Applications are invited for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. This is a full-time, tenure-upon-hire, 9-month faculty appointment with an administrative stipend equivalent to two months of summer salary (11-months total) . This position has research and service in the form of administrative appointment expecations, percentages to be discussed. The Department Head will receive funding for a 12-month postdoctoral scientist position to support ongoing research activities upon approval of a Hatch project. Candidates with ongoing active research programs, interest in continuing active scholarship, and experience in academic administration are encouraged to apply.
As the chief administrative officer of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Department Head will provide strategic leadership for the department's teaching, research, and service missions. The Head will be responsible for recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding faculty, staff, and students; enhancing the department's national and international reputation; fostering productive partnerships; and promoting transparent, collaborative, and effective departmental governance.
Candidates for the Professor and Department Head position must hold a Ph.D. in the biological sciences or a closely related field and have a distinguished record of achievement in research, teaching, and service that qualifies them for appointment as a tenured professor. The successful candidate will demonstrate visionary leadership, innovative thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators, governmental agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Experience in securing external funding and developing programs that support research, teaching, and outreach initiatives is highly desirable.
The successful candidate should have a track record of meaningful experience in, and an appreciation for the intricacies of, effective faculty recruitment. The successful candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to fostering a collaborative and multidisciplinary academic environment that supports the success of faculty, staff, and students. The Department Head reports directly to the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
The Department, with 47 faculty ( https://biochemistry.tamu.edu ), offers undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Genetics (~70 degrees conferred/academic year) and has a highly active doctoral program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, currently comprising more than 75 graduate students. Research activities in the Department address scientific questions in biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and genomics, and cellular and molecular biology supported by annual research expenditures of approximately $24.4 million. The Department houses the Center for Phage Technology , the Center for Structural Biology, the Integrated Metabolomics Analysis Core , and the Biomolecular NMR Facility .
Qualifications
Candidates for the Professor and Department Head position must hold a Ph.D. in the biological sciences or a closely related field and a distinguished record of achievement in research, teaching, and service that qualifies them for appointment as a tenured professor. The successful candidate will demonstrate visionary leadership, innovative thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators, governmental agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have an internationally recognized research program, a demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, and academic administrative experience.
The Search Committee is particularly interested in a candidates' administrative philosophy and vision for the Department, including education, faculty mentoring, interdisciplinary research programs, and a strategies for development and fundraising.
Application Instructions
Qualified applicants should submit the following: 1) a Cover Letter; 2) a detailed Curriculum Vitae; 3) a Personal Statement, including administrative philosophy and plans for research, teaching and service; 4) Department Head Vision Statement that addresses their vision for the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, education and the profession, leadership philosophy, and administrative experience and 5) Names and Contact Information of three Professional References.
Applications must be uploaded via Interfolio ( apply.interfolio.com/191680 ). Application review will begin on October 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the position is August 1, 2027, or as mutually agreed.
Texas A&M University has retained Randy Woodson and Charles Kaler of CSA Search & Consulting to assist with this Head search. Additional information about the position and department is available on the Search Website . Confidential inquiries and nominations may be sent to [redacted].
For questions regarding the submission of application materials via Interfolio, please contact Dawn Miles at [redacted] . For inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Mary Katherine "Katy" Gonder, Search Committee Chair, at [redacted] .
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
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