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POSITION SPECIFICS
The Department of Biology within the Eberly College of Science at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, invites applications for a dynamic, collaborative, and visionary leader for the position of Department Head . Candidates should have demonstrated strong leadership skills qualifying them to play a key role in the continued advancement of the department, along with a distinguished record of research, teaching, and mentorship.
The Department of Biology is a broad and intellectually diverse community recognized for excellence in research, education, and outreach. Its faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students pursue discovery across scales of biological organization and a wide range of research areas. The Department takes particular pride in its collegial and collaborative culture, respect for diverse areas of scholarship, strong partnerships within and beyond the College, and commitment to integrating excellence in research and teaching. The Penn State Department of Biology is a vibrant academic community comprising 70 faculty members, 33 postdoctoral researchers, 90 graduate students, and 20 staff members. Its undergraduate programs include majors in Biology and Neurobiology and minors in Biology and Marine Science, with 1,526 students enrolled across these programs. The department is recognized on both a national and international level for its teaching and research.
Biology serves as an important hub for the life sciences at Penn State, with strong connections across the Eberly College of Science and the University. The Department of Biology works closely with several Penn State Institutes, including the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences which creates opportunity to collaborate with other colleges including Engineering, Medicine, and Agricultural Sciences. The Department has a tradition of developing leaders, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and embracing innovation in research and education. Looking forward, the Department seeks to build on existing areas of excellence while advancing emerging opportunities, strengthening connections between research and teaching, expanding experiential learning and undergraduate research, and ensuring that undergraduate and graduate education remain responsive to a changing scientific landscape.
Position Responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the Dean of the Eberly College of Science, the Department Head serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Department and provides leadership for all aspects of its mission.
The successful candidate will:
Articulate and advance a compelling vision for the Department's future while building alignment around strategic priorities.
Sustain and strengthen a collegial, collaborative culture that values the Department's breadth of research, teaching, outreach, and service.
Support faculty and staff success through effective mentoring, professional development, recognition of talent, and strategic resource allocation.
Strengthen areas of established research excellence while identifying and supporting emerging opportunities that enhance the Department's impact.
Champion excellence and innovation in undergraduate…