Position overview
Position title: Department Chair, Ophthalmology
Salary range: The posted UC Salary scales set the minimum pay at the appointment as determined by appointment type and if applicable, rank and/or step. The base pay range for this position is $260,000-$550,000. Salary is negotiated annually. Additional compensation may be available if the position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan. UC Salary information can be found here: 2026-2027 Academic Salary Scales
Application Window

Open date: June 22, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, Jul 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 22, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description

UC San Diego is seeking its next Chair of the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology who will be an inspirational scholar, clinician, and leader with proven administrative experience to work closely with faculty, staff, and administrators within Ophthalmology and beyond, fostering excellence in research and discovery, education, clinical care, and community outreach and service. Consistent with the core values of the institution, the Chair is responsible for the quality of educational, clinical, and scientific programs within the department.

The Chair is further responsible for the overall leadership and management of the department consistent with guidelines set forth in the policy and procedures in the UC systemwide Academic Personnel Manual (APM) as issued by the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, the UC San Diego Policy & Procedure Manual and Academic Senate Bylaws and Regulations. This oversight includes the appropriate and optimal use of human, financial, space, and other resources to successfully manage the educational, clinical, and research missions of the department. As with similar roles, the Chair is expected to abide by UC San Diego's Guidelines for Department Chairs Duties, including in the areas of faculty recruitment, service, and other policies and regulations.

DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Medicine, with a dotted reporting line to the CEO of UC San Diego Health, the Chair will be responsible for the Department's overall management, academic planning, budget, personnel, resource allocation, and programs. The Chair is charged with establishing and advancing the Department's strategic direction. To meet operational needs and strategic goals, the Chair will hire and retain outstanding faculty and staff, advocate to campus leaders for critical resources, and partner with other units to advance the department's educational and scientific prominence. The Chair will benefit from working alongside exceptional staff and have the partnership of a skilled and committed executive leadership team.

The Chair will be actively engaged in the intellectual research, discovery, and development of the Department. The Chair will lead the planning and development of the Department's academic, clinical, and research portfolio. Given the interdisciplinary nature of education and research at UC San Diego, the Chair will form highly collaborative teams working within a strategic context to achieve academic and research growth. There will be opportunities to catalyze interactions among programs and foster a culture of learning across the continuum of research, clinical care, and education, in collaboration with campus and external partners.

To be successful in establishing and coordinating teams to execute the Department's strategic goals, the Chair must cultivate and apply interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence at all times. Through their actions, the Chair will promote and sustain a culture of inquiry and place value on the scholarship of discovery, application, integration, and teaching. Additionally, the Chair will listen effectively and strive for sensitivity, consistency, fairness, and adaptability with their teams. Through equitable actions, the Chair will cultivate a climate of trust and support, active listening, creative management of conflict, problem solving, and interpersonal effectiveness.

The Chair may pursue educational, academic, teaching, service, and/or research activities, as appropriate to maintain and/or advance their professional development and area(s) of expertise.

This position will have a standard term of five years with annual performance review and goal setting. A formal committee review that includes an external referee occurs every fifth year.

The appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level will be based on the candidate's background and experience.

A link to full descriptions of each series is provided for your review:
• Ladder Rank Professor
• In-Residence Professor
• Clinical X Professor
• HS Clinical Professor

As a member of the Health Sciences Compensation Plan, the appointee should be aware that there are limitations on outside professional activities, and clinical moonlighting is expressly prohibited. Additional information can be found here: Health Sciences Compensation Plan (APM-671)

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• MD or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution.
• Board certification in ophthalmology. Must have or be eligible for a California medical license as determined by the Medical Board of California.
• 10+ year record of professional, scholarly, and educational accomplishments as a faculty member.
• Track record of engagement and knowledge of an academic healthcare environment, including the integration of education and research initiatives.
• Track record of analyzing, planning, and implementing strategic initiatives for an academic unit.
• Track record of aligning financial, personnel, and space resources to meet operational needs and strategic plans.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading a large, complex academic department or division, ideally within an academic medical center and inclusive of multiple subspecialties.
• Distinguished academic record as a physician or physician-scientist, with credibility to lead across clinical, research, and educational missions.
• Proven success in senior administrative roles, including oversight of financial, human resources, and operational strategy.
• Experience managing and leading organizations through growth and change, with the ability to innovate and implement strategic initiatives effectively.
• Strong track record of advancing a research enterprise, including supporting faculty productivity, fostering innovation, and securing extramural funding.
• Demonstrated success in philanthropic development and building external funding streams, including partnerships with donors and institutions.
• Exceptional leadership in faculty recruitment, retention, and development, with a focus on building high-performing, collaborative teams and mentoring future leaders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships across disciplines and with external partners, including academic institutions, health systems, and community organizations.
• Collegial and consultative leadership style, with the ability to make informed, timely, and decisive decisions.
• Experience operating effectively within a complex, matrixed healthcare system, with strong systems thinking and strategic insight.
• Demonstrated ability to align people, processes, and resources to achieve strategic and operational goals.
• Track record of enhancing clinical programs and advancing high-quality, patient-centered care delivery.
• Demonstrated high level of integrity, professionalism, and emotional intelligence, with a commitment to supporting faculty, trainees, and staff development.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Letter of Interest - 500 words or fewer
• COVID-19 Statement - We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a substantial impact on academic productivity. In our academic hiring processes, we will be keeping this in mind as we consider achievement relative to opportunity. We encourage you to reflect on constraints on opportunity in your field that were caused by the events of the pandemic, and where applicable, to discuss your achievements in this light.
  (Optional)

Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04557

Help contact: [email protected]
Job location

San Diego, CA