Director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases

Job Title Director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Research Director Management Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Director – Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases   About Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases: The Director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases will serve as the administrative leader of the unit IIAD, which is a globally recognized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an emeritus Center of Excellence (COE), and World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Collaborating Centre (CC) in Biological Threat Reduction, that is dedicated to advancing animal health, food security, and public health through innovative research, education, and collaboration. Founded in 2001, IIAD has established itself as a leader in the field, working closely with government agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, and industry partners to address the complex challenges posed by infectious animal diseases. The Institute currently focuses on five priority areas on advancing evidence-based research and innovation, strengthening engagement and partnerships, ensuring sustainable solutions, expanding assessment and consultation services, and building long-term capacity. With emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, dashboard tools, epidemiological analysis, economic assessment, and enhanced monitoring and evaluation, IIAD aims to improve preparedness, detection, response, and sustainability related to infectious disease threats in agriculture. The institute will continue to cultivate strong local, state, national, and global partnerships, including collaborations across Texas A&M Universities System (TAMUS), government agencies, industry organizations, and international animal health entities, while diversifying funding sources and planning for leadership continuity. IIAD will also enhance its role in assessments, consultations, grant development, vulnerability analysis, and foreign animal disease preparedness, while sustaining and expanding education, credentialing, mentorship, and national short-course programs. Collectively, these priorities position IIAD to strengthen animal health systems, support agricultural resilience, and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for current and emerging biosecurity challenges. Mission: Create collaborative and innovative solutions to promote the resiliency of human, animal, and environmental health systems through the development and implementation of proportionate and effective mitigation actions in the management of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases. Vision: To be a preeminent global provider of infectious animal disease research and solutions. Appointment and Location:   The Director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases will have a 12-month appointment at College Station, Texas. Administrative Relationships: This position will report jointly to the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This position will be supported with input by an Advisory Committee of external and internal stakeholders. The Advisory Committee will be composed of leading industry professionals and collaborators, private individuals and companies, foundations, internal affiliate experts, and national or international institutions. Additionally, designated Fellows will provide strategic guidance on priorities and program development to advance the Institute’s goals, identify emerging agricultural challenges using a One Health approach and recommend responses, foster partnerships and collaboration, advise on programs and funding opportunities, promote stakeholder communication, and advocate for the Institute’s initiatives. General Job Description: The Director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases will lead the Institute, which focuses on facilitating, communicating, and supporting collaboration between IIAD personnel, faculty, staff, leadership, and stakeholders. The Director will engage key stakeholders across all necessary disciplines and associations to address existing and emerging infectious animal disease needs. The Director will maintain and build state, national, and international connections to help shape research and education to strengthen animal health systems, support agricultural resilience, and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for current and emerging biosecurity challenges. Position Description and Responsibilities: The Director will: develop a vision for the continued role of the Institute and the TAMUS in the dynamic environment of infectious animal diseases; provide collaborative and programmatic support to faculty, staff, and students to enhance research and extension missions; manage human and fiscal resources, including team building and leading a proposal development program that elevates efforts throughout the TAMUS; provide leadership for continued acquisition of internal and external resources needed to build teams and support activities for planned outcomes; represent the Institute to state, federal, and international agencies, private organizations, partners, collaborators, key industry groups, and international organizations; liaise with the administration of TAMUS to plan initiatives, convey research and extension information, and pursue fundraising opportunities that will benefit the Institute far into the future; work closely with and implement outreach and professional technical oversight to IIAD portfolios including serving as principal investigator for institute-related projects; provide technical expertise to IIAD animal health-related projects and programs; use knowledge of animal agriculture industry functions and current agricultural issues; provide technical expertise to project