Position Details

Position Information

Department
Food Science and Techno (AFS)

Position Title
Administrator 1-Dept Head

Job Title
Department Head, Food Science and Technology

Appointment Type
Professional Faculty

Job Location
Corvallis

Benefits Eligible
Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The Department of Food Science & Technology is seeking a Department Head. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.The Department of Food Science and Technology (FST) is in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis. FST is internationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, Extension, and outreach, with strengths spanning sustainable food processing and packaging, dairy science, fermentation and microbiology, food and flavor chemistry, sensory, food safety, food and health, product and process development, and artificial intelligence applications in food systems. The Department has a strong land-grant mission and delivers impactful Extension programming in enology, fruit and vegetable processing, dairy, and sustainable food systems. FST is home to a dynamic and collaborative community of faculty, staff, and students and maintains strong partnerships with industry, supported by an engaged and impactful Advisory Board.

The Department Head provides overall administrative leadership to the Department of Food Science and Technology (FST) for all of its education, research, and Extension functions. These functions include undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, outreach, development, and international activity. The Head oversees a food science and technology program spanning the Corvallis campus including pilot winery, brewery, and dairy operations, the Food Innovation Center (FIC) in Portland, and the OSU Seafood Research & Education Center (SREC) in Astoria as one program in three locations. The Department Head is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high standards for teaching, research, and Extension and Outreach by departmental faculty, and for managing, administering, and coordinating the operations of the Department. The Department Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and makes management decisions, affecting programs, budget, staffing, and related matters.

This position of Department Head and Jacobs-Root Professorship appointment is subject to reappointment at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. The successful candidate must be tenured or eligible for tenure within the Department and have demonstrated scholarship and the potential for successful academic leadership, as shown by their record of professional service.

The Department Head directly supervises 17 tenured and tenure-track faculty, four professors and instructors in other ranks, 6 professional faculty (staff), and several research and courtesy appointments on the Corvallis campus, and collaborates with leadership at the FIC and SREC as the academic homes for faculty at those locations. The student population consists of 47 graduate students and 95 undergraduate majors.

The Department of Food Science and Technology is supported by approximately $5 million in state funding, $6 million in grants and contracts, and over $9 million in foundation endowments supporting scholarships and research. The department offers a BS in Food Science & Sustainable Technologies including degree options in Food Science, Fermentation Science, and Enology & Viticulture. The Food Science and Fermentation Science options are accredited by the Institute of Food Technologists. The unit offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Food Science and Technology. The unit also operates Beaver Classic, our student-led brand which develops, produces, and sells products on campus and in our community. FST has an external Advisory Board that advocates for the department and provides advice and strategic direction to the Department Head.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality opportunities related to their academic program, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning. Positions primarily responsible for extension and outreach are committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. The Department Head is expected to embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

Key Responsibilities

60% Administration

• Lead and coordinate the department's research, extension, outreach, recruiting, and teaching activities. Conduct this work in shared governance with the FST Leadership Council and College of Agricultural Sciences administrators.
• Oversee daily operations of the department, including ongoing cooperative opportunities and issues.
• Recruit and retain high-quality faculty, communicate expectations and goals, and provide criterion-based performance evaluations. Encourage, support, and create opportunities for faculty and staff development and sabbaticals. Develop effective mentoring relationships and programs to optimize faculty promotion and tenure success. Nominate faculty and staff for department, college, university, or national recognition. Build and promote a work environment that respects and values wide-ranging opinions.
• Champions student success within FST, supporting active engagement in scholarship, industry engagement, and overall student experience.
• Oversee undergraduate and graduate curricula in collaboration with undergraduate and graduate committees, including committee leadership, instructional assignments, peer teaching evaluations, and mentoring, and conduct annual undergraduate curriculum assessments to maintain accreditation by the Institute of Food Technologists.
• Manage departmental budget, making sound investments that advance departmental programs in alignment with the departmental and OSU strategic plans and the college's strategic advantages, while exhibiting sound stewardship and fiscal responsibility. Strive for robust, diverse revenue sources to enhance program resilience. This includes PACE (Continuing Education and Professional Development courses), Extension education, fee-for-service programs, Beaver Classic (our flagship brand for selling student-made products in the College of Agricultural Sciences), and other revenue-generating programs.
• Provides active leadership in advancing the department's goals related to inclusive excellence. Maintains a positive, welcoming, and inclusive work environment.
• Ensures FST compliance with college and university policies.
• Where appropriate, work with other department heads, program, center, station, and Extension regional directors to support critical programs and maintain adequate resources to ensure success.
• Lead facility planning, upgrading, and space allocation to meet department needs and growth.
• Assure that FST programming is relevant to stakeholders including Oregon's Food & Beverage industries, commodity commissions, professional organizations, and other partners and stewards the departmental resources and facilities, including the newly renovated pilot plants.
• Actively fosters relationships with industry, stakeholders, clientele groups, alumni, other universities, state, federal, and international agencies, and public groups.
• Actively encourage engagement by FST's Industry Advisory Board and be sensitive to the board members' guidance.
• Take initiative in working with faculty and the FST Industry Advisory Board comprised of alumni and industry representatives to develop and periodically revise the strategic vision, goals, and objectives for the department that are compatible with CAS and University goals and objectives, and that identify program priorities. These priorities will be used to develop future recommendations for faculty hiring, curriculum changes, and facility upgrades and expansion.
• Interface with Directors for Food Innovation Center and Astoria Seafood Research and Education Station. Contribute to the vision that OSU food science is one program in three locations.
• Participate as a member of the College of Agricultural Sciences administrative team. Contribute to long-range planning, foster inter-unit cooperation, and support college-wide programs. Work collaboratively with the heads of other units to help ensure cross-college planning, coordination, joint programs, and other activities that advance the department's mission.
• Participates in department, college, and university committees.

20% Research or Teaching

Research

• Carry out an independent research program funded externally.
• Sustain high scholarly productivity with peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional conferences, and strong grantsmanship.
• Professional development. Participate in professional, scientific meetings, workshops, direct research programs, and other training.
• Maintain professional and administrative scientific collaborations with other scientists within and outside the University, includin