Department Chair of Statistics

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

Iowa State University seeks nominations and applications for a Professor and Chair of its Department of Statistics, jointly administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The nationally recognized department has highly ranked graduate programs, strong undergraduate and graduate education, and research spanning statistical theory, methodology, and applications. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and provides statistical expertise to advance scientific discovery and address societal challenges. The Chair will provide leadership for the department and work with faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners, community stakeholders, university administrators, and both colleges. The role reports to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and includes serving on both colleges’ leadership teams. The successful candidate will advance the department’s strategic priorities and contribute to the missions of Iowa State University and the two colleges. The initial Chair appointment is for five years, with a formal review during the fourth year. The position is at-will at the pleasure of the Deans and is a nine-month appointment with two months of summer salary while serving as Chair. The proposed start date is July 1, 2027. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship; immigration sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

Ph.D. or academic equivalent in Statistics or a closely aligned field.
Meet university, college, and department requirements for appointment as a tenured full professor.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

A clear vision and commitment to the department’s growth and development, its contributions to college and university missions, and an appreciation of the broad spectrum of statistical research and practice.
A record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service consistent with a tenured faculty member, including evidence of generating sustained external funding.
Evidence of effective, collaborative leadership, such as higher-education administrative experience and the ability to advance shared goals and priorities.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal, external, and international stakeholders and partners.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership to serve the needs of faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, and citizens and fulfill the land-grant mission of the department, colleges, and university.
Serve the department and the deans’ offices, including as a collaborative member of both colleges’ leadership teams.
Communicate the department’s and colleges’ missions, vision, and strengths across the university and to external stakeholders and public- and private-sector collaborators.
Encourage and foster interdisciplinary collaboration with departments, centers, and institutes within and outside the university.
Foster collegiality, trust, empowerment, shared responsibility, individual initiative, professional growth, and leadership development.
Promote professionalism and accountability in achieving departmental goals.
Facilitate recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty and staff.
Stimulate and facilitate excellence and impact in research, teaching, outreach, and service.
Facilitate student recruitment and retention and support students’ academic and career success.
Manage departmental funds soundly and comply with college and university policies and practices for fiscal responsibility and management.
Nurture alumni relations and build alumni support.
Participate in activities on behalf of the department and college, which may include after-hours events and travel.