Department Head - Biological Systems Engineering

Department Head - Biological Systems Engineering Position Overview

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites applications for the position of Head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE). IANR is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and collaborative person who will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the department. We are looking for a strong leader who understands university teaching, research, and Extension and who will be able to use their knowledge and skills to help the department maximize its impact.

The successful department head will be one who puts the success of the team and department above their individual accomplishments in the role. The incumbent will be one who appreciates the unique contributions of agricultural, biological, and biomedical engineering research and education and how faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders can work together to address the most important challenges facing society.

The successful candidate will be committed to excellence wherever it is on the discovery‑to‑practice continuum. The incumbent will be a collaborative and inspiring department head who will hold fast to the university’s core values of accountability, inclusiveness, integrity, respect, and social responsibility. We seek a leader who recognizes the variety of expertise within our department and is committed to promoting the kind of teamwork and collaboration that enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and belongingness.

Biological Systems Engineering consists of over 250 undergraduate and graduate students, 38 faculty members, 16 staff members, and 8 postdoctoral fellows committed to high quality, innovative research and scholarship, accessible student‑focused education, and impactful Extension programming. In IANR, we aspire to treat every person and every interaction as important to our collective wellbeing and our ability to deliver on our mission.

The department head must be one who models and encourages this ethos.

The department is uniquely positioned for transdisciplinary work at the intersection of biological systems, agriculture, engineering, and biomedical research. BSE resides within IANR and also maintains a close working relationship and collaborations with administrators and faculty in the College of Engineering. The successful candidate will have the technical and interpersonal skills needed to manage the complexities of these relationships in ways that facilitate collaboration.

The head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering is charged with coordinating and promoting all aspects of the land‑grant mission within the department. The incumbent provides leadership and oversight of all BSE programming and initiatives. The department has three undergraduate degree programs, two of which are granted through the College of Engineering and one of which is granted through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR).

While the department maintains a strong working relationship with the College of Engineering, administrative reporting lines, department finances and personnel are managed through IANR. The incumbent manages financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize the effectiveness of those resources, exhibiting fiscal discipline and transparency. The head synthesizes a vision for BSE with input from faculty, staff, and stakeholders that encompasses all expertise areas, seeks and deploys personnel and financial resources strategically, and ensures that the strategic vision is continuously examined for relevancy, and refreshed as needed.

This is an 70% administrative appointment, with the remaining 30% being negotiable based on research, teaching, and Extension interests. This position will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The department head will be appointed to a five‑year renewable term, subject to satisfactory annual reviews and a formal reappointment process.

UNL offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.

• A Ph.D. in a…