionary and strategic leadership to elevate the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology’s academic and research excellence. In alignment with the College’s strategic direction, the Department Head provides innovative leadership to the department in all facets of operations. The Department Head serves as an engaged member of the Eberly College of Science leadership to establish and implement the strategic direction for the College and participate in College-wide governance structures and decision making. The successful candidate will be a relationship builder, advocate, and galvanizer with a proven capacity to formulate and articulate an innovative vision, to persuade a wide range of audiences of its value, and to guide its implementation. The Department Head will maintain an entrepreneurial, ambitious mindset that spans research and education. They will continue to support disciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaboration; facilitate the mentoring of principal investigators and departmental faculty to secure grant funding, publish their scholarship, mentor and support postdocs and other trainees, and leverage College and University resources to continue to develop their teaching and learning.

Application Instructions:

The search firm of Russell Reynolds Associates is assisting Penn State with this search. Application materials should include a 1) a cover letter outlining how their background and experience position them to lead the department and contribute to its teaching, service, and research programs; 2) a complete curriculum vitae.