Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

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POSITION SPECIFICS

Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) at The Pennsylvania State University seeks applications for an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as its next Department Head . The Department Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and serves on the executive leadership teams in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Department

Administered by the College of Agricultural Sciences and formally aligned with the College of Engineering, the ABE department is composed of 23 faculty, nine affiliated faculty, eight staff, and 120 graduate and undergraduate students. Its undergraduate and graduate programs consistently rank in the top 10 in the US.

The ABE department has two undergraduate degree programs: 1) Biological Engineering and 2) Agricultural and Biorenewable Systems Management, as well as two M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs: 1) Agricultural and Biological Engineering and 2) Biorenewable Systems. Research and Extension in the department include a broad portfolio focused on food and bioprocessing; bioproducts including those from crops, livestock, and forestry; natural resources engineering; agricultural engineering; business; and ethics. The ABE department is housed in a 93,500 sq. ft. building with state-of-the-art research, teaching, and collaborative spaces. The building is also home to the CSL Behring fermentation facility, one of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences’ core facilities. More information is available at https://abe.psu.edu/ .

College and University

Founded in 1855, Penn State University has campuses and facilities across the Commonwealth and is ranked among the top public universities in the nation with linkages around the globe. The College of Agricultural Sciences leads the University’s land grant mission with the integration of teaching, research, and Extension. The College employs over 1,200 full-time employees, including nearly 300 faculty, and is the home of nearly 3,300 graduate and undergraduate students. Its nine academic departments offer 17 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate programs, and 31 other minors and certificates. Research expenditures in the College exceeded $140M in FY25, and through our robust Extension portfolio, research-based educational programs are offered in all 67 counties and online. The College is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning and a working environment where everyone can succeed.

Responsibilities

The person filling this position serves as the Departmental program leader and administrative officer. Duties include:

Create and maintain an environment that facilitates: 1) a strong sense of community; 2) an effective shared vision; 3) a highly productive, innovative, and entrepreneurial faculty and staff; 4) collaborative opportunities, and 5) a mutually supportive, inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment for students, staff, and faculty.

Lead faculty and staff in implementing and enhancing the Department’s undergraduate and graduate education programs, research programs, Cooperative Extension, and outreach initiatives to ensure programs are responsive to the evolving interests and needs of students and society.

Create a supportive environment for faculty at all stages of their careers by being a good role model and by developing creative and effective strategies for mentoring and faculty support.

Guide and enhance the Department’s research environment to ensure that programs meet the needs of stakeholders and sponsors.

Proactively engage in teaching, research and Extension programs, and enhance the Department’s state, national and international reputation.

Support development programs to attract external support for educational programs, research initiatives, centers and institutes, and Extension engagement strategies.

Administer and manage the Department’s academic affairs, personnel, finances, and physical facilities.

Represent, promote and advocate for the Department within the College and University, and with disciplinary groups, alumni and other private and public stakeholders within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Qualifications

Earned doctorate in a field relevant to ABE's mission and a distinguished record of scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, sufficient to qualify for appointment as a tenured professor.

Strong commitment to fostering a positive departmental culture grounded in integrity, inclusive excellence, participatory decision-making, and excellence in teaching, research, extension, and service.

Significant understanding of the evolving mission of the land-grant university system, and the opportunities and challenges facing public research and education institutions.

Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and supporting the professional development of faculty, staff, and students at all career stages.

Demonstrated ability to manage budgets strategically and balance diverse priorities and resource needs.

Understanding of state and national funding environments and experience developing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations.

Strong leadership, communication, and advocacy skills, with experience advancing organizational priorities through effective personnel management, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising.

Familiarity with accreditation processes and assessment of academic programs.

Applications should include:

A letter of application that states an applicant’s specific interest in the position, qualifications, previous professional and administrative responsibilities, and achievements;

Statement of vision for the future of our profession;

Statement of leadership and management philosophy, including examples of effective leadership of teams;

Curriculum vitae (C.V.) which includes statement of current position and responsibilities;

Contact information for five professional references.

System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.

Applications will be reviewed beginning December 1, 2026 and will be accepted until a suitable candidate is chosen. Desired start date is July 1, 2027 or as negotiated. Inquiries should be addressed to the search committee chair: Dr. David Abler at dga2@psu.edu . Applications must be submitted on Penn State’s online job website ( hr.psu.edu/careers ).

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a m