Position Function:
The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Mississippi State University (MSU) is pleased to invite applications for the position of Department Head. The department is at a critical juncture in its growth and seeks a dynamic, strategic, and effective leader to fully realize the potential of its faculty, staff, and students.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Department of Physics & Astronomy, with approximately 35 undergraduates and 45 graduate students, forms a critical component of science and technology education and research across a thriving and entrepreneurial campus that values and supports interdisciplinary and collaborative studies and transformative research. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, the largest college on campus, the position is a 12-month appointment charged with responsibilities for all departmental operations including strategic planning, fiscal and personnel management, academic scheduling, resource allocation, and fundraising. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong administrative skills, leadership experience, a national reputation, and a track record of excellence in research, teaching, and other scholarly activities- required for appointment at the rank of Full Professor. We encourage applicants with a bold and strategic vision for academic administration, research, and teaching.
The department has a total of 18 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 5 non-tenure-track faculty, several adjunct faculty, and 5 permanent staff. Faculty conduct research in experimental, theoretical, and computational areas of several core sub-fields, such as condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, astronomy, biophysics, quantum computing, AMO, and plasma physics. Faculty research is supported by external grants from a variety of agencies including NASA, NIH, NSF, DOE, and ARO and two currently hold prestigious early career awards. In recent years, the department’s annual research expenditures routinely exceed $2 million, with an expectation of continued growth. The department grants B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Physics through the College of Arts and Sciences, and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Physics through the Bagley College of Engineering. Faculty and students collaborate widely across departments, colleges, and institutes, such as the Institute for Clean Energy Technology, the High-Performance Computing Collaboratory- which hosts the 7th fastest computer in the U.S. academia, the Center for Computational Sciences, and the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. The department houses an electronics shop, a self-service machine shop and a 3D printing facility. The department also operates the Howell Observatory which is primarily used for outreach and community engagement. Additional information on the Physics and Astronomy department is available at www.physics.msstate.edu.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
July 1, 2024
Tenure Track Status:
Tenured
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, the largest college on campus, the position is a 12-month appointment charged with responsibilities for all departmental operations including strategic planning, fiscal and personnel management, academic scheduling, resource allocation, and fundraising.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Physics
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong administrative skills, leadership experience, a national reputation, and a track record of excellence in research, teaching, and other scholarly activities- required for appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
Preferred Qualifications:
We encourage applicants with a bold and strategic vision for academic administration, research, and teaching.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicants must apply online at explore.msujobs.msstate.edu (search job 506517 under the Careers tab). Complete applications must include a cover letter, a CV, a statement of administrative experience and philosophy (2-page maximum), a statement of research and teaching expertise and goals (2-page maximum), a vision statement for promoting growth while maintaining a collegial and respectful atmosphere free from harassment and ensuring equal opportunity for all (2-page maximum), and contact information for five references. Screening of applications will begin November 14, 2023, but the position will remain open, and applications accepted, until filled. Informal inquiries may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. John Rodgers (rodgers@geosci.msstate.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
