The InstituteThe Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF) at Oklahoma State University is seeking candidates for the Director of the Institute. IBMF contributes science and tools for homeland security, microbial forensics, emerging plant and animal disease issues, food safety, and other topics related to potential threats (invasive diseases/pests, bioterrorism, etc.) by addressing critical and emerging research needs related to national and international plant, animal, food safety, and biosecurity issues. IBMF was the first academic entity in the U.S. to focus on these specific areas. The institute is in the multidisciplinary Henry Bellmon Research Center, on Stillwater’s Campus. IBMF is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for microbiology, molecular biology, and forensics in a 3,500 sq. ft. certified BSL-2 laboratory space. Additional laboratory space and equipment are available in the Noble Research Center. Current IBMF faculty members and affiliated faculty are well-experienced in microbial forensics, pathogen detection, disease diagnostics, vector entomology, food microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and population biology.
ResponsibilitiesThe successful candidate will serve in a 12-month tenure track administrative position as the Director of IBMF to provide strong and creative leadership to the IBMF team and coordinate efforts within the Ferguson College of Agriculture in conducting outstanding research, education and outreach that are responsive to stakeholders in Oklahoma, nationally, and internationally regarding defense, biosecurity, and food security and safety communities. The candidate will be expected to form strong collaborations with existing institutes and departments across the campus. The successful candidate will facilitate the development of cooperative programs, maintain a vision for Institute growth and success, and enhance capacity in emerging areas of research (microbial forensics, food/commodity safety and security, plant/animal pathogens transmitted by insects). Specifically, the Director will address and lead important and specific components of biosecurity research in, but not limited to, plant-insect interactions. The anticipated appointment will be Administration: 40% and Research: 60% with the possibility of a potential teaching appointment to address critical needs of the Entomology and Plant Pathology curriculum.
Administration: The IBMF Director will be responsible for providing leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and integrating institute programs in teaching, research, and extension. The IBMF Director will be responsible for managing the institute’s human resources and providing fiscal oversight of the annual operating budget. Responsible for leading efforts in grantsmanship that maintain and expand the scope of the institute, and collaboratively work with the Vice President and Associate Deans of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to develop strategic goals for the Institute.
Research: The IBMF Director will develop an externally-funded, stakeholder-targeted research program related to agricultural/food biosecurity and microbial forensics, and will actively seek funding and facilitate funding efforts to support research, graduate education in agricultural biosecurity, and vector-pathogen interactions or other focus area of plant-insect biology pertinent to agricultural biosecurity such as invasive species plant pathology, and may include plant and/or animal health, food microbiology, etc. This will require leadership in creating and leading interactive and interdisciplinary scientific teams, including collaborations within and outside of IBMF, the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and Oklahoma State University to improve agricultural health and food biosecurity in commodities relevant to Oklahoma and the United States.
Teaching: Qualified candidates with an interest in teaching courses that contribute to Entomology and Plant Pathology curriculum are highly encouraged to apply.
Outreach: This position will carry no formal Extension appointment, but the incumbent will have occasional opportunities to provide educational programs or exercises related to biosecurity and attribution of potential biosecurity violations/bioterrorism/biocriminal events to Federal groups, such as the FBI and USDA, as well as to Oklahoma entities such as the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. These opportunities will target diverse communities and stakeholders including law enforcement, regulatory officials, security agencies, crop producers, food handlers and processors, plant and animal disease diagnosticians, Cooperative Extension educators, and researchers.
QualificationsCandidates must have a Ph.D. in one of the following disciplines: Entomology, Biology, Plant Pathology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Forensic Sciences, or another relevant discipline, and have demonstrated scholarly achievement in research meriting appointment as an Associate or Full professor with tenure in Entomology and Plant Pathology within the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Preference will be given to individuals having knowledge of, connections with, and a history of productive collaborations and established interactions with members of Federal and international law enforcement, security, and policy-making agencies such as APHIS, CDC, DOD, DHS, CPHST, FBI, etc. To remain at the center of national focus for such issues, the incumbent must be a U.S. citizen and be eligible for federal security clearances.
Strategic PlanThis position fulfills needs within the OSU Strategic Plan, specifically in the priority areas of Innovating to Nourish the World and Enhancing Human and Animal Health (OneHealth). It is also aimed at elevating OSU's status among the ranks of R1 universities and leveraging this top-tier status to advance research that impacts society. The goal is to attract high-talent innovators to drive transdisciplinary discovery and fulfill the Land-Grant mission.
Employment ConditionsInitial consideration will be given to applications received by 05/15/2024. Applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been identified. OSU has a great benefits package, information about benefits and more can be found at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html.
Applications/NominationsSubmit nominations and/or address questions to: Dr. Justin Talley, Chair, IBMF Director Search and Screen Committee, 405-744-5643 justin.talley@okstate.edu Nominations should include the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of the nominee.
Formal applications must be submitted electronically to: https://jobs.okstate.edu (Search by req17542). Applicant materials should include:
- A letter indicating interest, qualifications and experience
- Curriculum vita
- A statement of leadership philosophy
- A list of three professional references with telephone number and e-mail address for those who may be contacted
- At least three letters of recommendation
To learn more about OSU Agriculture and Stillwater, visit these websites:
- https://agriculture.okstate.edu
- https://agresearch.okstate.edu
- https://extension.okstate.edu
- https://www.okstate.edu
- https://www.visitstillwater.org
- https://www.stillwaterchamber.org
