Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Math & Stat) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applicants for Department Head and Professor. This is a 12-month, benefit-eligible, tenure-track position. The Math & Stat Department is one of six departments in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering (JJLCOE). The department, college, and SDSU provide excellent resources for cutting-edge research. The department is committed to providing rigorous and practical educational experiences, with an emphasis on mathematical learning, problem-solving, and research relevant to the region, and offering scientific assistance to existing and emerging businesses, industries, and government.  This position is supervised by the Dean of the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

The Math & Stat Department offers the following undergraduate programs: AS in Data Science, BS in Data Science, and BS in Mathematics. The BS in Mathematics includes the following specialty areas: Actuarial/Financial Concentration, Applied Mathematics Concentration, Data Science Concentration, and Teaching Specialization. Graduate programs include the following: Data Science Certificate, MS in Data Science, MS in Mathematics, MS in Statistics, and PhD in Computational Science and Statistics. Many students in our vibrant graduate program serve in GTA and GRA positions. Currently, the department has approximately 180 undergraduate majors, 60 graduate students, 17 tenure-track faculty, and 9 full-time lecturers. Two of the tenured faculty serve as Assistant Department Head and Graduate Coordinator.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

South Dakota State University seeks a dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as the Head of the Math & Stat Department. The Department Head will work closely with the Dean and the leadership team of the JJLCOE to promote the land-grant mission and an ambitious agenda to address the world’s grand challenges in the areas of mathematics, statistics, and data science. The selected candidate is expected to lead the Math & Stat Department in identifying future areas of growth and investment while providing organizational and administrative expertise to the Department and the JJLCOE.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

SALARY:
Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access.  The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in mathematics, statistics, data science, or closely related field by date of application.
• A distinguished record of teaching, research, scholarship, and
• Eligible for rank of Professor at SDSU in the Math & Stat Department. Standards documents are available upon request.
• Evidence of effective leadership and administrative skills including management of budget and personnel.
• Leadership and success in securing nationally competitive grants for research from federal, industry, and corporate sources. The candidate is expected to steer the growth of the department consistent with SDSU’s refreshed strategic plan titled “Pathway to Premier 2030”. The strategic plan includes a goal to elevate SDSU as a research university and pursue a pathway to achieve designation as an R1 Research University by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
• Understanding of current and emerging needs in mathematics, statistics, and data science.
• Ability to advocate for the Math & Stat Department’s programs within and outside the university.
• Understanding of the department’s role in teaching high-quality service courses.
• Transparent, open-minded, collegial, and approachable leadership
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful professional experience in academic administration and/or comparable experience in research
• Ability to mentor faculty in developing strategies for pursuing external funding and in creating strong research programs.
• Active participation in mathematics/statistics/data science education and other relevant experiences to advance the scholarship of teaching and learning.
• Experience leading faculty in (1) providing high-quality service courses at all levels, (2) engaging with client departments to determine their course needs, (3) monitoring trends in general education and service courses, and (4) implementing high impact teaching and learning strategies.
• Proven experience and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance department, college, and university performance.
• A strong capacity for interacting and cultivating relationships with businesses in the medical, insurance, and financial sectors in the region.
• Engagement in professional organizations for mathematics & statistics (e.g., SIAM, AMS, MAA, ASA, etc.)

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by January 15, 2024.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, teaching statement (attached as ‘other’ document), research statement (attached as ‘work sample’), and reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on this position, contact Dr. Yucheng Liu at 605-688-5462 or yucheng.liu@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu.  Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:  Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD  57007.  Phone: (605) 688-4128.