Job Announcement: Dean of the Division of Life Sciences

UCLA Dean of the Division of Life Sciences

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of dean of the Division of Life Sciences. One of the four academic divisions of the UCLA College of Letters and Science, the Division of Life Sciences encompasses the biological and psychological sciences, which include some of the university’s highest-ranked academic programs. The biological sciences are represented by the departments of ecology and evolutionary biology; integrative biology and physiology; microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics; and molecular, cell and developmental biology. The psychology department, one of the largest academic departments in the University of California system, has research programs in the behavioral, cognitive and brain sciences, all encompassed in eight departmental areas (behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, learning and behavior, quantitative psychology and social psychology). A leader in interdisciplinary instruction and research, the division sponsors a life sciences core curriculum that cuts across its departments, jointly administers graduate programs in the biosciences with the school of medicine, and is home to interdepartmental degree programs in bioinformatics; computational and systems biology; molecular biology; molecular, cellular and integrative physiology; neuroscience; and the Institute for Society and Genetics. The division includes three interdisciplinary research units — the Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences, the Molecular Biology Institute and the Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences — and has oversight responsibility for the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. Including microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics (dual report to the school of medicine), the division houses 171 ladder faculty, 9,200 undergraduate majors and 600 graduate students. It has annual expenditures of $165.2M, including $73M in contract and grant activity and $8.3M in gift activity, and its total endowment stands at $60.2M.

The dean provides strategic vision and operational leadership for the life sciences division, creating an environment and community that supports its faculty and students. Building on deep academic strength, the dean sets the standard for intellectual engagement and scholarly accomplishment, advancing research and education in the life sciences, encouraging distinctive programmatic innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, and providing leadership to ensure excellence through diversity in undergraduate and graduate programs and faculty recruitment. In pursuing these responsibilities, the dean — reporting to the executive vice chancellor and provost — collaborates with the chancellor, executive vice chancellor and provost, vice chancellors, vice provosts, other deans and department chairs at UCLA and throughout the University of California system. As a member of the College Cabinet, the dean works closely with the deans of humanities, physical sciences, social sciences and undergraduate education to promote synergies within the College. The dean also serves as associate dean in the David Geffen School of Medicine, providing oversight for the combined basic science programs and coordination of joint faculty recruitment and retention.

The successful candidate will be nationally recognized with strong scholarly visibility; demonstrated leadership in teaching, research and public service; and the capacity to exercise policy leadership at local, state, national and international levels. Minimum requirements include substantial administrative leadership experience, preferably at a research university; a record of distinguished teaching, research and intellectual leadership in a field in the life sciences division; success in — or aptitude for — external and alumni relations and development; an established record of advancing diversity; and credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor. Experience in, and/or significant knowledge of, the University of California is preferred.

Situated on 419 acres, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, UCLA is enriched by the cultural diversity of the dynamic greater Los Angeles area, as well as the geographic advantages of Southern California. One of the world’s preeminent public research universities, UCLA is an international leader in breadth and quality of academic, research, health care, wellness, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs, with more than 4,700 faculty members who teach nearly 46,000 students in the College of Letters and Science and 12 professional schools. UCLA is consistently ranked among the top institutions nationally for research funding, having generated more than $1 billion in research grants and contracts annually in six of the past eight years.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. To be ensured full consideration, please email a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to LifeSciDeanSearch@conet.ucla.edu by Friday, February 14, 2020. Address inquiries to Traci Considine, manager of executive recruitment in the Office of the Chancellor (310-206-8003).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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 (PDF).