Department Head

leadership, a strong research background with demonstrated success in securing extramural funding, and commitment to instruction and program development. The Head is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the department’s mission and for articulating a strategic vision for the department that aligns with the college and university’s mission as the preeminent land-grant R1 institution. The Head manages the day-to-day operations of the department, including resource allocation and fiscal management; oversight of faculty development; support of the research enterprise of the department; and review of curriculum and program development with a focus on student success. In addition to leading the administrative staff and supporting faculty research and educational endeavors while maintaining scholarly activity, the Head is expected to maintain strong relations with alumni, industry partners, and governmental agencies that currently engage with the department on a regular basis. The candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence and should have experience supervising M.S. and Ph.D. students.

About the Department

OSU MMG is a dynamic department of discovery, innovation, and collaboration. It includes 16 tenured and tenure-track faculty members and 34 graduate students and 149 undergraduate majors. Our nationally funded research programs cover archaeal, bacterial, eukaryotic and viral systems and focus on environmental microbiology and microbial ecology, molecular pathogenesis, immunology, virology, microbiome function, and cell biology. Our faculty actively collaborate with colleagues across other departments and colleges at OSU. Research in the department is supported by state-of-the-art facilities for genomics and bioinformatics, high-performance computing, mass spectrometry, microscopy, protein analysis, biophysical instrumentation, and an animal/veterinary facility.

About the Institution

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie Tier 1 research institution with a 130-year legacy as one of the nation's premier land-grant universities. The Stillwater campus serves as the flagship of the OSU system which serves over 34,000 students and offers state-of-the-art facilities for research and instruction. The College of Arts and Sciences boasts exceptional strengths across the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities, complemented by institutional excellence in engineering, agriculture, and business. Stillwater consistently ranks among the best places to live in America, recently featured in Money Magazine, and is celebrated as one of the nation's friendliest college towns. This vibrant community of approximately 50,000 offers an exceptional quality of life with a cost of living well below the national average—including housing costs at roughly 80% of the national median. Residents enjoy a thriving arts and music scene anchored by the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, numerous parks and museums, top-rated public schools, and excellent medical facilities. Connectivity is exceptional: Stillwater Regional Airport provides convenient access through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, while the dynamic metropolitan areas of Tulsa and Oklahoma City—each about an hour away—offer expanded cultural, dining, and entertainment options. With gigabit internet widely available, Stillwater combines small-town charm with modern amenities, creating an ideal environment for both professional achievement and personal fulfillment.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, or a closely related field. A distinguished record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of advanced Associate Professor or Full Professor with tenure. Demonstrated experience in academic leadership The research specialty for this position is open but should align with departmental strengths in the areas of environmental and applied microbiology, molecular pathogenesis, immunology, cell biology, or biophysics.

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, with an ability to engage effectively with faculty, staff, university and college administration, students, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

A strong record of research accomplishment and extramural funding is preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants are asked to submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for the department.
2. A current curriculum vitae.
3. Leadership and management philosophy, including the applicant’s leadership vision for the department (1-2 pages).
4. Research statement, including a brief description of how the applicant’s research will interface with that of the department’s faculty (1-2 pages).
5. Contact information for at least three professional references.

Screening of candidates will begin on November 30, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. More information about the Department can be found at https://cas.okstate.edu/microbiology_and_molecular_genetics/. Inquiries about the position may be directed to Dr. Jason Belden (jbelden@okstate.edu).