Director of Faculty of Neuroscience
University of California Davis
United States

Application Window

The University of California at Davis invites applications for the position of Faculty Director of the Center for Neuroscience, an interdisciplinary unit comprised of faculty from the Colleges of Biological Sciences, Letters and Science, and the School of Medicine at UC Davis. The Center for Neuroscience (CNS) has driven the growth of neuroscience on the UC Davis campus for over 30 years and is world-renowned for excellence in research across scales, from molecular and cellular neurobiology to systems, computational, and cognitive neuroscience. The 21 core faculty utilize experimental and computational approaches to advance our understanding of brain function and leverage these discoveries to promote health and advance treatments and cures for neurological and psychiatric disorders. We are steadfast in our commitment to training the next generation of scientists at the undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral levels as well as engaging the public to better understand the real-world implications of neuroscience research. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion permeates and elevates every aspect of our community.

The Director will be appointed at the appropriate professorial level in one or more appropriate academic departments in any of six schools, colleges, or divisions. The successful candidate for Director will be expected to assume a high-profile leadership role to support vertical integration of neuroscience research across scales and species, and to maintain UC Davis at the forefront of neuroscience research nationally. The Director will be expected to build ties to the other neuroscience groups at UC Davis, including the Center for Mind and Brain, the M.I.N.D. Institute, the Center for Vision Science, and the Center for Neuroengineering, as well as the campus Departments that serve as the academic home of the core faculty across three schools and colleges. The Director will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other preeminent campus resources, including one of seven National Primate Research Centers, one of five CIRM-funded stem cell clinics, and our world-renowned School of Veterinary Medicine and associated training programs. The CNS has a vibrant culture of collaborations that creates a framework for dynamic interactions between faculty working across scales for a common purpose. These are well-supported (e.g. Conte Center, Core and Training Grants) and include groups focused on learning and memory, decision-making, neurodegeneration, sensory perception, aging, neurodevelopmental disorders and vision research. The Director’s own research area could be in any area of neuroscience, but they should have a vision for the CNS that transcends different levels and approaches in modern neuroscience. In support of this vision, the Director will be given the resources to shape the future of CNS’s research programs through the hiring of new faculty.

To be considered, applicants must have a PhD or MD degree, an excellent record of accomplishment in research and teaching, as well as demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. Demonstrated success in obtaining federal and philanthropic extramural funds is expected. Applications should be submitted online at http://recruit.ucdavis.edu/. Technical inquiries can be sent to ap-recruit@ucdavis.edu and additional inquiries to a co-chair of the search committee below. Full applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of research and future research plans (3-4 pages), a statement of teaching accomplishments, philosophy and/or interests (1-2 pages), a vision statement for the evolution of neuroscience research (1 page), a DEI statement (1 page), authorization to release information form, and the names and contact information for at least 5 references . All materials should be submitted by December 1, 2024 to be guaranteed timely consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first-choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for assistant professor to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions will be subject to reference checks.

Unit: https://neuroscience.ucdavis.edu/

To be considered, applicants must have a PhD or MD degree, an excellent record of accomplishment in research and teaching, as well as demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. Demonstrated success in obtaining federal and philanthropic extramural funds is expected.

The appointee is expected to have an active research program, a demonstrated commitment to high quality teaching, a strong track record of extramural funding, and excellent potential for collaborations with faculty at the CNS and in the home academic department(s). The applicant’s career accomplishments should naturally illustrate their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and their ability to mentor and develop the future leaders of their fields.

• 5-7 required (contact information only)

Please provide the names and contact information for at least 5 references

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.