Plant Sciences Department Head — Lead Teaching & Research

Southern Weed Science Society; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo invites applications for a full-time 12-month Department Head position in Plant Sciences. This tenured role provides leadership across instruction, research, and engagement with alumni, donors, and industry.

The successful candidate will lead 7 tenure-line faculty, ~7 lecturers, and 7 staff, overseeing facilities and a broad Plant Sciences program including crops, horticulture, and related fields.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in crop science, plant science, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology or related field.
• Tenured appointment at Full Professor rank with distinguished record.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and workload management abilities.
• Commitment to inclusive, nondiscriminatory learning and working environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Plant Sciences through instruction, research, and engagement.
• Lead faculty and staff, budgeting, facilities, and program resources.
• Drive curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning.
• Advance teaching excellence across modalities and engage in scholarly activities.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Fundraising

Curriculum development

Teaching excellence

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Communications

Mentoring

Interdisciplinary work

Education

Ph.D. in crop science/plant science/related field

Tools

Instructional technology

Job description

Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo invites applications for a full-time 12-month Department Head position in Plant Sciences. This tenured role provides leadership across instruction, research, and engagement with alumni, donors, and industry.

The successful candidate will lead 7 tenure-line faculty, ~7 lecturers, and 7 staff, overseeing facilities and a broad Plant Sciences program including crops, horticulture, and related fields.