Job Title

Department Head & Full Professor - Biological Sciences

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

College of Science & Mathematics

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The Head of the Department of Biological Sciences provides academic and administrative leadership. The Department Head manages faculty, staff, and student affairs; plays a key role in budget and resource management; oversees strategic planning; and represents the department to external stakeholders. This role is responsible for fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service while promoting the strategic goals of the department, college, and institution. The new Department Head will have the opportunity to hire tenure-track faculty to help elevate the program’s research profile. This position reports to the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.

This 12-month tenured* position is located primarily on Tarleton State University’s main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching responsibilities indicate. The position requires occasional travel to all campus locations served by the department. The Department Head is also expected to fulfill teaching and research duties sufficient to hold the rank of a tenured Full Professor.

*Tenure upon arrival would be granted through approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

60% Administration:

Leadership and Strategic Planning

Vision: Collaborate with the department faculty and staff to establish a vision for the Department of Biological Sciences in alignment with the overall vision of the school, college, and university.

Strategic Planning: Lead the shared development and implementation of a departmental strategic plan.

Institutional Collaboration: Work with the college dean and their leadership team, as well as administrative leadership in academic affairs and across institutional divisions, to fulfill the institutional strategic plan Tarleton Forward 2030.

Budget and Resource Allocation

Financial Oversight: Develop and manage the department’s budget with college and university administration.

Resource Allocation: Oversee the allocation of departmental resources, including equipment, lab space, technology, and office space.

Reporting: Work with the university budget specialist for record keeping and university reporting.

Academic Program Development and Continuous Improvement

Curriculum Assessment: Ensure the ongoing review, development, and modification of curriculum to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and to meet the evolving needs of students, accreditation standards, and industry expectations.

Program Assessment: Ensure review and evaluation of existing academic programs, using data to enhance quality and ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Program Development: Work with department and university partners to propose and develop new undergraduate and graduate programs, including interdisciplinary programs, majors, minors, certificates, etc.

Accreditation Compliance: Ensure academic programs meet discipline and institutional accreditation requirements, including preparing necessary reports and supporting documentation.

Faculty and Staff Excellence

Recruitment and Hiring: Oversee faculty and staff recruitment efforts, ensuring compliance and high-quality hiring practices.

Mentoring: Provide mentorship and guidance to faculty and staff, foster ongoing professional development, and encourage and support faculty in pursuing effective teaching practices and competitive scholarship.

Workload Management: Oversee faculty teaching assignments; oversee the collaborative articulation of faculty teaching, research, service, and administrative goals in the yearly Statement of Expectation documents.

Evaluation: Conduct annual performance evaluations of faculty and staff, including faculty midpoint, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviews.

Communication and Conflict Resolution: Foster open lines of communication within the department and with college leadership; address and mediate conflicts within the department, including faculty and staff disputes.

Student Academic Success

Engagement: Foster a productive environment for student engagement, retention, and graduation; support student organizations within the department.

Academic Scheduling: Ensure class offerings meet student demand and degree progression.

Conduct: Support faculty in their obligation to uphold standards of academic integrity and rigor of classes and programs; mediate departmental processes for student academic appeals.

Recruitment: Work with the Division of Enrollment Management and the College of Graduate Studies to market programs to increase enrollment.

Career Development: Connect students with internships, experiential learning, and career exploration opportunities.

20% Teaching:

Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.

Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.

Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.

20% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:

Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline.

Make original contributions to advancing knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.

Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience:

Earned doctorate in Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Genomics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, or a related field from an accredited university.

Must have a distinguished record in teaching and research that warrants a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Full Professor.

Eligibility for tenure will be determined by reviewing the candidate’s years of experience and professional achievements in teaching, service, and research consistent with Texas A&M University System guidance.

Tenure upon arrival would be granted pending approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction.

Written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities.

Ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty professionally, collegially, and collaboratively.

Other Requirements 
This position has potential access to Hazardous Materials: Labs and requires the ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system or water treatment system.

Preferred Requirements

Administrative and leadership experience as department head/chair at the college/university level or experience in supervisory/management position(s) in an academic arena.

Previous experience overseeing accredited academic programs or leading a program toward accreditation.

Demonstrated ability to use and understand data to inform strategic planning and decision-making for the department.

Strong evidence of ability to set operational goals from strategic plans and lead direct reports to accomplish strategic goals and initiatives.

***Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience***  

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via the "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include (required):

Completed online application

Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information

Unofficial transcripts

Applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must submit transcripts translated into English, along with an official credential evaluation from a recognized service.

Philosophy Statement

Philosophy Statement related to Teaching, and Research – no more than 1500 words.

         

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The first round of application reviews will begin December 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date Fall 2026.

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.