Now Recruiting: Director of the Institute of the Environment

The Office of Research is conducting a search for Director of the Institute of the Environment (IE). This position is open to tenured members of the UC Davis Academic Senate with appointment at the advanced associate or full Professor level and will be for 5 years at 50% time with the possibility of reappointment after administrative review. Apply through the UC Davis RECRUIT online system by May 4, 2026. See the full Scope of Work for further information. For informal discussions on any aspect of the position or your potential application, please contact Office of Research; HR Analyst Satti Kaur at [email protected].

General Description

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research and/or designate, the Director of the Institute will provide leadership, vision, and advocacy for several unique established centers within the Institute, while also expanding and seeding new activities in relevant research areas linked to climate science and environmental research more broadly. The Director will foster collaboration and develop comprehensive strategies to address environmental and health challenges.

The Director will both sustain and nurture existing partnerships and lead efforts to develop new connections between campus researchers and with external partners in government, academia, NGOs, and corporations. Within the UC Davis community, the Director will lead environmental research and outreach programs that should attract faculty from a broad range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, biological, chemical, and physical sciences, environmental science and engineering, and both animal and human health sciences. The Director will work to keep UC Davis at the international forefront of environmental research.

Summary Qualifications and Experience

  • Tenured Academic Senate appointment at the advanced associate or full Professor level at UC Davis.
  • Demonstrated high level of accomplishment in scholarly publication and teaching in environmental science or a related field.
  • Evidence of success in winning/participating in externally funded interdisciplinary grants.
  • Demonstrated managerial accomplishments in academic/professional settings, such as serving as Department Chair or Vice Chair, Graduate Group chair, or in any other administrative leadership role.
  • Strong understanding of environmental trends and issues from scientific, political, and policy perspectives at the local, state, national, and global scales.
  • Excellent public speaking skills to facilitate and lead connections to various constituents, internal and external to the university, within the academic and scientific community, to policy makers, and to the public at large.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated willingness and aptitude for working with others within and external to UC Davis.

Application Procedure and Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, for full consideration, please submit your application by May 4, 2026. Please submit the following electronically at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07576:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Cover Letter
  • Statement of Research (about 2 pages)
  • Statement of Teaching and Mentorship (optional, about 2 pages)
  • Statement of past administrative experience and vision for IE (about 2 pages)
  • Authorization to Release Information

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In conformance with applicable law and university policy, the University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The university undertakes affirmative action for underrepresented minorities and women, for persons with disabilities and for Vietnam-era veterans and disabled veterans. Affirmative actions include training programs, outreach efforts, and other positive steps to ensure equal employment opportunity.