Department Head, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

Job Description

Colorado State University:

Colorado State University (CSU) is Colorado’s land-grant university and a Carnegie R1 research institution. CSU advances teaching, research, engagement, and service for the benefit of Colorado, the nation, and the world. Located in Fort Collins, CSU offers a highly collaborative environment for interdisciplinary scholarship and education, with broad strengths in the life sciences, veterinary medicine, public health, agriculture, engineering, data science, and environmental sustainability.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:

The CSU land grant mission is dedicated to education, research, service, and outreach which permeates the college. CVMBS’ vision is to advance the well-being of animals, people, and the planet. CVMBS offers undergraduate, professional, and graduate courses of study, and confers Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in a range of biomedical and veterinary medical topic areas. The College is comprised of four departments: Biomedical Sciences; Clinical Sciences; Environmental Health and Radiological Sciences; and Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. CVMBS is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and has been highly ranked in national surveys, including U.S. News & World Report, Blue Ridge Institute, and Planetary Health Report Card. CVMBS faculty explore a variety of pivotal issues in human and animal health via world-renowned research programs in infectious disease, orthopedics, neuroscience, cancer biology, animal reproduction, and translational medicine, with annual extramural funding in the range of $60-100M. CVMBS has created the Veterinary Health System (VHS) to provide oversight management of operations of four clinical units and the state diagnostic laboratory to provide a collective and efficient approach to patient care delivered with the highest level of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine.

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology:

The Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology (MIP) comprises more than 80 faculty, and over 400 staff, trainees, and students united by a commitment to addressing consequential problems in animal and human health. MIP is a broad, interdisciplinary department with missions in discovery, education, clinical and diagnostic services, and engagement. With greater than 90 faculty, expertise spans anatomic and clinical pathology, bacteriology, cancer biology, clinical diagnostics, computational biology, genomics, immunology, microbiomes, mycobacterial diseases, parasitology, prion biology, RNA biology, science pedagogy, scientific communication, vector biology, and virology.

The department contributes to undergraduate and graduate education, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, residency and advanced clinical training, and instruction for students at the University of Colorado School of Medicine program at CSU. MIP is intricately connected with the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, the VHS, and the One Health Institute, and includes major research enterprises such as the Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, and the Prion Research Center. This breadth along with a presence on all three CSU campuses in Fort Collins creates exceptional opportunities for collaboration across basic science, clinical medicine, diagnostics, public health, and One Health research. More information about the department is available in the Department Head Prospectus.

Position Summary:

CVMBS invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. The Department Head will provide strategic, academic, scientific, administrative, and cultural leadership for a large and highly interdisciplinary department. The successful candidate will articulate an ambitious and inclusive vision; foster excellence across research, education, diagnostic and clinical service, and engagement; steward human, financial, and physical resources; and create conditions in which faculty, staff, and trainees can thrive.

The Department Head reports to the Dean of CVMBS and serves as a member of the College’s senior leadership team. The Head will work in close partnership with MIP associate department heads, center and program directors, the department administrative team, other academic department heads, the Veterinary Health System, and the leadership of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. The Head will represent and advocate for MIP within CSU and with external academic, government, industry, philanthropic, and community partners.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Sunday, 10/25/2026, 11:59pm (MT). Review of applications will begin on 10/26/2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Salary:

$250,000-$300,000; signing bonus possible.

Leadership Opportunities and Priorities:

• Engage the MIP community in developing and implementing a forward-looking strategic vision that builds on established strengths while identifying emerging opportunities in research, education, diagnostics, service, and engagement.

• Advance a supportive, accountable, and collaborative organizational culture grounded in the CSU Principles of Community and the CVMBS values of community, integrity, collaboration, and innovation.

• Develop and mentor faculty and staff across career stages; promote transparent workload, evaluation, promotion, recognition, and succession practices; and cultivate future leaders.

• Enhance educational excellence and integration across undergraduate, graduate, professional, residency, and medical curricula, while supporting innovation in teaching and trainee development.

• Strengthen the department’s research portfolio by supporting faculty success, facilitating interdisciplinary and team science, recruiting strategically, and expanding partnerships and resources for discovery and translation.

• Partner with the Veterinary Health System and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories to sustain and advance high-quality diagnostic, clinical, and service programs and to strengthen connections among diagnostics, research, and education.

• Ensure responsible financial and operational stewardship, including strategic budgeting, space and infrastructure planning, research support, administrative effectiveness, and risk management.

• Increase the visibility, influence, and external engagement of MIP and communicate the department’s contributions to animal health, human health, public health, and scientific discovery.

• Position the department for its next era of growth by expanding student and trainee recruitment and educational opportunities while cultivating innovative, and diversified sources of support for its research portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D., D.V.M., M.D., or equivalent terminal degree in a discipline relevant to the department.

• A record of scholarly achievement and professional distinction that merits appointment as Professor with tenure in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic, research, clinical, diagnostic, governmental, or comparably complex organization.

• Evidence of effective administrative, personnel, and fiscal management.

• A sustained commitment to excellence in research, education, service, and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications and Leadership Attributes:

• A compelling record of inclusive, transparent, and collaborative leadership, including the ability to build trust, establish clear expectations, make timely decisions, and promote accountability.

• Ability to develop and communicate an inspiring vision and translate that vision into coherent strategy, measurable priorities, and effective execution.

• Demonstrated success recruiting, retaining, developing, mentoring, and evaluating faculty and staff across varied roles and career stages.

• A strong record of advancing a positive academic culture that supports belonging, accessibility, professional respect, constructive dialogue, and the success of individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives.

• Outstanding interpersonal, written, oral, and listening skills, with the capacity to communicate effectively across disciplinary and professional communities.

• A record of integrity, sound judgment, courage, fairness, and respect in complex decision-making in a changing environment.

• Experience leading externally funded research and an understanding of the infrastructure, compliance, facilities, and administrative systems needed for a high-performing research enterprise.

• Experience with undergraduate, graduate, professional, residency, or medical education and a commitment to educational innovation and student success.

• Experience with or understanding of diagnostic or clinical service environments and the opportunities created by integrating service, education, and research.

• Demonstrated success building productive collaborations across departments, colleges, universities, government, industry, foundations, alumni, donors, and community partners.

• Ability to advocate effectively for the department within and beyond CSU to enhance the visibility and reputation of its disciplines and programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Department Leadership and Administration — approximately 75%:

• Provide strategic leadership for all departmental missions and guide the development, implementation, assessment, and renewal of departmental priorities.

• Serve as the chief administrative and academic officer of the department and represent MIP on the CVMBS leadership team and in university governance and planning.

• Lead faculty and staff recruitment, onboarding, retention, annual evaluation, workload planning, recognition, professional development, promotion, and succession planning in accordance with university and college policies.

• Build and sustain an environment characterized by collegiality, collaboration, accountability, effective communication, and shared commitment to excellence.

• Oversee departmental financial planning and management, including annual budgets, commitments, resource allocation, revenue-generating activities, and long-range financial strategy.

• Partner with the department's administrative team to ensure effective operations, internal controls, compliance, and administrative support for departmental missions.

• Advocate for and oversee the strategic use, acquisition, renovation, and maintenance of space, equipment, and research and teaching infrastructure.

• Support faculty in securing extramural funding, developing interdisciplinary initiatives, and strengthening core capabilities and shared research resources.

• Ensure effective mentoring structures for faculty, staff, and trainees and address barriers to professional growth and organizational effectiveness.

• Work collaboratively with the Veterinary Health System and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories leadership on faculty roles, service priorities, program quality, resource planning, and integration of diagnostic missions with education and research.

• Cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, government agencies, industry, professional organizations, and other external partners in collaboration with College and University leadership.

• Model the highest standards of ethical conduct, stewardship, safety, compliance, and professional responsibility.

Scholarly, Educational, Clinical, or Diagnostic Activity — approximately 25%:

• Maintain an appropriate program of scholarly, educational, clinical, diagnostic, or professional activity consistent with the candidate’s expertise and the expectations of a tenured Professor.

• Contribute to the intellectual life and educational mission of the department and College through teaching, mentoring, research, clinical or diagnostic service, or related professional engagement.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires).

Application Materials:

Applicants should submit the following through the CSU Jobs website. Applications will not be considered complete until all listed documents have been submitted:

• A cover letter describing the candidate’s interest in the position and experience relevant to the responsibilities and qualifications.

• A curriculum vitae.

• A statement of leadership and administrative philosophy, including examples of leading people and organizations through change and opportunity.

• A vision statement describing priorities for advancing MIP’s research, education, diagnostic and clinical service, organizational culture, and external impact.

• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to the candidate.

Appointment and Search Information:

This is a 12-month, full-time, tenured faculty position to begin in spring or summer 2027. Salary and start-up support will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. For questions about the position, contact Dr. Gregg Dean, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected].

Questions about the application process may be directed to Lesley Jones at [email protected].

About Fort Collins:

Fort Collins is located along Colorado’s Front Range, approximately 65 miles north of Denver. The community combines access to outdoor recreation and a vibrant cultural environment with a strong innovation economy and proximity to regional, federal, and private-sector research partners. Additional information about living and working in the region, including community amenities and quality-of-life resources, is available on the Colorado State University Our Community page.

Additional Information:

Learn more: Colorado State University | College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences | Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

Salary Range

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Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Special Required Documentation

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.