Job DescriptionThe inaugural Executive Director will have the extraordinary opportunity to build the Center from the ground up and establish its vision, culture, research enterprise, partnerships, and international profile. The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar and visionary leader who can bring together researchers and partners across disciplines, secure significant external funding, cultivate public and private partnerships, and position the Center as a leader in substance use and mental health research.
The Executive Director will report to the Dean of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
ResponsibilitiesPrimary Job Duties:- Provide Visionary Leadership and Strategic Direction
- Build a World-Class Research Enterprise
- Grow External Research Funding
- Translate Research into Practice and Policy
- Develop Strategic Partnerships
- Advance Innovation and Technology
- Develop Education, Training, and Workforce Capacity
- Engaged Communities and People with Lived Experience
- Build the Center's National Reputation and Visibility
- Lead Center Operations and Resource Development
QualificationsMinimum Education & Experience:The successful candidate will possess:
- Doctoral degree in Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Social Work, Gerontology, Criminology, or a related field from an accredited institution at the time of hire.
- A distinguished record of scholarly achievement and externally funded research in substance use, mental health, behavioral health, public health, or a closely related field.
- A record of successful interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and partnership development.
- Demonstrated success securing competitive external research funding, preferably including significant federal funding.
- A record of scholarly leadership commensurate with appointment as a tenured senior faculty member in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
- Experience recruiting, mentoring, and developing faculty, researchers, and trainees.
- Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with academic, governmental, clinical, community, philanthropic, and/or private-sector partners.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to represent a major research center effectively to diverse constituencies.
- A demonstrated commitment to translating research into practice, policy, and measurable community impact.
Preferred Experience:Preference will be given to candidates with:
- A nationally or internationally recognized research profile.
- Experience leading a major research center, institute, department, program, or similar complex interdisciplinary enterprise.
- A substantial record of NIH or other federal research funding.
- Experience leading large-scale interdisciplinary research initiatives.
- Experience developing successful public-private or academic-community partnerships.
- Experience with research commercialization, technology transfer, or innovation.
- Experience working with state or federal policymakers.
- Experience with artificial intelligence, data science, digital health, or other emerging technologies relevant to behavioral health.
- Experience developing research training programs and mentoring early-career investigators.
Review of applications will begin on or after
October 23rd, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
