Professor and Head, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

POSITION SUMMARY

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science. This is a 12-month tenured position. We seek a dynamic and visionary leader who will foster excellence in teaching research and Extension programs. The department head is responsible for executing a department-developed strategic vision for the department to support UTIAs Land Grant mission of advancing agriculture and natural resources through research education and service.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science is an integral part of UTIA. It is a unique combination of agricultural engineering soil science environmental science construction science and management and biosystems engineering faculty. It has close academic research and Extension connections with other UTIA departments with other colleges and units at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and with collaborative research partners at nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Department includes award-winning faculty who advance knowledge through research in precision agriculture water resources soil health energy systems bioprocessing environmental quality AI and sensor technology circular bioeconomy and sustainable land use. High-quality graduate and undergraduate programs are offered in biosystems engineering environmental and soil sciences construction science and management and biosystems engineering technology. The teaching program in biosystems engineering is closely aligned with course offerings in Tickle College of Engineering. Extension faculty are actively engaged in high-impact educational programs across the state on issues important to Tennessee and the nation. Department personnel include 34 AgResearch Extension and Teaching faculty (16 biosystems engineering 5 construction science and management and 13 soil and environmental science) 5 professional staff and 4 support staff. Funding comes from recurring appropriated funds and active and successful grants and contracts programs. Unique strengths of the Department include the ability to approach research and Extension problems with multidisciplinary teams of engineers and soil scientists.

Additional information about the department is available at and more information on the Knoxville area can be found at DESCRIPTION

The Department Heads responsibilities include leadership of all departmental programs and administrative responsibility for planning fiscal management human resources and facilities. The Department Head reports to the Deans of AgResearch UT Extension and the Herbert College of Agriculture working with their offices to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. The Head guides the Department in its mission to deliver nationally and internationally recognized programs in teaching research and Extension. The Head helps articulate and promote the Departments vision to provide high quality relevant education and training for undergraduate and graduate students that encompasses the vision of the University of Tennessee - a world enriched by our ideas improved through action and inspired by the Volunteer spirit of service and leadership- thus positioning students to take their places as academic and industry leaders in the state of Tennessee and the world.

The Department Head will serve as the chief executive officer of the department and will be responsible for providing dynamic visionary leadership in the following key areas:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide direction for the departments teaching research Extension and service missions ensuring alignment with institute and university goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with faculty staff students administration alumni industry partners advisory groups and external constituencies to establish priorities and guide departmental growth.

• Faculty and Staff Development: Recruit support mentor and evaluate a diverse team of faculty and staff; lead efforts in performance management retention and professional development.

• Student Success: Oversee student recruitment advising and support efforts to enhance enrollment retention and student achievement within the departments disciplines.

• Academic Program Quality: Ensure the health accreditation and continuous improvement of academic programs maintaining high standards for teaching and learning outcomes.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Promote a positive collegial and inclusive departmental culture that values diversity teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Resource Management: Effectively manage departmental budgets human resources and facilities; identify and cultivate external funding and sponsored opportunities to support program growth.

• Visibility and Advocacy: Enhance the visibility of all three programs of the department (biosystems engineering environmental and soil science construction science and management) through the promotion of faculty achievements and advocacy efforts at the institute university state and national levels.

• Faculty Mentorship: Implement and oversee a structured faculty mentoring program for tenure-track faculty ensuring long-term support through multi-member mentoring committees.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation is competitive and will be based on experience and qualifications. The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees including health and dental insurance life insurance and multiple retirement plans. Additional information can be found at THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AND THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE:

The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and is classified as a Carnegie R1 (Doctoral Universities Very High Research Activity) institution. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) provides Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching discovery and outreach. UTIA is committed to excellence in developing solutions to agricultural environmental and natural resource challenges across Tennessee and beyond.

UTIA is located in Knoxville a vibrant city surrounded by beautiful natural areas including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offering an excellent quality of life.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must:

• Qualify for the rank of Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science with an earned PhD in agricultural engineering soil science environmental science construction science or closely related field and a distinguished record of scholarly achievement.

• Be able to provide visionary leadership for Extension research and teaching programs of the Department

• Have demonstrated interest in and understanding of the Land Grant philosophy

• Possess strong interpersonal communication and decision-making skills

• Have a strong commitment to development of faculty staff and students and a proven ability to foster collaboration across disciplines and institutions

• Demonstrate administrative and leadership experience including supervision of personnel fiscal management and strategic planning

• Articulate strategic vision and long-term goals for the Department

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS We seek a collegial leader with:

• Experience working within a land-grant university system;

• Experience in and a willingness to engage in assessing priorities strategic planning and implementation and adaptability to change in a multidisciplinary environment;

• Skills in effective management of personnel and a desire to encourage productive teamwork;

• Demonstrated fiscal and resource management skills and a commitment to financial transparency;

• International reputation in specialty area successful grantsmanship at regional and national levels and active involvement in appropriate scientific societies;

• Evidence of positive group leadership at the department level and/or in multi-investigator projects.