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INTRODUCTION

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science at the University of Connecticut in Storrs (UConn) invites applications for the position of Department Head with an appointment as Associate or Full Professor. We seek an innovative, ambitious, and discerning individual to provide leadership for our competitive and productive department in alignment with the new strategic plans for the College and the University. This is a full-time, 9-month position with a 10^th month of service in this administrative capacity. The Department Head oversees academic programs, service operations, and facilities of the Department, and reports directly to the Dean. 

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science provides a cutting-edge program designed to meet the tripartite land-grant university missions of teaching, research, and service in the field of Pathobiology. The 14 faculty and 15 staff members of the department encompass and embrace diversity, which benefits and enriches the work, learning, and research experiences of the community. The expertise of the faculty encompasses both human and veterinary infectious diseases, vaccine development, veterinary pathology, diagnostic testing, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, and virology. The department is home to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL), [www.cvmdl.uconn.edu], an AAVLD accredited laboratory that provides veterinary pathology and diagnostic testing services such as pathology, microbiology, serology, and molecular testing nation-wide and is at the forefront of emerging infectious disease outbreak detection. The Department is also home to prominent research centers including the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR) and the US Animal Vaccinology Research Coordination Network (USAVRCN).

Undergraduate and Graduate programs balance the development of breadth of knowledge, core technical and professional skills, and the global awareness and social literacy that is necessary upon graduation. The undergraduate curricula are strengthened through experiential learning opportunities and established Honors, internship, and undergraduate research programs. Currently, the department has approximately 100+ undergraduate majors pursuing BS degrees, 10+ graduate students pursuing MS and Ph.D. degrees, and 2 veterinarians enrolled in the MS/residency program in veterinary anatomic pathology. For more information, see https://pathobiology.cahnr.uconn.edu/.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As the departmental administrative officer and leader, the Head reports directly to the Dean. Duties include:

• Manage administrative responsibilities for academic, personnel, and fiscal affairs and provide oversight of physical facilities.
• Represent and promote the department to the College, University, State, as well as at the National and International levels.
• Promote collegiality and enhance a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff in the Department
  • Advance CAHNR’s commitment to equity and inclusion by 1) considering sources of bias and structural inequity based on race, ethnicity, disability, gender, and sexual orientation, and 2) facilitating programs that address the burden these injustices impose on members of the campus community and residents of the state where appropriate.
• Acquire and maintain current knowledge of all relevant campus, college, and union policies and procedures, and develop appropriate departmental policies as required.
• Actively engage in development on behalf of the Department in collaboration with the College’s Director of Development.
• Mentor and support the unionized faculty, staff, and graduate students in academic and professional endeavors.
• Serve as a team-builder to encourage interactions among faculty within the Department and among departments to achieve individual and departmental goals.
• Promote, facilitate, and enhance opportunities for corporate liaison, collaboration, and technological commercialization.
• Develop and supervise effective support staff and structure.
• Teach a minimum of one undergraduate or graduate course per year.
• Participate in research and/or diagnostic service programs.
• Support and promote the excellence of our multi-faceted teaching, research, and diagnostic service activities.
• Perform other responsibilities as related to the Department Head administrative duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Pathobiology (or a closely related discipline) or D.V.M. (or equivalent) degree.
• A record of scholarship and professional activities related to research, teaching, or diagnostic service that will qualify the individual to be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science.
• Demonstrated leadership in program development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to sustaining a mutually respectful environment and delivering quality academic programs that promote an inclusive work environment.
• Demonstrable commitment to enhancing the diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Evidence of excellence in research with a record of success in obtaining extramural funding.
• Demonstrated accomplishment in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• A professionally recognized program of scholarship.
• Demonstrated understanding of the operations of a service laboratory or extension service. 
• Proven ability to encourage consensus while coming to and executing decisions, while also promoting a collegial atmosphere.

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

This is a full-time, 9-month position with a 10th month of service in this administrative capacity. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the applicant’s experience. The University provides an extensive benefits package, which includes retirement and health insurance coverage. A start date between July 1 and August 23, 2022, is anticipated.  Applicants must meet University requirements for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with tenure.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19447 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that includes a statement of administrative experience and current interests/activities;
• Curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and service;
• Sample journal articles or books;
• List of contact information for three (3) professional references;

For the statements below please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College’s success in achieving its Strategic Vision.

• Statement of vision and leadership philosophy for the Department (up to 3 pages);
• Commitment to diversity statement that addresses goals to promote an environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (up to 2 pages);
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.).

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2021, and will continue until a successful candidate is selected.  Inquiries should be sent by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Szczepanek (steven.szczepanek@uconn.edu), with a copy to Ms. Virginia White (virginia.white@uconn.edu).

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All UConn employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. The diversity of students, faculty, and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians, and salutatorians who consistently make UCONN their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UCONN’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UCONN’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural, and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UCONN encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.