Search for the Next Head of
the Department of Biological Sciences
at Purdue University
Purdue University invites applications for the position of Head of the Department of Biological Sciences to start July 2025. The department seeks a dynamic leader with creative vision and an outstanding record of research, administration, and teaching.
Job Summary
Key responsibilities of the Department Head include:
- providing leadership to support existing preeminent research programs and launch new high-impact growth areas;
- leading efforts to attract, mentor, and retain high-achieving faculty;
- fostering an inclusive environment;
- preparing students to become scientific leaders;
- managing substantial budgets;
- advocating on behalf of the Department’s mission to internal and external stakeholders, including cultivating long-term relationships with our alumni and fundraising;
- enhancing the continuing efforts of our University and College to build interdisciplinary programs.
Department Overview
Our department encompasses a broad array of innovative research areas, ranging from subcellular to ecosystem scales, along with diverse, creative educational programs. Interdisciplinary, collaborative research is supported and encouraged both within the department and the university.
Many departmental faculty members are involved in university-wide multidisciplinary research, such as through Discovery Park www.discoverypark.purdue.edu and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research www.cancerresearch.purdue.edu.
Members of the department play leading roles in the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/institute-for-integrative-neuroscience/ and Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/pi4d/
Moreover, departmental faculty participate in translational and industrial partnerships, including patent development and the One Health initiative https://www.purdue.edu/onehealth/.
As of Fall 2024, the Biological Sciences Department is comprised of 57 faculty members and 55 staff members, 7 lecturers, 32 post-doctoral researchers, 146 graduate students, and 1244 undergraduate biology majors. Further information about the department is available at www.bio.purdue.edu.
College of Science Overview
The Department of Biological Sciences is one of seven departments in the College of Science, and there are numerous interdisciplinary programs and centers. Beyond the College, Purdue’s strengths in Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and the Health and Human Sciences contribute to robust research collaboration, technology development, and advanced data analysis capabilities, and it fosters a rich educational environment for students and postdoctoral fellows. Further information on the College of Science is available on the website at www.science.purdue.edu.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have: a Ph.D. in Biology or a related discipline; an outstanding record of scholarly achievement and a history of extramurally funded research commensurate with the rank of full professor at Purdue; dedication to building a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant scientific community, exceptional and proven leadership abilities; an effective vision for the department in the university, state, and nation; commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education; and an enthusiasm for engagement and development. Purdue University’s Department of Biological Sciences is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction and engagement.
Applications
We encourage qualified candidates to submit application materials online at http://hiring.science.purdue.edu. Please submit a letter of application that describes qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, names of three references, and statement of administrative philosophy. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to Biology Head Search Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 Mitch Daniels Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054 or bioscifacsearch@purdue.edu A background check is required for employment in this position.
EEO/AA Statement
Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Posting Start Date: 9/3/24
About the Department of Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences is the largest department in the Life Sciences disciplines at Purdue University. As part of the College of Science, the department fulfills the teaching and research mission of the university in areas of biological systems ranging from the molecular through ecosystem levels. The Department offers baccalaureate degrees in 10 major areas of study and supports graduate student research across 6 research topic concentrations. As a widely recognized leader in scientific discovery, the Department’s research contributions inform both fundamental questions and complex problems across diverse areas of interest from cancer models to host-pathogen interactions to behavioral ecology. For more information, see www.bio.purdue.edu.
About Purdue University's College of Science
Biological Sciences is part of the College of Science. The College is committed to the persistent pursuit of the mathematical and scientific knowledge that forms the very foundation of innovation. More than 350 tenure-track faculty conduct world-changing research and deliver a transformative education to more than 6,000 undergraduates and 1,750 graduate students. See how we develop practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges with degree programs in the life sciences, physical sciences, computational sciences, mathematics, and data science a For more information, see www.purdue.edu/science.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, Purdue Computes and OneHealth comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes — at www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
Department of Biological Sciences Resources
- Research and Innovation
- Education
- Our People