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The OpportunityThe University of California, Davis, School of Medicine seeks a visionary and collaborative scientific leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Pharmacology . This is an opportunity to lead an established, top-ranked basic science department at a moment of exceptional institutional momentum: the School of Medicine has set consecutive records for research funding, all of its basic science departments now rank in the top 20 nationally in their disciplines, and the opening of the Aggie Square innovation district has added a new platform for translating discovery into therapeutics.
The Department of Pharmacology consists of approximately two dozen faculty who have built an international reputation in cardiovascular sciences and neuropharmacology. The Department is known for maintaining a highly collaborative and collegial environment, transparent leadership, and a strong administrative support team. The next Chair will be charged with building upon existing research strengths while extending the Department's reach into new areas of pharmacology and therapeutic discovery and design. The Chair will have the platform to shape a new research vision and strategy, develop new areas of distinction, and position UC Davis for continued national and international leadership in pharmacology.
In addition to providing strategic, academic and administrative leadership of the Department's research mission, the next Chair will also provide leadership for the Department's education and service missions. Supporting the strong educational programs within the Department , the Chair will be looked upon to play a meaningful role with Ph.D., graduate, and medical student education in pharmacology within the School of Medicine. This individual will recruit and develop outstanding faculty, foster an intellectually diverse and vibrant culture, sustain impactful mentorship, and create opportunities for interdisciplinary discovery.
This is a transformational leadership opportunity with exceptional potential. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of leadership, developing and mentoring trainees and faculty across all stages of career development, and bring a successful, extramurally funded research program rooted in pharmacology, drug discovery and novel therapeutic development, computational pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, or similar. The incoming Chair's faculty appointment is expected to be made at the rank of Professor in the ladder-rank series, with tenure, commensurate with credentials.
Candidate QualificationsRequired- Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline. The ideal candidate will have expertise across a breadth of pharmacology, drug discovery, and computational fluency.
- Academic credentials qualifying for appointment as Professor in the ladder-rank series with tenure; rank and tenure status will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications.
- An internationally recognized, active research program with a sustained record of independent NIH or comparable extramural funding.
- A distinguished record in research, teaching and mentoring, and demonstrated academic administrative or leadership experience.
- A track record of building vigorous, competitive research programs and of recruiting and developing faculty.
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively, collegially, and to build durable relationships with faculty, staff, students and institutional leadership.
- Progressively responsible leadership experience in a research-intensive, complex organizational environment, preferably within a basic science department, research institute, or similarly matrixed academic medical center.
- Fluency with the evolving federal and philanthropic research funding landscape, including its near- and long-term risks and opportunities.
Preferred- Experience managing budgets, space and personnel at the department, center or large program level.
- A record of groundbreaking discovery and intellectual risk-taking.
- An entrepreneurial approach with experience developing scientific strategy.
- A demonstrated record of successful recruiting, inspiring, managing, mentoring faculty and galvanizing a diverse team.
- A scientific program that extends existing departmental strengths and the instincts to open new areas of therapeutic discovery.
Salary RangeThe salary range for this position is $285,000 - $435,000. This position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation plan ( https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/policies/apm/apm-670.pdf ).
Procedure for Candidacy Confidential review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately. Please direct all nominations and inquiries to Ryan McBrearty at rmmcbrearty@ucdavis.edu .
Formal application materials must also be submitted via the UC Recruit system, located at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07856 , prior to formal review by the search committee.
Document requirements include:
- Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Names and contact information of 5 professional references. References will only be contacted regarding those candidates who advance to final consideration for the position. Candidates will be notified prior to the university initiating reference contact.
- Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form .