Chair of Biology, Health, and the Environment (Integrative Biology)

Position Information

The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences invites applications for the Chair of the Department of Biology, Health and the Environment (BHE), formerly known as “Integrative Biology”.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in digital economy, human health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 35,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region.

UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness, the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property — for Texas, the nation, and the world.

In 2024, the UT System Board of Regents authorized the UT System to begin integrating UTSA and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio into one unified institution, establishing a world-class university that integrates academic, research, and clinical excellence to build a profoundly impactful university of the future. Driven by a vision for growth and impact, this merger will expand capacity to offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs, attract top-tier faculty and staff, develop innovative initiatives, and elevate transdisciplinary research to address the evolving needs of the region.

UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online, on UTSA Today or on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

College

The College of Sciences (COS) at UTSA is committed to innovation and excellence in the classroom and laboratory and is dedicated to producing the next generation of well-educated, highly trained professionals and leaders.

COS offers 17 undergraduate degree programs and 19 graduate degree programs in the life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics, which is supported by over 300 faculty members across 8 academic departments. COS is the UTSA’s second largest college in terms of undergraduate and graduate student enrollment. In Fall 2023, it recorded its highest student enrollment in college history with 5580 undergraduate students and 610 graduate and post-baccalaureate students.

COS is major contributor to UTSA’s Carnegie R1 status with its strong commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing real-world challenges. COS has grown its annual research expenditures to approximately $50 million with over 300 actively funded research projects in areas like brain health, infectious disease and artificial intelligence among other fields. COS is aligned with numerous research centers and institutes, including the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, Brain Health Consortium, and the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery. COS is also a collaborator with the National Security Collaboration Center and the School of Data Science. The COS faculty have been recognized for their excellence in research and includes several NSF CAREER recipients, AAAS fellows, National Academy of Inventor members, and senior members of national and international professional societies.

COS is dedicated to student success and providing the encouragement, assistance, and superior educational experience that students will need to succeed in the sciences, health and medicine, information technology, data science, and other ventures. COS has three faculty members who received the prestigious University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. The COS Student Success Center (SSC) was established in Fall 2020 to serve as a hub for all student success activities within the college, including peer mentoring, academic and career development workshops, and community building events, and is dedicated to helping students build their science identity. In 2023, three COS undergraduate students received the Barry Goldwater Scholars award, which recognized their outstanding work in research in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics fields. Four COS graduate students also received the NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowships to advance their graduate research education.

Visit the College of Sciences website to learn more.

Department

The Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment in the College of Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) consists of 13 tenure/tenure-track faculty and 46 fixed-term faculty members. The department offers undergraduate degrees in Biology (BS), Environmental Science (BS), Environmental Studies (BA), Multidisciplinary Science for Teaching (BS), and master’s degrees in Biology (MS) and Environmental Science (MS). The department participates in a joint PhD program in Environmental Science and Engineering with the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrative Design’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Our faculty and students have been recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for excellence in both research and teaching.

Visit the Department’s website to learn more.

Position Summary

Academic Department Chairs are essential and significant members of University leadership. The Chair represents their faculty colleagues to the administration and the administration to the faculty. They serve a critical role as a channel of communication on program, personnel, and budgetary matters. They encourage and foster excellence in research, teaching, and professional and university service. The Chair must provide crucial leadership in advancing the university’s pursuit of excellence, student success, and expansion of interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction to the faculty, students, and staff of BHE. 

The following are indicative of the Chair’s roles and responsibilities:

1. Provide leadership to achieve the highest level of excellence in research, educational, and service activities of the Department. The Chair articulates the goals of the unit and maintains a climate that promotes innovation, creativity, and interdisciplinary programs through effective leadership and collaboration.
2. Evaluate performance of faculty and staff and provide effective mentorship for faculty, staff, and students to ensure their individual success and development.
3. Foster partnerships and collaboration outside the department across the university.
4. Support faculty in research initiatives, facilitate grant applications, and promote interdisciplinary research opportunities.
5. Coordinate the execution of the Department’s educational and research programs with the faculty and assign instructors according to UTSA workload policy.
6. Plan and administer the department’s budget responsibly in support of its scholarship and teaching mission.
7. Oversee the safety, accessibility, and maintenance of facilities, including labs and equipment.
8. Engage with the community to promote the department’s programs and enhance public understanding of biology, health, and environmental issues.
9. Take up additional responsibilities and assignments in consultation with the dean, and other members of the University leadership.

Qualifications

Applicants for the Department Chair of Biology, Health, and the Environment should have:

• A doctorate in Biology or allied discipline in the life sciences. 
• A strong service record with demonstrated administrative experience in an academic setting. 
• A commitment to understanding and respecting the varied perspectives of faculty, staff, and students.
• The ability to remain current on topics in higher education as well as developments in the science. 
• Outstanding research and teaching records that warrant an appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure (contingent upon Board of Regents approval).

Preferred qualifications include: 

• Experience in an academic supervisory capacity/leadership position, 
• Knowledge of innovative curriculum development and implementation, 
• Evidence of supporting student success initiatives, 
• Leadership in professional organizations,
• Prior experience in creating partnerships with industry, K-12 schools, and other community stakeholders. 
• Previous administrative experience in an academic setting will be highly valued. 
• Prior experience teaching and mentoring students from varied backgrounds are also desirable, as are a demonstrated commitment to educational excellence at all levels, a passion for building strong collaborations within the department, college, and university, and strong communication skills.

Application Process

To apply applicants should provide the following:

• A cover letter highlighting the candidate’s professional development and leadership vision with regards to research and teaching.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Statements summarizing
• Research (up to 3 pages) including significant scientific contributions, and future research directions.
• Teaching (up to 2 pages) that demonstrates an understanding of what students need to be industry/business ready on graduation and vision for future engagement with undergraduate and graduate student body in the classroom and the lab (Existing teaching and mentorship contributions should also be included).
• Vision and Leadership (up to 2 pages) that includes a leadership philosophy and how it relates to the mission and vision of the department.
• Complete contact information of three (3) professional references, including name, address, email and telephone.

Review of the completed applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled, with priority being given to applicants who submit completed packets by November 4, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. UTSA employees enjoy a competitive, comprehensive, and family-friendly benefits package.

Application materials are submitted via the UTSA Talent Acquisition website (http://jobs.utsa.edu/).

Additional information about the Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment can be found on the following website: https://sciences.utsa.edu/integrative-biology. In addition, questions may be directed to the search committee chair Dr. Audrey Lamb [email protected].

Additional Information

• UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
• This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

Working Conditions

This position will be primarily located on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee’s responsibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.

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