Opportunity Details

Biology and Biomedical Sciences

Tenure

Commensurate w/Experience

Associate Dean for Graduate Education

The Associate Dean for DBBS will be the principal leader for promoting the educational mission, overseeing the portfolio of PhD graduate programs, and assuring that DBBS remains a recognized leader in graduate training and education. The Associate Dean is expected to be a full-time member of the faculty, and therefore a scholar and researcher with a high level of recognition in their academic field. The Associate Dean will hold an appointment in an academic department affiliated with DBBS, and they will be expected to remain active in research and teaching. The effort of the Associate Dean will be divided approximately equally between activities related to DBBS administration and activities related to their academic appointment.

In the framework of a strategic vision for DBBS that he/she will establish collaboratively with the Oversight Committee and the Executive Council, the Associate Dean will manage wide-ranging responsibilities for this premier academic enterprise. Effectively managing the administrative staff resources of the Division and efficiently engaging participating faculty and the appointed Directors/Co-Directors of the programs, the Associate Dean will be responsible for the Division’s programs, financial and human resources, administrative support functions, communications, and overall performance. 

 Strategic

  •  With input from the Oversight Committee, the Executive Council, Division faculty, students, and alumni, and other stakeholders within and beyond the University, develop and complete a long-range planning process that will create a comprehensive strategic plan for DBBS that is aligned with the education and research missions of the University and that advances DBBS’ distinctive mission in graduate-level basic-science education and training.
  • Implement long-range strategic educational and financial plans to achieve and sustain eminence for DBBS.
  • Reconceive and strengthen the support services provided to DBBS students during their education and as they begin their post-DBBS careers.
  • Implement plans to increase and maintain diversity and inclusion academically and administratively; participate in tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of these initiatives to ensure that DBBS is a leader in this activity within the University and across its peer group.
  • Prepare and present to the Executive Council and the Oversight Committee an annual report on the State of the DBBS describing and assessing the status of DBBS and providing recommendations for the Division going forward.

 Programmatic

  • Assess the effectiveness of the curriculum, evaluate revisions and reforms of the curriculum, and make decisions about curriculum in consultation with Steering-Committee and program faculty.
  • Appoint graduate program directors to renewable terms of service, in consultation with Steering-Committee and program faculty.
  • Assess program academic and fiscal performance, including performance of program directors and steering committees; oversee the implementation of recommendations provided in program reviews.
  • Review and approve recommendations made by the steering committee of each program for steering committee membership.
  • Serve as an ex officio member of every program steering committee.
  • Oversee the process of selection of faculty for membership in DBBS, including decisions regarding DBBS membership renewal.

Financial

  • Develop a long-term financial plan for DBBS in consultation with the Oversight Committee and the Executive Council; funding resources for DBBS include distributions from endowments, training grants, development activity, and contributions from departments.
  • Identify and evaluate possible revenue enhancements from possible internal and external sources.
  • Prepare the annual budget for DBBS and present the budget to the Executive Council and Oversight Committee.

Administrative

  • Direct student affairs including admissions, recruitment, tuition, and stipends, strengthening this suite of functions and connecting DBBS services to Danforth and School of Medicine services so that students have access to seamless institutional support in their educational experience and across their other professional endeavors
  • Chair the Programs and Student Affairs committee of DBBS, which is composed of program directors.

 

 

The successful candidate will have a doctorate degree with a proven record of accomplishment in graduate research training and will be qualified for appointment as a tenured Associate or Full Professor in one of the DBBS-affiliated departments of Arts & Sciences, the School of Medicine or the School of Engineering & Applied Science.  The ideal candidate will possess:

  • Demonstrable leadership experience in graduate education including curriculum development and implementation, assessment, and instruction.
  • Demonstrable management experience leading and motivating teams and staff to successful outcomes.
  • A distinguished record as a researcher, graduate educator, and as an administrator with a track record of creating a vision, providing strategic direction, and creating an environment to stimulate graduate education endeavors; academic credentials sufficient to merit tenure at the University.
  • A deep understanding of the challenging issues facing graduate education and biomedical research today, the dynamics of leading a campus-wide enterprise at a research university, and of the complex financial issues facing graduate schools, universities and faculty researchers.
  • Preferably experience with budgetary responsibility within an academic department, or research center or within central university administration in a research-intensive university.
  • Demonstrated appreciation for and participation in efforts and initiatives designed to recruit and retain those historically underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with an engaging professional presentation and leadership style that encourages consensus building and cooperation among executive leadership, administrators and faculty.

Washington University in St. Louis has engaged Opus Partners (www.opuspartners.net) to support the recruitment of the Associate Dean. Inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations may be sent to the Opus Partners principals leading the search, Craig Smith, PhD, Partner, and Jennifer Rumain, Consultant via craig.smith@opuspartners.net and jennifer.rumain@opuspartners.net. Candidates are invited to email a pdf containing curriculum vitae and brief letter describing their interest and qualifications. Candidates may also apply via: https://facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/Posting/Detail/1010079. A background check will be conducted on the selected candidate. All possible discretion will be exercised to maintain the privacy of applicants throughout the search process. Applications received by January 31 will receive full consideration.

A position profile with more information regarding the position and the Division is available by email request to Craig Smith.

 

Melissa Torres, Assistant to the Chair

torresm@wustl.edu

(314) 362-0287

11/14/2016

9/7/2017

4/6/2017

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. It is the university’s policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Washington University seeks an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty; women, minorities, protected veterans and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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