Department Chairperson of Plant and Soil Sciences

Department Chairperson of Plant and Soil Sciences

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral / Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students.

The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for the Department Chair of Plant and Soil Science beginning in June 2026. The Chair of the Department of Plant and Soil Science (PSS) is a key leader within the Davis College and closely collaborates with other College administrators to advance its teaching, research, outreach and engagement missions.

The PSS Department is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil sciences. There are 46 full-time faculty members (of these faculty, there are five endowed chairs, two professorships, and 7 have joint appointments with Texas A&M AgriLife Research) and a student body of 159 undergraduate and 163 graduate students.

In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should demonstrate experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and / or graduate levels. This experience may span teaching, research, creative activity, and service.

Faculty Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree or foreign equivalent in agricultural sciences, soil science, horticulture, or related disciplines.
• A strong record of academic accomplishments that will allow a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor in a field relevant to the Department.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex, multi- or trans-disciplinary teams in high-impact and successful research.
• An outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, outstanding extramural funding, and university and professional service.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement and communication.
• Experience with complex academic budgeting and record of successful personnel and budget management.
• Experience in external fundraising or development activities.
• Highly refined verbal and written communication skills and a commitment to sharing departmental accomplishments and its vision for the future with prospective students, alumni, and stakeholders.
• Distinguished record of success in research and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

The application deadline is November 1, 2025. Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Chance Brooks (chance.brooks@ttu.edu) and Dr. Noureddine Abidi (noureddine.abidi@ttu.edu) Search Committee Co-Chairs.