UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences seeks to appoint one or two Leadership Fellows with a strong background in interdisciplinary research for a one-year term, with the possibility for an additional year extension. The deadline to apply is Feb. 13.
This program is aimed at providing professional development and a potential pathway to Penn State leadership for tenured and non-tenure-line life sciences faculty (at the associate or professor level only).
“The Huck Leadership Fellows Program is designed to give accomplished faculty exposure to complex decision-making, strategic thinking, and the inner workings of a large Interdisciplinary Institute,” said Research Professor Camelia Kantor, director of Strategic Initiatives at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. “What makes this program especially powerful is that fellows work on high-impact initiatives that shape Huck’s future while developing the leadership skills needed at the department, center and University levels. Just as importantly, the fellowship offers a low-risk opportunity for faculty to explore administrative and leadership pathways, gain clarity on whether these roles are the right fit, and build confidence for future transitions.
"We’ve already seen this translate into tangible outcomes, with former fellows stepping into roles as department heads, center directors and vice chairs for research," Kantor added. "This program is about preparing leaders who are ready to serve and succeed when opportunity arises.”
Successful applicants will participate fully in weekly Huck Executive Meetings (8:30-10 a.m. on Tuesdays) and receive exposure to other University-level senior leadership, have closer interactions with individual members of the executive team based on specific areas of interest, gain insight into the work being done to sustain and grow such a complex interdisciplinary ecosystem, have the ability to work on and influence projects of key strategic importance to Huck, and build experience that involves management and leadership development activities that will prepare them for future leadership positions.
Leadership fellows will be expected to contribute their ideas and expertise by working on mutually agreed-upon projects aimed at furthering Huck’s mission. These may include (but are not limited to) initiatives in graduate education, industry relations, national benchmarking, seed funding, research initiatives, center and institute development, and faculty co-hiring. Projects could include anything from data analytics to program implementation.
These leadership opportunities come with a negotiable Huck time-buyout commensurate with time commitment. Potential time commitment is one day/week.
How to apply
Required documents:
- Letter of interest including a proposal for a potential project to be undertaken during the fellowship that will address motivation, skills, and potential areas of interest
- Curriculum Vitae
- Supporting letter/email from department head
Note that applications missing any of these three documents will not be reviewed.
Apply to the leadership program at this link.
Interested applicants must submit all documents no later than Feb. 13. Informal inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Camelia Kantor, director of Strategic Initiatives. Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until positions are filled. Start date is negotiable.
More information on the program and a list of previous Huck Fellows may be found here.