Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to advance the missions of the College and University by serving as the next Department Head and Professor of Plant Pathology. The successful candidate must possess the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate the Department’s faculty and staff in advancing high-quality teaching, research, engagement, and extension, while providing leadership that ensures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the Department’s multifaceted programs. If desired, the Department Head may maintain active research, extension, or teaching programs. The Department Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture.
The department has internationally recognized faculty with an extensive range of expertise in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics, focusing on interactions among pathogens, host plants, and arthropod vectors. The department also has strong programs in applied plant pathology, related to host resistance, disease forecasting, integrated disease management, and plant biosecurity, with well-established links to international agriculture. The department provides extension expertise and plant disease diagnostics for field crops and horticultural crops in Kansas. The department houses the Wheat Genetics Resource Center, the Great Plains regional center for the National Plant Diagnostic Network, the Fungal Genetics Stock Center, and the K-State Integrated Genomics Facility. Research on high-consequence, emerging plant pathogens is ongoing in the K-State Biosecurity Research Institute on campus. The department currently has 24 resident faculty and hosts faculty from several USDA laboratories. It has 35 research scientists and post-doctoral fellows. The department offers undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as graduate programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, with over 30 graduate students enrolled in these programs. Learn more about the department and the college at www.plantpath.k-state.edu and www.ag.k-state.edu.
The Successful Candidate Will:
Foster excellence in research, extension, teaching, and domestic and international service
Promote quality instruction in undergraduate and graduate programs
Actively involve faculty in the decision-making process, using appointed and elected committees when appropriate
Provide leadership in planning and supervising programs relevant to the department's mission within the land grant university system, manage departmental budgetary and financial matters, and assist in generating extramural support for departmental activities
Evaluate, counsel, and promote professional development of faculty, staff, and students
Recruit and retain productive faculty, staff, and students
Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators, and stakeholders
Represent and promote the department to the college, university, state, agricultural clientele, and funding agencies
Create an environment that fosters collegiality and teamwork
As part of Kansas State University, a comprehensive R1, land-grant institution, the Department of Plant Pathology is devoted to excellence in teaching, research, extension, and engagement. The Department is fully committed to advancing the University’s land-grant mission and its vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University.
This position is On-site. This position is On-site.
All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
Minimum Qualifications:
The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Preferred Qualifications:
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
Applications close on: January 11, 2026
Commensurate with experience.
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.
The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.
To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.
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