Director, Institute and Microbial Forensics
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma
The Institute
The Institute for Biosecurityand Microbial Forensics (IBMF) at Oklahoma State University is seekingcandidates for the Director of the Institute. IBMF contributes science andtools for homeland security, microbial forensics, emerging plant and animaldisease issues, food safety, and other topics related to potential threats(invasive diseases/pests, bioterrorism, etc.) by addressing critical andemerging research needs related to national and international plant, animal,food safety, and biosecurity issues. IBMFwas the first academic entity in the U.S. to focus on these specific areas. Theinstitute is in the multidisciplinary Henry Bellmon Research Center, on Stillwater'sCampus. IBMF is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for microbiology, molecular biology, and forensics in a3,500 sq. ft. certified BSL-2 laboratory space. Additionallaboratory space and equipment are available in the Noble Research Center. CurrentIBMF faculty members and affiliated faculty are well-experienced in microbialforensics, pathogen detection, disease diagnostics, vector entomology, foodmicrobiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and population biology. Responsibilities
The successful candidate will serve in a 12-month tenuretrack administrative position as the Director of IBMF to provide strong andcreative leadership to the IBMF team and coordinate efforts within the FergusonCollege of Agriculture in conducting outstanding research, education andoutreach that are responsive to stakeholders in Oklahoma, nationally, andinternationally regarding defense, biosecurity, and food security and safetycommunities. The candidate will beexpected to form strong collaborations with existing institutes and departmentsacross the campus. The successful candidate will facilitate the development ofcooperative programs, maintain a vision for Institute growth and success, andenhance capacity in emerging areas of research (microbial forensics,food/commodity safety and security, plant/animal pathogens transmitted byinsects). Specifically, the Director will address and lead important andspecific 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 appointmentto address critical needs of the Entomology and Plant Pathologycurriculum. Administration: The IBMF Directorwill be responsible for providing leadership in planning, developing, implementing,and integrating institute programs in teaching, research, and extension. TheIBMF Director will be responsible for managing the institute's human resources andproviding fiscal oversight of the annual operating budget. Responsible forleading efforts in grantsmanship that maintain and expand the scope of theinstitute, and collaboratively work with the Vice President and Associate Deansof the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to develop strategic goalsfor the Institute. Research: The IBMF Director will develop anexternally-funded, stakeholder-targeted research program related toagricultural/food biosecurity and microbial forensics, and will actively seekfunding and facilitate funding efforts to support research, graduate educationin agricultural biosecurity, and vector-pathogeninteractions or other focus area of plant-insect biology pertinent toagricultural biosecurity such as invasivespecies plant pathology, and may include plant and/or animal health, food microbiology,etc. This will require leadership in creating and leading interactive andinterdisciplinary scientific teams, including collaborations within and outsideof IBMF, the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and Oklahoma State University toimprove agricultural health and food biosecurity in commodities relevant toOklahoma and the United States. Teaching: Qualified candidates with aninterest in teaching courses that contribute to Entomology and Plant Pathologycurriculum are highly encouraged to apply. Outreach: Thisposition will carry no formal Extension appointment, but the incumbent willhave occasional opportunities to provide educational programs or exercisesrelated to biosecurity and attribution of potential biosecurity violations/bioterrorism/biocriminalevents to Federal groups, such as the FBI and USDA, as well as to Oklahomaentities such as the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.These opportunities will target diverse communities and stakeholders includinglaw enforcement, regulatory officials, security agencies, crop producers, foodhandlers and processors, plant and animal disease diagnosticians, CooperativeExtension educators, and researchers. Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in one of the followingdisciplines: Entomology, Biology, PlantPathology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Forensic Sciences, or anotherrelevant discipline, and have demonstrated scholarly achievement in researchmeriting appointment as an Associate or Full professor with tenure inEntomology and Plant Pathology within the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Preference will be given to individualshaving knowledge of, connections with, and a history of productivecollaborations and established interactions with members of Federal andinternational law enforcement, security, and policy-making agencies such asAPHIS, CDC, DOD, DHS, CPHST, FBI, etc. To remain at the center of nationalfocus for such issues, the incumbent must be a U.S. citizen and be eligible forfederal security clearances.
Strategic Plan
This position fulfills needs within the OSU Strategic Plan,specifically in the priority areas of Innovating to Nourish the World andEnhancing Human and Animal Health (OneHealth). It is also aimed at elevatingOSU's status among the ranks of R1 universities and leveraging this top-tierstatus to advance research that impacts society. The goal is to attracthigh-talent innovators to drive transdisciplinary discovery and fulfill theLand-Grant mission. Employment Conditions
Initial consideration will be given to applications receivedby 05/15/2024. Applications andnominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been identified. OSUhas a great benefits package, information about benefits and more can be foundat
Applications/Nominations
Submit nominations and/or address questions to: Dr. Justin Talley, Chair, IBMF DirectorSearch and Screen Committee, Nominationsshould include the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of thenominee.
Formal applications must be submitted electronicallyto:
(Search by req17542). Applicant materials should include:
* A letter indicating interest, qualifications andexperience
* Curriculum vita
* A statement of leadership philosophy
* A list of three professional references with telephonenumber and e-mail address for those who may be contacted
* At least three letters of recommendation
To learnmore about OSU Agriculture and Stillwater, visit these websites:
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* Equal Employment Opportunity
Oklahoma State University, as anequal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state lawsregarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma StateUniversity is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individualsand does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, nationalorigin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression,disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programsand activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit
