Professor and Head

Position Function:

The Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion (BCH-NHP) at Mississippi State University is seeking qualified individuals to join our dynamic and comprehensive academic unit as the Department Head. Our faculty have expertise across a wide range of disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular biology, food science, nutrition, dietetics, health promotion, and culinology. The department plays an essential role in advancing academic, research, and extension missions, contributing to the development of knowledge and its practical application in the health and nutrition fields.
Applications must be submitted online at www.jobs.msstate.edu (PARF 508702).

Salary Grade : UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion (BCH-NHP) faculty expertise includes biochemistry, molecular biology, food science, nutrition, dietetics, health promotion, and culinology. This is a comprehensive department with academic, research and extension missions. BCH-NHP offers minors, BS, MS, and PhD degrees, and currently houses 553 undergraduate and 70 graduate students. Moreover, the Department hosts two distance learning opportunities: a MS degree with an emphasis in Health Promotion and a MPH in Nutrition. The Department prides itself on maintaining accreditation across multiple programs.
Please see http://www.bchnhp.msstate.edu/ for information about the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

July 1, 2025.

Tenure Track Status:

Yes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops and maintains knowledge of the concepts, enabling legislation, history, and philosophy of the structural framework of the Department and that of a Land-Grant University.
2. Follows prescribed financial policies when making budget and expenditure recommendations for the Department.
3. Fosters collaboration and maintains communication with Department employees, faculty, staff, and other personnel with matters pertaining to the Department, College, Division, and across the University. Collaborates with governmental organizations (local, state, regional, national) and private sector entities to address the needs and priorities of the Department’s clientele, users, and cooperators.
a. Establishes and maintains relationships with key decision makers and leaders and communicates regularly with them to improve timelines, detail, and appropriateness of Department activities.
b. Reports regularly to superiors and advocates/negotiates with them for optimum combinations of human resources, funds, and materials to achieve program missions on a priority basis.
c. Reviews/evaluates plans of work, programs, publications, and other educational services and recommends continuation and/or modification to ensure complementary and supportive efforts by all faculty/staff.
4. Participates in department head meetings by reporting on and representing the teaching, research, extension, and other scholarly functions of the Department.
5. Leads in coordination with the Departmental faculty, the development of curricula, the establishment of standards for formal and non-formal instruction, and continued programmatic excellence in undergraduate and graduate education programs as well as extension education programs.
6. Identifies, supports, and encourages multi-department and interdisciplinary program activities that advance knowledge and technologies and enhance the development and dissemination of practical applications.
7. Encourages teamwork and promotes cooperation and joint programming, where appropriate, within the Department, among departments in the College, among units within the Division, and throughout the University system.
8. Leverages existing groups, such as priority planning groups and departmental advisory councils, to effectively identify priorities and strategically plan programs for the Department.
9. Provides planning, coordination, and support for obtaining goods and services needed for effective and efficient operation of the Department. Such services may include: official mail, space allocations, supplies, computer support and informational services, property control, and facilities maintenance.
10. Manages the staffing process within the Department according to appropriate MSU policies and procedures. This process includes: position development and requisition; application recruitment and review; and candidate selection and recommendation (including terms of employment).
11. Responsible for evaluating the performance of Departmental faculty and staff and coordinates with the appropriate Research and Extension Center Head for faculty located off-campus. Responsible for justifying the evaluation with the appropriate Dean and/or Director(s) or their designee(s).
12. Recommends opportunities for the professional growth and development of human resources within the Department.
13. Commitment to actively participate and/or engage in all aspects of the Department in the candidate's discipline or area(s) of expertise, including teaching, research and extension.
14. Collaborates with the Director of MAFES and other University research centers/institutes to equip BCH-NHP faculty to conduct applied & fundamental research to meet stakeholder needs.
15. In coordination with departmental faculty, directs the development of curricula, standards for formal/non-formal instruction, & continued programmatic excellence in undergraduate/graduate/extension education. This includes maintaining accreditation in relevant disciplines. The BS in Biochemistry is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Dietetic Internship are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The food science program is approved by the Institute of Food Technologists. The MS with a Certified Health Education Specialist credential is available through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
16. Performs other functions as assigned by the respective Dean and/or Directors.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned doctorate from an accredited institution in biochemistry, molecular biology, food science, nutrition, health promotion, public health, or a closely related field is required. Demonstrated leadership experience in areas related to research, teaching, and/or extension that is consistent with the mission of a Land-Grant University. Applicant should have a professional background appropriate for appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure and graduate faculty membership at MSU. Knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse interests and interdisciplinary programs in the department is required along with demonstrated successful administrative experience appropriate to the essential duties and responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience with capital development activities and extramural grantsmanship.
Demonstrated competence in leadership and management, and exceptional interpersonal skills.
Documented excellence in teaching, research, and outreach.
Experience in establishing networks with business and industry.
Achievement of national visibility through leadership in academic and professional organizations.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate linkages with regional, national, and international entities.
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, consumers, and business and industry-related constituencies.
Experience with distance education program development and delivery.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applications must be submitted online at www.jobs.msstate.edu, including the completion of the Personal Data Information Form.
Applications should also include the following information:
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Academic transcripts (SSN# redacted prior to submission)
3. The candidate's administrative philosophy as it relates to teaching, research, and extension in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion should be included in a cover letter.
4. Provide a vision statement that articulates how one would foster collaboration in an interdisciplinary unit.
5. Five professional references that include their name, current title and affiliation, address, telephone number, and email address.

Supplemental information and/or questions may be submitted to: Dr. Darrell Sparks, BCH-NHP Search Chair, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, head.search@cals.msstate.edu.
Review of applications will begin February 1, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Screening Date:

February 1, 2025, until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu .

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.