Frederick L. Hovde Dean of Science
Purdue University is seeking a dynamic and innovative scholar to serve as its next Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science, and invites applications and nominations from senior academic leaders worldwide.
The College of Science has grown to become Purdue’s second-largest college, and one of its strongest. The College continues on an enormous and sustained upward trajectory, helping to propel Purdue toward its goal of becoming a top-5 public research university nationally. It comprises seven departments spanning the mathematical and computational sciences, the physical sciences, and the life sciences, and its most recently introduced programs in Data Science and in Artificial Intelligence have proved enormously popular. In addition to record enrollments and increases in student profile, the College has also been successful in growing its National Academies membership, mid-career and distinguished senior hiring, and early-career award winners.
The College hosts ~350 faculty, 308 staff, and enrolls approximately 5600 undergraduate students, 1500 graduate students and 110 postdoctoral researchers. Beyond the College, Purdue’s strengths across engineering, agriculture, and the life & health sciences contribute to a robust research and educational environment. New university strategic priorities—the newly re-imagined STEM-focused Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue’s presence in Indianapolis, among others still to be announced—present additional opportunities for strong partnerships and collaboration to grow the scholarly impact and distinction of Purdue Science.
The Dean’s role is to provide exceptional scientific vision and leadership in the College, and to foster a culture of academic excellence, freedom of expression, and inclusiveness & belonging. As chief executive officer of the College, the Dean actively represents the College to a variety of constituents inside and outside the University. The Dean also provides leadership for the recruitment and promotion of faculty and staff, budget development, and allocation of fiscal and physical resources within the College. The Dean provides leadership in fundraising and capacity for obtaining extramural support. The Dean reports directly to the Provost of Purdue University and works closely with other deans and vice presidents across key functional areas.
The successful candidate will:
- have a preeminent scientific record in an area represented by the College, and a distinguished record of scholarship appropriate for a tenured full professorship;
- show excellent promise as a leader who can provide scientific, organizational and strategic vision, along with the ability to set priorities, allocate resources, and achieve specific goals;
- have substantial experience with the national research funding environment;
- be an exceptional communicator facilitating connections between departments and across the College;
- demonstrate a deep commitment to undergraduate and graduate education;
- be an effective fundraiser who can secure flexible support for the College;
- be able to connect with all the constituencies served by the University, to best advance the College and Purdue overall.
Qualified candidates will have credentials appropriate for a tenured full professorship and demonstrated excellence in or potential for higher education administration.
Confidential nominations should be submitted at Purdue.Science@edexsearch.com. The search will remain open until a hire is made, but for the fullest consideration, applications should be submitted by April 3, 2023.
Submit the following documents to Purdue.Science@edexsearch.com:
- a curriculum vitae;
- a bullet-point summary of key accomplishments in any leadership roles held;
- a personal statement, not to exceed three pages, addressing the applicant’s vision, leadership and mentoring philosophy, experience, and qualifications; and
- names and contact information for at least five references, who will not be called without expressed permission.
The Search Committee is chaired by Prof. Richard Kuhn, the Trent and Judith Anderson Distinguished Professor of Science. Purdue University has retained Education Executives to assist with this search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be sent via e-mail to: Purdue.Science@edexsearch.com.
Purdue's main campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, a rapidly-growing, welcoming, and diverse community with a wide variety of cultural activities, events, and industries. Purdue and the College of Science have a Concierge Program that provides dual career assistance and relocation services.
Purdue’s College of Science is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates are encouraged to address at least one of these areas in their cover letter, indicating their experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity, equity and inclusion.
Purdue University and the College of Science are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.
A background check is required for employment in this position. The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. upon appointment.
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
About the College of Science
The College of Science has grown to become Purdue’s second-largest college, and one of its strongest. The College continues on an enormous and sustained upward trajectory, helping to propel Purdue toward its goal of becoming a top-5 public research university nationally. It comprises seven departments spanning the mathematical and computational sciences, the physical sciences, and the life sciences, and its most recently introduced programs in Data Science and in Artificial Intelligence have proved enormously popular. In addition to record enrollments and increases in student profile, the College has also been successful in growing its National Academies membership, mid-career and distinguished senior hiring, and early-career award winners.
The College hosts ~350 faculty, 308 staff, and enrolls approximately 5600 undergraduate students, 1500 graduate students and 110 postdoctoral researchers. Beyond the College, Purdue’s strengths across engineering, agriculture, and the life & health sciences contribute to a robust research and educational environment. New university strategic priorities—the newly re-imagined STEM-focused Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue’s presence in Indianapolis, among others still to be announced—present additional opportunities for strong partnerships and collaboration to grow the scholarly impact and distinction of Purdue Science.
College of Science Fast Facts
- Majors: 47
- Graduate Programs: 30
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12.3:1
- Classes with fewer than 20 students: 22%
- Total Enrollment (Fall 2022): 7,224
- Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2022): 5,613
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment (Fall 2022): 1,611
- Total international students (Fall 2022): 1,974
- International undergraduate students (Fall 2022): 973
- International graduate and professional students (Fall 2022): 1,001
- Countries represented in our student population (Fall 2022): 83
About Purdue University
Purdue University, a top public research institution, offers higher education at its highest proven value. Committed to affordability, the University has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels. Committed to student success, Purdue is changing the student experience with greater focus on faculty-student interaction and creative use of technology. Committed to pursuing scientific discoveries, Purdue has streamlined pathways for faculty and student innovators who have a vision for moving the world forward. For more information, see www.purdue.edu.
Purdue University Fast Facts
- Majors: 200+
- Graduate Programs: 160+
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13.5:1
- Classes with fewer than 20 students: 45.2%
- Total Enrollment (Fall 2022): 50,884
- Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2022): 37,949
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment (Fall 2022): 9,395
- Total international students (Fall 2022): 8,158
- International undergraduate students (Fall 2022): 4,212
- International graduate and professional students (Fall 2022): 5,183
- Study abroad opportunities in 60 countries
- Countries represented in our student population (Fall 2022): 139
Search Committee
- Richard Kuhn (Chair)
- Tamal Dey
- Janice Evans
- Isaac Harris
- Sabre Kais
- Mark Lundstrom
- Michael Manfra
- Eva Nodine
- Jianxi Su
- Marissa Tremblay
- Kris Wong Davis
College of Science Resources
Department of Biological Sciences
In the Department of Biological Sciences, game-changing discoveries and life-changing education can be found, from the molecular to ecosystem levels. The department focuses on some of the toughest challenges of today - fighting cancer, combating infectious diseases, unraveling climate change, and dissecting how people see, hear and interact with their surroundings. The department’s research and scholarship changes people's lives and the planet.
The Department of Chemistry at Purdue University has an outstanding record of accomplishment and innovation in research, education, outreach, and entrepreneurship. Our field offers extraordinary solutions during times of extraordinary challenge. Nearly every area of science, technology, and medicine has been revolutionized by fundamental discoveries at the molecular level.
Department of Computer Science
Founded in 1962, the Department of Computer Science was created to be an innovative base of knowledge in the emerging field of computing as the first degree-awarding program in the United States. The department continues to advance the computer science industry through research. The increasing centrality of computer science in academic disciplines and society, and new research activities - centered around data science, artificial intelligence, programming languages, theoretical computer science, machine learning, and cybersecurity - are the future focus of the department.
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences has a great diversity of programs and intersecting disciplines, with faculty and students studying in fields such as Tectonics, Geophysics, Atmospheric Dynamics and Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Climate Change, Severe Weather, Planetary Sciences, Astrobiology, Data Science, and many other areas. We are committed to strategic initiatives in Diversity and Inclusion, Education, Interconnections between the Earth’s interior and surface, climate and sustainability, planetary exploration and spacecraft missions, and the development of emerging fields of study.
The Department of Mathematics is renowned internationally for excellence in mathematical research and for strong graduate and undergraduate programs. We play a central role in the education of all Purdue students. Undergraduate majors include applied mathematics, mathematics education, data science and actuarial science. Our faculty are engaged in current developments in major areas of mathematics including number theory, applied mathematics, data science, partial differential equations, topology, algebraic geometry, representation theory, commutative algebra, complex analysis, operator theory, probability theory, mathematical biology, mathematical physics, and more.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a rich and long history dating back to the latter part of the 19th century. Our faculty and students are exploring nature at all length scales, from the subatomic (quarks and gluons) to the macroscopic (black holes and dark energy), and everything in between (atomic and biological systems).
The Department of Statistics is consistently recognized as one of the top statistics programs in the country. We work to advance the frontiers of statistical sciences and data science both in theory and application. New directions in statistics are often interdisciplinary and encompass bioinformatics, massive data, machine learning, and computational finance. Our graduates are leaders in industry and academia who bring the strengths of statistical sciences to emerging societal issues.
