Dean’s Role and Responsibilities
The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School. S/he reports directly to the Provost. The roles and responsibilities of this position include:
- Advancing the mission of the school, building on the School’s strengths in education and in research;
- Serving as a catalyst for research innovation and for the integration of research and undergraduate/graduate/post-doctoral education across the School;
- Identifying, developing, expanding, and sustaining sources of research funding;
- Fostering and facilitating opportunities for interdisciplinary research and teaching collaborations;
- Bringing visibility to the research and educational accomplishments of the School both within and outside the campus;
- Fostering a culture of highest ethical standards;
- Working effectively with faculty and staff to provide leadership to the School’s strategic planning and budget development;
- Developing and promoting activities that support a large and diverse faculty, overseeing faculty recruitment and development, promotion and tenure and the appointment of department chairs and center directors;
- Representing the interests of the School and the University to various constituencies both within and outside of the Rice community.
Qualities and Desirable Characteristics
The University seeks an individual of distinction to lead a faculty with commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service. Candidates should possess a record of distinguished scholarship and exceptional capacities in effective academic leadership, administration, and development. The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:
- An outstanding record of accomplishments commensurate with the rank of Full Professor, including a record of extraordinary scholarship and research funding;
- A demonstrated record of organizational and research leadership;
- Strong credentials in the management of academic affairs;
- Substantial administrative experience at a research intensive institution that demonstrates strategic leadership in planning, communication and organization;
- The ability to articulate and implement a vision for research and education in the 21st century;
- The skills and initiative to work with the faculty and administration stakeholders across campus to champion research, build initiatives on campus and beyond to increase significantly external research funding, and successfully compete for program opportunities nationally and globally;
- The breadth of knowledge and foresight needed to identify existing, emerging, and interdisciplinary fields for investment, both within the School and collaboratively with other schools at Rice.
Applications and Nominations
Nominations and expressions of interest will continue to be considered until a select list of candidates is put forward for final consideration by the Provost and President. The Search Committee will initiate the screening of candidates upon receipt of information.
Nominations and/or letters of application, including current curriculum vitae should be electronically sent to:
Dean of Natural Sciences Search Committee
c/o Mirah Horowitz
Russell Reynolds Associates
rice.deannaturalsciences@russellreynolds.com
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer