Position SummaryThe Chair of the Department of Biostatistics provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to advance the Department's missions in research, education, and service. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Public Health, the Chair serves as the Department's chief academic and administrative officer and collaborates with the Dean, Department Chairs, and other institutional leaders to advance the School's mission.
The Chair is responsible for maintaining excellence in the Department's educational programs and providing strategic leadership for the Department's research enterprise by fostering rigorous, innovative, collaborative, and externally funded research that advances biostatistical methodology and accelerates improvements in biomedical and population health. Additional responsibilities include recruiting and mentoring faculty, strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations, expanding student enrollment, cultivating relationships with alumni and external partners, and securing resources to support the Department's continued growth, including through philanthropic engagement.
This is a 12-month tenure-track appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The successful candidate will have demonstrated academic leadership, a strong record of publishing biostatistical methodology and securing competitive extramural funding including funding from the National Institutes of Health or other federal agencies. The Chair will build on this record to foster a collaborative, high-performing department and advance its research, education, and service missions.
Key Responsibilities TeachingThe Chair will advance the education and research training missions in the VCU School of Public Health, and the Department of Biostatistics, promoting student success, and facilitating the training of the next generation of public health professionals.
ResearchThe Chair will provide strategic leadership for the Department's research enterprise by fostering rigorous, innovative, collaborative, and externally funded research that advances methodological discovery and improves biomedical and population health. The Chair will promote community engagement and elevate the Department's national and international profile by strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding collaborative opportunities, and enhancing its ability to attract research funding and other resources. In addition, the Chair will lead philanthropic initiatives to support and expand the Department's research, education, and training programs.
ServiceThe Chair will provide the vision and leadership to support superior academic and research programs, will serve on School and University committees, grant study sections, academic societies, and serve as journal editor and/or on editorial boards. The Chair will set the standard for commitment to the public and service within the community, helping to develop relationships with key community partners and stakeholders.
Administrative Duties & Responsibilities Financial ManagementThe Chair will prepare, oversee and implement the Biostatistics departmental budget that encompasses all funding and cost sources, and ensure compliance with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines. The Chair will effectively manage available resources and minimize unnecessary costs, promoting and modeling ethically and fiscally responsible best practices within the Department. The Chair will be a highly visible and collaborative leader in supporting the VCU School of Public Health strategic direction in partnership with School and University leadership.
LeadershipThe Chair will provide a strong and impassioned vision for building a culture of excellence in the Department. The Chair will prepare for current and future trends in biostatistics, and will help develop a vision for the rigorous research and innovative experiential training needed to create the next generation of public health researchers and professionals.
Relationship BuildingThe Chair will foster an atmosphere of support, collaboration and innovation in the Department, and will build strong relationships with other health sciences and academic partners across VCU. The Chair will collaborate with state and local health agencies to build teaching, research and practice-based relationships. The Chair will also work with the Dean of the School of Public Health to foster philanthropic engagement and support.
MentorshipThe Chair will mentor both trainees and faculty, will commit to and actively participate in the Departmental training mission, and will recruit, hire, develop and retain an outstanding faculty.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in biostatistics, statistics, or a field relevant to Biostatistics
- Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor
- Demonstrated excellence in biostatistics research with an extramurally-funded grant portfolio appropriate to complement and expand existing expertise in the department
- Successful administrative and leadership experience with a public health or academic institution (ex: Department or Division Chair, Center or Program Director), especially with respect to building or growing a program, center, or department
- Experience and success in mentoring faculty, early-stage investigators, researchers, and graduate students
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Unimpeachable integrity and personal ethics
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
Preferred Qualifications
- Evidence of national and international recognition in biostatistics or public health research
- Extensive experience in grant writing and success as a principal investigator on externally funded projects
Applications for this role will be accepted through August 19, 2026. Salary Range: Commensurate
Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Rank: Open (Associate Professor or Professor)
Tenure: Tenure Track
Months: 12 months
Contact Information:Contact Name: SOPH HR
Contact Email: [email protected] #LI-DNI
