Department Head for Mathematics and Statistics and Professor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 158,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

South Dakota State University invites applications for the Department Head and Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The successful candidate will lead the unit, be part of the JJLCOE, and advance data science and statistics programs in Brookings.

This 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position reports to the Dean, with anticipated start January 2027, and requires a Ph.D. and a tenure-track record.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mathematics, statistics, data science, or closely related field by date of application.
• A distinguished record of teaching, research, scholarship, and service consistent with eligibility for tenure and rank of Professor at SDSU.
• Evidence of effective leadership and administrative skills including management of budgets and personnel.
• Experience securing competitive grants from federal, industry, or corporate sources.
• Understanding of the land-grant mission.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in alignment with SDSU's Pathway to Premier 2030.
• Identify future growth and investment areas while providing organizational leadership.
• Oversee high-quality service courses and engage with client departments to determine needs.
• Monitor general education trends and implement high-impact teaching strategies.
• Advocate for the department within and outside the University and foster collaborations.

Skills

Leadership

Grant funding

Communication

Mentoring

Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Mathematics/Statistics/Data Science

Job description

Posting Details

Institution: South Dakota State University

Working Title: Department Head for Mathematics and Statistics and Professor

Posting Number: F01929P

Department: SDSU-Mathematics & Statistics

Physical Location of Position (City): Brookings

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Math & Stat) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applicants for the Department Head and Professor position. We are looking for a dynamic and collaborative leader who is committed to providing a rigorous and practical educational experience with an emphasis on expanding federally funded research and graduate programs to support South Dakota State University's R1 Our Way mission, as well as establishing and providing scientific support to local industry and government. This position is 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position, located in Brookings SD and reports to the Dean of the Jerome J. Johr College of Engineering (JJLCOE). Anticipated start of January 2027. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the following undergraduate programs: AS in Data Science, BS in Data Science, and BS in Mathematics. The BS in Mathematics includes the following specialty areas: Actuarial/Financial Concentration, Applied Mathematics Concentration, Data Science Concentration, and Teaching Specialization. Graduate programs include the following: Data Science Certificate, MS in Data Science, MS in Mathematics, MS in Statistics, and PhD in Computational Science and Statistics. Many students in our vibrant graduate program serve in GTA and GRA positions. Currently, the department has approximately 180 undergraduate majors, 60 graduate students, 17 tenure-track faculty, and 9 full-time lecturers. Two of the tenured faculty serve as Assistant Department Head and Graduate Coordinator. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Key Responsibilities

The Department Head will work closely with the Dean and the leadership team of the JJLCOE to promote the land-grant mission and an ambitious agenda to address the world’s grand challenges in the areas of mathematics, statistics, and data science. The selected candidate is expected to be the leader in identifying future areas of growth and investment while providing organizational and administrative expertise to the Department and the College. The candidate is expected to steer the growth of the department consistent with SDSU's refreshed strategic plan titled "Pathway to Premier 2030". The strategic plan includes a goal to elevate SDSU as a research university and pursue a pathway to achieve designation as an R1 Research University by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is imperative that this position maintains an understanding of current and emerging needs in mathematics, statistics, and data science to guide both research and teaching initiatives. It is the Department Head's responsibility to lead the faculty in their efforts to provide high-quality service courses at all levels, engage with client departments to determine their course needs, monitor trends in general education and service courses, and implement high-impact teaching and learning strategies. Along with leadership, the Department Head is an advocate for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics both within and outside the University, fostering a commitment to interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration.

Benefits

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mathematics, statistics, data science, or closely related field by date of application.


• A distinguished record of teaching, research, scholarship, and service consistent with eligibility for tenure and rank of Professor at SDSU in the Math & Stat Department. Standards documents are available upon request.


• Evidence of effective leadership and administrative skills including management of academic and research programs, managing complex budgets, fiscal matters, and/or personnel within an academic setting.


• Experience securing competitive grants for research from federal, industry, and/or corporate sources.


• An understanding of the land-grant mission.


• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring faculty in developing strategies for pursuing external funding and in creating strong research programs.


• Experience in academic administration, including the development, evaluation and oversight of undergraduate academic programs, curricula and/or instructional operations.


• Experience interacting and cultivating relationships with businesses in the medical, insurance, and financial sectors in the region.


• Familiarity with ABET accreditation process.


• Engagement in professional organizations for mathematics & statistics (e.g., SIAM, AMS, MAA, ASA, etc.)

Job Details

Posting Date: 08/10/2026

First Consideration Date: 09/07/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Advertised Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $175,000.

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Proposed Rank: Professor

Appointment Type: Regular

Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with over $94million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact Sanjeev Kumar at [e-mail].