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The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites nominations and applications for the position of Head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. IANR is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and collaborative person who will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the department. We are looking for a strong leader who understands university teaching, research, and Extension and who will be able to use their knowledge and skills to help the department maximize its impact. The successful department head will be one who puts the success of the team and department above their individual accomplishments in the role. The incumbent will be one who appreciates the unique contributions of agricultural, biological, and biomedical engineering research and education and how faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders can work together to address the most important challenges facing society. The successful candidate will be committed to excellence wherever it is on the discovery-to-practice continuum. The incumbent will be a collaborative and inspiring department head who will hold fast to the university’s core values of accountability, inclusiveness, integrity, respect, and social responsibility. We seek a leader who recognizes the diversity of expertise within our department and is committed to promoting the kind of teamwork and collaboration that enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and belongingness.
Biological Systems Engineering consists of over 250 undergraduate and graduate students, 38 faculty members, 16 staff members, and 8 postdoctoral fellows committed to high quality, innovative research and scholarship, accessible student-focused education, and impactful Extension programming. In IANR, we aspire to treat every person and every interaction as important to our collective wellbeing and our ability to deliver on our mission. The Head must be one who models and encourages this ethos.
The department is uniquely positioned for transdisciplinary work at the intersection of biological systems, agriculture, engineering, and biomedical research. BSE resides within IANR and also maintains a close working relationship and collaborations with administrators and faculty in the College of Engineering. The successful Head will have the technical and interpersonal skills needed to manage the complexities of these relationships in ways that facilitate collaboration.