Department Head-Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites applications for the position of Department Head. The position is an 11-month appointment at the rank of advanced Associate Professor or Full Professor with tenure to begin July 1, 2026. We seek a dynamic leader and distinguished researcher who will foster excellence in the research, educational and service missions of the department. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in leadership, a strong research background with demonstrated success in securing extramural funding, and commitment to instruction and program development. The Head is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the department’s mission and for articulating a strategic vision for the department that aligns with the college and university’s mission as the preeminent land-grant R1 institution. The Head manages the day-to-day operations of the department, including resource allocation and fiscal management; oversight of faculty development; support of the research enterprise of the department; and review of curriculum and program development with a focus on student success.

In addition to leading the administrative staff and supporting faculty research and educational endeavors while maintaining scholarly activity, the Head is expected to maintain strong relations with alumni, industry partners, and governmental agencies that currently engage with the department on a regular basis. The candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence and should have experience supervising M.S. and Ph.D. students.

Qualifications

The successful applicant must have a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, or a closely related field. A distinguished record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of advanced Associate Professor or Full Professor with tenure. The research specialty for this position is open but should align with departmental strengths in the areas of environmental and applied microbiology, molecular pathogenesis, immunology, cell biology, or biophysics. Demonstrated experience in academic leadership. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, with an ability to engage effectively with faculty, staff, university and college administration, students, and external stakeholders. A strong record of research accomplishment and extramural funding is preferred.

About the Department

OSU MMG is a dynamic department of discovery, innovation, and collaboration. It includes 16 tenured and tenure-track faculty members and 34 graduate students and 149 undergraduate majors. Our nationally funded research programs cover archaeal, bacterial, eukaryotic and viral systems and focus on environmental microbiology and microbial ecology, molecular pathogenesis, immunology, virology, microbiome function, and cell biology. Our faculty actively collaborate with colleagues across other departments and colleges at OSU. Research in the department is supported by state-of-the-art facilities for genomics and bioinformatics, high-performance computing, mass spectrometry, microscopy, protein analysis, biophysical instrumentation, and an animal/veterinary facility.

About the Institution

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie Tier 1 research institution with a 130-year legacy as one of the nation's premier land-grant universities. The Stillwater campus serves as the flagship of the OSU system which serves over 34,000 students and offers state-of-the-art facilities for research and instruction. The College of Arts and Sciences boasts exceptional strengths across the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities, complemented by institutional excellence in engineering, agriculture, and business.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants are asked to submit the following materials to the link below:

• A cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for the department
• A current curriculum vitae
• Leadership and management philosophy, including the applicant’s leadership vision for the department (1-2 pages)
• Research statement, including a brief description of how the applicant’s research will interface with that of the department’s faculty (1-2 pages)
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

Screening of candidates will begin on November 30, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. More information about the Department can be found at https://cas.okstate.edu/microbiology_and_molecular_genetics/. Inquiries about the position may be directed to Dr. Jason Belden (jbelden@okstate.edu).