Director, Biological Sciences Program

MSU Internal Job Postings Details • East Lansing, MI

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Natural Science at Michigan State University is seeking a Director for the Biological Sciences (BioSci) Program. This role involves 60% administrative duties, with the remaining 40% dedicated to teaching, service, and/or research, negotiable based on the candidate's interests and qualifications. The position is a 12-month annual appointment with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. Applications are open to current MSU tenure-stream faculty, fixed-term faculty, academic staff, and continuing system academic specialists. The BioSci Program is a collaborative team of educators who deliver introductory biological sciences lecture and laboratory courses to approximately 6,000 students annually. These courses are foundational for biological science programs and related fields, with Honors versions also available. The curriculum is designed to foster student success through inclusive, supportive, and collaborative learning experiences, building essential biological knowledge and scientific practices for advanced study and careers. Faculty employ learner-centered, active-learning approaches focusing on core biological principles like evolution, structure and function, matter and energy transformation, and information flow, applying them to understand biological processes from molecules to ecosystems. Graduates are expected to think like scientists, engaging in questioning, model formulation and testing, evidence-based explanation, data analysis, and communication.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a biology-related field
• 5 years of college-level teaching experience in the biological sciences
• Demonstrated substantive experience with collaborative curriculum development including use of curriculum mapping and alignment, Backward Design, and Three-dimensional Learning (3DL).
• Knowledge of curriculum development, assessment, and evidence-based teaching practices in higher education
• Knowledge of undergraduate life science curriculum
• Skills in personnel management, supervision, and performance evaluation
• Ability to lead diverse teams, cultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture, and build strong partnerships that advance a shared vision and sense of community
• Ability to use data to inform decision-making, strategic planning, and continuous program improvement
• Knowledge of emerging artificial intelligence technologies and their implications for teaching, learning, assessment, and academic administration in higher education
• Skills in budget planning, resource management, and fiscal oversight
• Ability to address difficult situations with empathy and professionalism, resolve conflicts effectively, and promote a culture of trust, respect, and accountability
• Ability to adapt to evolving institutional priorities, educational practices, and societal needs while advancing program goals and student success.

Nice To Haves

• Engagement in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) or discipline-based education research (DBER)
• Experience teaching and successfully managing high-enrollment courses in the biological sciences
• Experience with personnel supervision and professional development, budget management, and academic administration
• Promotion to associate professor, professor, award of continuing status, or promotion to senior specialist

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of curricula in collaboration with curriculum coordinators to promote teaching excellence in BioSci.
• Support, mentor, and foster an inclusive environment for members of the BioSci community, including instructional faculty, support staff, undergraduate learning assistants, and graduate teaching assistants.
• Promote a culture of asking questions about student learning and thoughtful reflection on curriculum and teaching practices.
• Coordinate with and develop community among units across the college who provide instructional contributions to the BioSci program.
• Supervise faculty and support staff, including setting short- and long-term goals, ensuring completion of assigned responsibilities, providing regular performance feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and leading promotion processes.
• Implement administrative, personnel, and human resources decisions in a fair, transparent, and timely manner.
• Manage program resources, budgets, and facilities effectively and responsibly and communicate needs to Dean’s Office.
• Oversee academic planning and operations, including monitoring course enrollment trends and demand, determining section needs, coordinating program assessment, and leading BioSci’s participation in MSU's Academic Program Review process.
• Respond to student concerns and resolve student/instructor disputes as unit administrator.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree