Career Center

Michigan State University Department of Plant Biology invites applicants and nominations for the position of Chairperson. The Chair will lead an internationally recognized department with a long history of innovation and excellence in research and education (https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/). The department’s core mission is to understand all aspects of plant biology by encompassing a broad range of scientific themes from molecular and cellular biology to evolution and ecology. The department is buoyed by a university committed to excellence in the plant sciences and a large plant science community of more than 120 research faculty. Research is conducted in state-of-the-art facilities on campus and at field sites across Michigan and throughout the world. The department includes more than 30 faculty members, strong graduate and undergraduate programs, and a supportive administrative and technical staff. Many faculty members are also affiliated with the Kellogg Biological Station (https://www.kbs.msu.edu), the MSU Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory (https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/), and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (https://www.glbrc.org/).

The Chair is expected to provide leadership and effective administration including departmental governance, resource management and research support, and to cultivate and promote an environment that fosters innovation, excellence, and diversity and inclusion in research and educational programs in Plant Biology. Candidates must possess an established record of scholarship in a relevant field, leadership and administrative effectiveness, and strong interpersonal skills. Candidates should be qualified to hold the rank of tenured Full Professor. Continuation of an active research program is encouraged and will be supported.

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter addressing their interest in the position;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. A statement highlighting past experience, accomplishments, vision and plans – while also addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the following sections:

   a. Research, including publications and grants, research leadership, and plans and vision for the department

   b. Education, including teaching and other educational experience, mentoring experience and philosophy, and educational philosophy and vision for the department

   c. Leadership, including leadership roles and accomplishments, and budgetary and administrative experience.

4. The names of three references (who will be contacted only with your permission).

Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality until a list of candidates for interviewing is determined. All materials should be assembled into one PDF and uploaded to:careers.msu.edu position #755254. Review of applicants will begin March 7, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position may be sent to the Chair of the search committee, PLB.chairsearch@msu.edu

MSU is an Affirmative-Action, Equal-Opportunity Employer and is committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applicants of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities, and we endeavor to facilitate employment assistance to spouses or partners of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.