Posting Details
Posting Details
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Institution
South Dakota State University
Working Title
Department Head - Biology & Microbiology
Posting Number
F01913P
Department
SDSU-Biology & Microbiology
Physical Location of Position (City)
Brookings
Posting Text
South Dakota State University (SDState) seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Department Head of the Department of Biology and Microbiology within the College of Natural Sciences. This is a 12-month, full-time, tenure-track, benefits-eligible appointment with the academic rank of either Associate or Full Professor. This leadership position is located in Brookings, SD , serves as the executive officer of the department and reports directly to the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences.
This Department of Biology and Microbiology offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs including Human Biology, Microbiology, and Biotechnology. Together these majors train over 500 undergraduates for admission to professional programs in healthcare domains, graduate school, careers in industry, and a variety of other career paths. The Department is a key driver of South Dakota State University’s R1 Our Way mission to expand federally funded research and has active research and graduate programs focused on mammalian physiology and cell biology, microbial biology, plant physiology and molecular biology, and bioprocessing biotechnology. Department members lead or contribute to large research programs including multiple federally-funded research centers and engage in STEM outreach and workforce development. South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES : The Department of Biology and Microbiology seeks an innovative and collaborative leader with the vision, communication skills, and administrative capacity to guide the department. The successful candidate should be committed to establishing collaborative relationships, fostering an environment in which faculty and stakeholders are engaged partners, and communicating consistently and effectively. The Department Head is responsible for leading the development and maintenance of strong academic programs, supporting student recruitment and success across undergraduate and graduate programs, and ensuring that curricula remain rigorous, current, and responsive to workforce needs. The Department Head also provides leadership for the department’s research enterprise by supporting faculty grant development, managing research infrastructure and operations, mentoring early-career faculty, promoting collaboration, and cultivating a culture of high-quality, externally funded research.
BENEFITS : SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
- Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology Biotechnology or closely related field by application date.
- Meets the standards for tenure and rank within the department. Standards documents are available upon request to the search committee chair.
- Evidence of effective leadership and administrative skills including management of academic and research programs, managing complex budgets, fiscal matters, and/or personnel within an academic setting.
- Effective interpersonal relations, consensus building, professionalism, and motivational skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Understanding of the land-grant mission.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :
- Experience in academic administration, including the development, evaluation and oversight of undergraduate academic programs, curricula and/or instructional operations.
- Ability to support and advance research program success, strategic planning, and departmental initiatives.
- Familiarity with student success best practices
- Familiarity with recruitment and retention best practices for students, faculty, and staff
- Experience with collaboration across disciplines and/or with multiple stakeholders
- Leadership professional development experience
- Evidence of cultivating entrepreneurial opportunities
APPLICATION PROCESS :
SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu , search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
Posting Date
07/23/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
First Consideration Date
08/31/2026
Advertised Salary
The salary and rank for this position are commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $150,000 for Associate Professor.
Duration of the Term
12 months
If Other, describe duration
Appointment Percent
100%
Tenure Status
Tenure Track
Proposed Rank
Professor
Work Hours
Typical Hours Worked Per Week
Appointment Type
Regular
Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)
If internal, define scope of search
Department Description and Cultural Expectations
SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu . Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
Contact Information
For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Bob Watrel at Robert.Watrel@sdstate.edu .
Working Conditions
Cognitive Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-average, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication
Protective Clothing/Equipment
Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.
If other protection is used please identify
Physical Requirements
Please designate the physical requirements of this position
Carrying, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting light, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Stretching
Describe any of the conditions selected
Fine Finger Manipulation – standard keyboarding and computer functions
Sensory Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.
Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
Working Conditions & Exposures
Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.
Biohazard, Chemical Hazards, Exposure to Dust, Exposure to Infectious Diseases, Extreme Cold
Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above
Biohazard – a biological substance that poses a threat to the health of living organisms that may be present in lab environments and need to be handled using proper safety protocols.
Working Environment
Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.
Classroom Environment, Lab Environment, Office Environment
If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.
As the executive administrative officer of the department this position is tasked with developing and fostering strong teaching, research and outreach programs so multiple working environments are applicable.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Where did you hear about this position?
- SDBOR Employment Site
- South Dakota Department of Labor
- Employee Referral
- Department Announcement / Inside State
- Handshake
- Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
- Industry Conference
- Search Engine - Please specify
- Employment Agency - Please specify
- Newspaper - Please specify
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
- Radio - Please specify
- APLU
- List Servs - Please specify
- Alumni
- Other - Please specify
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Reference List
Optional Documents
