The Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at Oregon State University is seeking an exceptional candidate to provide progressive, innovative administrative leadership as Department Head.
The primary mission of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology (EMT) is to increase understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of chemical uses through quality education, research, outreach, and service. The faculty leads diverse research programs collectively to understand the occurrence, fate, and effects of chemicals and agents on human health and the environment. The department offers Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees and an undergraduate minor in Toxicology. The department provides specialized training in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, as well as Molecular and Cellular Toxicology. The collegial character of our faculty is demonstrated by extensive collaborative research and teaching.
This position of Department Head is a full-time, 12-month appointment, with reappointment at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. The successful candidate will be appointed with indefinite tenure, 9-month, 1.0 FTE in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology.
Design, develop, maintain, and/or carry out programs to ensure that all people have equal employment opportunities and equal program participation opportunities regardless of their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status. Oregon State University’s commitment to student success includes hiring, retaining, and developing diverse faculty to mentor and educate our undergraduate and graduate students from entry through graduation. Our Strategic Plan articulates the strategies critical to advancing and equalizing learner success. The College of Agricultural Sciences is likewise committed to the success of all learners accessed through its extension and outreach programs. As part of your role in the college, there is an expectation that you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.
50% Administration
- Lead and coordinate the department’s research, extension, outreach, and teaching activities.
- Oversee daily operations of the department, including ongoing cooperative opportunities and issues.
- Secure competitive grants: The department’s research programs rely on extramural funding, and managing state funds to help independent investigators is a high priority.
- Recruit and retain high-quality faculty, communicate expectations and goals, and provide criterion-based performance evaluations. Encourage, support, and create opportunities for faculty and staff development, study abroad, and sabbaticals. Develop effective mentoring relationships and programs to optimize faculty promotion and tenure success. Nominate faculty and staff for department, college, university, or national recognition. Build and promote a work environment that respects and values wide-ranging opinions.
- Provide active leadership in advancing the department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
- Participate in funding partnerships for major equipment purchases and facility improvements.
- Facilitate research collaborations with scientists both within and outside the department.
- Build relationships with the public and policymakers who seek the department’s science-based information for making critical decisions that impact human health and environmental quality.
- Where appropriate, work with other department heads and program, center, station, and Extension regional directors to support critical programs and maintain adequate resources to ensure success.
- Be responsible for maintaining the organizational structure for courses that support university programs, particularly those within the department.
- Identify synergies between research, extension, and teaching that benefit Oregon. The department’s teaching program focuses on graduate education and offers undergraduates didactic and research opportunities.
- Work proactively with the faculty to develop and periodically update a strategic plan outlining program priorities to enhance departmental programs, guide faculty hiring recommendations, curriculum changes, and acquiring and upgrading facilities.
- Manage departmental budget, making sound investments that advance departmental programs in alignment with the departmental and OSU strategic plans and the college’s strategic advantages, while exhibiting sound stewardship and fiscal responsibility.
- Participate as a member of the College of Agricultural Sciences administrative team. Contribute to long-range planning, foster inter-unit cooperation, and support college-wide programs. Work collaboratively with the heads of other units to help ensure cross-college planning, coordination, joint programs, and other activities that advance the department’s mission.
30% Research and Scholarship
- Carry out an independent research program funded externally.
- Sustain high scholarly productivity with peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional conferences, and strong grantsmanship.
- Professional development. Participate in professional scientific meetings, workshops, direct research programs, and other training.
- Maintain professional and administrative scientific collaborations with other scientists within and outside the University, including state, federal, and international agencies.
- Advise and mentor students (undergraduate and graduate).
10% Development
- Work collaboratively with development officers and the College of Agricultural Sciences dean to develop private gifts that provide new department facilities, endowed professorships, or support of department personnel and operations.
10% Service
- Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with professional organizations and agencies interested in Environmental and Molecular Toxicology-related fields.
- Serve on state, regional, and national advisory committees as appropriate to position responsibilities.
- Serve on the College of Agricultural Sciences and other University committees as appropriate and as requested by the Department, College, Division of Extension and Engagement, and the University.