Head, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM) seeks an engaging leader to serve as the next Head of the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (DCBS). The Department Head is responsible for strategic direction and oversight of the activities of the faculty, staff, and graduate students in the DCBS. The DCBS represents scientific disciplines related to health of humans, animals, and the environment, including bacteriology, biochemistry/molecular biology, metabolomics, proteomics and genomics, immunology, parasitology, pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, virology, food safety, and biostatistics.
The MSU CVM offers a forward-thinking academic environment, outstanding clinical services, productive research programs, and engaging community outreach programs. The College is renowned for its clinical education because students in the four-year DVM program spend two full years in clinics. Faculty are well compensated and supported in career and professional development, and the MSU-CVM values community, family, and work/life balance. Mississippi has low house prices and an affordable cost of living, and faculty enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. The MSU CVM is located in Starkville, Mississippi, a modern small city that offers cultural experiences, restaurants, and college sports. There are also opportunities for land ownership and hobby farming in surrounding rural areas. Mississippi possesses numerous cultural and natural sites, including the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Gulf Coast, and Mississippians are welcoming and supportive. Golden Triangle Airport has connecting flights to Atlanta airport, an international hub for all major airlines.
The DCBS is home to 18 faculty, 27 staff and 27 grad students who are engaged in research, teaching and service activities, with most faculty having a majority of their appointment focused on research. Research strengths of the department include environmental toxicology, represented by the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, aquaculture, infectious diseases, and immunology. Noteworthy research activities of the department include NIH- and DoD-funded research to develop novel antidotes to nerve agents; the Farming for the Future Fish Innovation Lab, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (US-AID) to support research leading to development of sustainable aquaculture in Asia and Africa; and USDA-funded research to reveal the pathogenesis of emerging bacterial diseases of farmed fish, to develop vaccines and novel therapeutics to prevent infectious diseases of aquatic species and livestock, and to develop methods to prevent foodborne illnesses due to bacterial agents.
In addition to research, faculty in the DCBS are involved in the management and delivery of courses in the first year of the veterinary curriculum, and members of the department play key roles in a program designed to provide veterinary students with a high-quality research experience in the summer. In addition, faculty in the department are actively involved in providing classes and training activities for graduate and post-doctoral students.
The Head of DCBS reports to the Dean of the MSU-CVM and this is a twelve-month appointment. Incoming academic rank and tenure are based on credentials. Responsibilities include administration (50%), with the remainder being made up of professional/diagnostic service and teaching and/or research, dependent upon interest and expertise. The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence of commitment to promoting faculty and student success, enhancing the department's reputation, and advancing departmental goals through dedicated leadership.
Essential Functions:
The Department Head is responsible for leading faculty and staff in the planning, development, and implementation of the DCBS strategic plan, through management of departmental resources, directing the search for new faculty hires as needed, and mentoring and evaluating departmental faculty and staff. The Department Head also serves as a member of the CVM leadership team, which engages in collaborative leadership. The Department Head must commit to building community and creating a positive work environment for all departmental personnel, and recruitment and retention of excellent faculty and staff is a priority for this position.
Qualifications:
A PhD in a relevant field, with a track record of serving as principal investigator leading an extramurally funded research program, is required. Experience with research related to agriculture and/or One Health in a land grant institution is desired. A DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree from a recognized college of veterinary medicine, and administrative experience managing and evaluating people working in a scientific and/or academic setting, are advantageous qualifications. Demonstrated commitment to fostering career development of junior faculty, postdoctoral research associates, and graduate students is highly desired.
Application Process:
Applicants must apply online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, statement of their philosophy on management and leadership (no more than one page) and contact information for 3 references. Questions should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Amelia Woolums: amelia.woolums@msstate.edu. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2024. Link to the position is https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/cw/en- us/job/507161?lApplicationSubSourceID=
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
