Gary Havener Endowed Department Chair of Mathematics and Statistics 

Missouri University of Science and Technology 

Rolla, Missouri 

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications for the position of the Gary Havener Endowed Department Chair of Mathematics and Statistics, with an anticipated starting date of August 2026. 

The department seeks an exceptionally qualified scholar to provide leadership and vision as the Gary Havener Endowed Department Chair. The successful candidate will have access to endowment funds that will help to elevate the department’s prestige, to advance long-term strategic priorities, to initiate and sustain collaborations among the department, research centers, and other units across and beyond campus, and to enhance the candidate’s research program.  

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in mathematics or statistics or a closely related discipline and must hold the rank of full professor. They should have an outstanding portfolio of scholarship evidenced by a strong record of publication and related funding, as well as a clear and demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring of students at all levels. Just as important, candidates should be able to demonstrate success as an effective, inspiring, and collegial academic leader. 

As department chair, the successful candidate will be expected to: 

• Provide a clear and consistent vision of future advancement and growth for the department that is well-integrated into the applied science and engineering research focus of Missouri S&T;
• Lead the day-to-day operations of a research-active department with multiple disciplinary strengths and considerable responsibilities for general education courses, undergraduate majors, and M.S. and Ph.D. students;
• Develop and implement plans to raise the national and international standing of the department as a leader in mathematics and statistics education and research;
• Recruit and retain outstanding faculty;
• Develop and implement plans to enhance the reputation of undergraduate and graduate programs and promote enrollment growth;
• Promote student success by creating an environment conducive to a quality education.

Applicants should highlight evidence of or potential for success in any of these categories. 

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics consists of 14 tenured and tenure-track faculty and five ranked non-tenure-track faculty, including two endowed professors and one Curators’ Professor. The research interests of the faculty mainly focus on statistics, computational and applied mathematics, and analysis and differential equations. The department plays an important role in the STEM-focused campus of Missouri S&T, both in terms of interdisciplinary interactions with other departments and in the training of a large number of undergraduate students in fundamental areas such as calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and statistics. The department has B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs, with about 35 graduate students (the majority being doctoral students) and nearly 70 undergraduate majors.  The Ph.D. program has three emphasis areas: mathematics, computational and applied mathematics, and statistics. Additional details about the department can be found at the department website: http://math.mst.edu/

Missouri S&T, a land-grant and space-grant institution, is a Carnegie R1 university with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines with a reputation for academic excellence in STEM fields. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Missouri S&T is one of four universities in the University of Missouri System. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers. 

Interested candidates can find details of the application process at the web address https://hr.mst.edu/careers/ Position #00095735. All applications must be submitted through this site.  

Applications should consist of:

• Cover letter (approximately 3-4 pages) outlining why the candidate is a good fit for this position, focusing on:
• Leadership experience
• Vision for the department and leadership philosophy
• Research achievements and goals
• Teaching experience and philosophy
• Current curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s record of teaching, publications, grants, advising, and administrative and leadership experience.
• Contact information for at least five references. 

The review of applications will begin on 10/3/2025. We will continue to accept and consider applications until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Gayla Olbricht, at olbrichtg@mst.edu

Benefit Eligibility 

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at: https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity