University of South Alabama

The Department of Biology invites applications for the position of Department Chair at the rank of Professor. The starting date for this twelve-month, tenure track position is August 15, 2024.

Qualifications include 1) a Ph.D. in Biology or a closely related discipline, 2) a distinguished and active record of scholarly publications and excellence in research and teaching, 3) effective leadership and interpersonal skills, and 4) relevant administrative experience. The chair will also be expected to provide vision, creative leadership, and advance the department’s research and educational missions. Applicants must have at least one year in the respective rank at a comparable institution.

The Department of Biology at the University of South Alabama is committed to providing high- quality education in the life sciences through building a diverse, supportive, and collaborative intellectual community of faculty and students. Through hands-on mentorship, teaching, and research, our mission is to create an educational environment that enables our undergraduate and graduate students to excel. Our students develop practical skills that prepare them for exceptional career opportunities, including professional and graduate school programs, industry, and non- governmental organizations to serve their communities.

The Chair is the chief administrative officer of the Department and is expected to foster a culture of excellence in research, teaching, mentorship, and service through:

• Developing and implementing a compelling vision for the future of the department in collaboration with the faculty and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences that promotes the professional development of faculty, staff, and students while also fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment within the department.

• Providing leadership in planning and supervising programs relevant to the department’s mission, manage departmental budgets and other financial matters, and assist in generating extramural support for department activities.

• Communicating effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators and stakeholders, including appropriately seeking and applying feedback.

• Maintaining an active research program.

• Teach undergraduate or graduate courses in the area of specialization, including during summer.

  A rapidly growing institution, the University of South Alabama, the Flagship of the Gulf Coast, enrolls over 14,000 graduate and undergraduate students and is committed to being a Research- Intensive University. The campus is located in a thriving metropolitan area of over 400,000 people on the scenic northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile sits at the intersection of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and the Gulf of Mexico and is one of the most biodiverse locations in the country. The city of Mobile has a burgeoning downtown with restaurants and breweries, fantastic weather, a regional airport, access to incredible beaches, and is the originator of Mardi Gras.

The Department of Biology has fifteen full-time faculty members and multiple part-time instructors. Information on faculty research interests and teaching can be found on https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/biology/. The department offers BS and MS degrees in Biology, and fulfills a critical role within the University of South Alabama by offering numerous classes for non-science and science majors.

Salary and start-up packages are competitive based on qualifications.

Candidates should send, in a single PDF file, a cover letter (1-2 pp.), curriculum vitae, research statement (2 pp), diversity statement (1 p.), teaching philosophy statement (1-2 pp.), a statement of administrative vision that includes a description of relevant experience (1-2 p.), and the names and contact information of three references to Julie Herman (jherman@southalabama.edu). Questions regarding the position should be sent to Dr. Sean Powers, Chair, Biology Chair Search Committee, spowers@southalabama.edu.

Review of applications will begin on November 7, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

The University of South Alabama is an EO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.