Department Head Biology

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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 and graduate education, including opportunities to strengthen connections between research and teaching and expand experiential learning and undergraduate research. 

• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations within the College, across Penn State, and with external partners, strengthening Biology's role as a hub for the life sciences at Penn State. 

• Serve as a visible and effective advocate for the Department, promoting its priorities with College and University leadership, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders. 

• Develop and manage budgets strategically while effectively administering personnel, facilities, and academic programs. 

• Promote transparent communication, shared governance, and thoughtful decision-making informed by departmental expertise. 

• Foster a welcoming and supportive environment in which faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students can thrive and contribute to the Department's success. 

The Department Head is expected to maintain an active and visible research program and continue contributing to the advancement of the discipline through scholarship, mentorship, and professional service. 

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess: 

• Credentials sufficient for appointment as a tenured Professor in the Department of Biology. 

• An earned doctorate in biology or a closely related field. 

• A distinguished record of research, scholarship, teaching, and mentorship. 

• Demonstrated academic leadership and administrative experience, with the ability to recognize challenges and opportunities and translate strategic priorities into action. 

• Proven ability to strategically manage budgets, personnel, and organizational resources and balance diverse priorities and resource needs. 

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to listen thoughtfully, communicate transparently, build trust, and engage effectively with diverse audiences. 

• Effectiveness in advocating for research, education, people, facilities, and institutional priorities. 

• Sound judgment and the ability to address difficult issues constructively, make thoughtful and timely decisions, and lead effectively through change. 

• An appreciation for the distinct and complementary contributions of research, teaching, mentoring, outreach, and service to the Department's mission. 

Application Materials:

Applications should be submitted on the Penn State site and include a single PDF including all of the following: 

• A two-page letter describing the applicant's interest in the position, qualifications, leadership experience, administrative accomplishments, and vision for the future of the Department of Biology. 
• Statement describing the candidate’s research program.

• A statement of leadership and management philosophy, including examples of effective leadership, team building, faculty and staff development, mentoring, and strategic decision-making. 

• A curriculum vitae. 

Review of Applications:

Screening of applications will begin December 7, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027. 

Questions about the position should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Mauricio Terrones ([email protected]). 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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