Chair of Biology

The University of Mississippi invites applications for the full-time, 12-month administrative faculty position as Chair of the Department of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts. The University of Mississippi is an R1 institution in an exciting phase of institutional growth and is located in the city of Oxford, a vibrant community known for its small-town charm and outstanding educational and cultural opportunities. The Department of Biology has both tenured/tenure-track and instructional faculty, research associates, M.S. and Ph.D. students, and one of the largest cohorts of undergraduate majors and most robust course enrollments at the university. It is home to a community with broad research interests and expertise that span the hierarchy of biological organization from genes to ecosystems (for more information visit biology.olemiss.edu).

Candidates for the position of Chair must have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent in any area of the biological sciences and professional accomplishments commensurate with tenure at the rank of Professor, including a history of productive scholarship supported by extramural funding and documented strong graduate and undergraduate teaching experience. We seek a chair who will provide innovative and collaborative leadership to help the faculty shape a shared vision for the department’s future and to cultivate exemplary research and teaching. Desired qualifications include experience managing personnel and finances, strong interpersonal communication skills, a commitment to shared governance, a collaborative administrative approach that builds consensus across biological disciplines, the ability to build and manage interdisciplinary partnerships, and dedication to graduate student career development. Candidates with demonstrable commitment and experience in fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities for research, teaching, and learning are of particular interest.

Applications should include: a letter of interest, a complete curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, a statement addressing experience with and approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion, a brief statement of research and teaching philosophy, and a list of at least five references. Review of applications will begin January 18, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated starting date is July 2022, but is flexible. Questions about the position may be addressed to the search committee chair Dr. Molly Pasco-Pranger ([email protected], 662-915-7097).