Position overview
Salary range:
“Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay (i.e., a salary that is higher than the published systemwide salary at the designated rank and step), are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $150,200–$253,500, inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components, but exclusive of an annual director stipend.
Application Window
Open date: August 24, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Oct 11, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 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
We invite applications for the position of Director of the Center for Mind and Brain (Center for Mind and Brain), at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis. The Center for Mind and Brain (CMB) is an interdisciplinary research facility comprising faculty from multiple disciplines within the College of Letters and Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Biological Sciences and School of Medicine. For nearly 25 years, the CMB has been a nationally and internationally recognized leader in research on the human mind and brain. Combining strengths in cognitive and developmental psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, neurology, computational modeling and more, the 21 core faculty investigate the full arc of human mind and brain science across the lifespan to understand how minds develop, adapt, and thrive, while supporting and training undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in leading-edge research. The Department of Psychology (Psychology) includes 41 faculty conducting research and teaching in 5 core areas, including cognition, perception and cognitive neuroscience; developmental psychology; biological psychology; quantitative psychology; and social and personality psychology. Our collaborative, interdisciplinary culture fosters innovation and supports high-impact scholarship.
The successful candidate for Director will be expected to assume a high-profile leadership role to support and advance the research and training excellence of the CMB. The Director will hold a 50% administrative appointment for an initial 5-year period, with potential for renewal. The Director will be expected to implement a vision for expanding the CMB’s mission as a world-renowned research hub, to promote the individual and collaborative research programs of the CMB faculty, to identify and lead new opportunities for growth, and to strengthen the CMB’s ties to the many affiliated units at UC Davis, as well as international sites. The Director’s own research program could be in any area that is complementary to the mission of the CMB and the Department of Psychology.
To be considered, applicants must have a PhD degree, an excellent record of accomplishment in scholarly research and teaching, and demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. Demonstrated success in obtaining federal and philanthropic extramural funds is expected. The start date for this position is July 1, 2027. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm (PT) on Sunday October 11, 2026 for full consideration. Applications submitted after this date may not be considered. If you have any questions about the search or position, feel free to contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Joy Geng (jgeng@ucdavis.edu).
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
- Ph.D. or equivalent in psychology (or related field)
- Attained tenure (associate professor rank or higher) at a research university
- Excellent record of accomplishment in research on the human mind and brain
- Experience in research leadership and university administration
- Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural support for research activities
Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
- Excellent record of mentoring and teaching that supports student engagement, learning, and success at the undergraduate and Ph.D. levels
- Evidence of communication and perspective-taking skills and collegiality consistent with effective center, departmental, campus, and professional citizenship
- Demonstrated ability to engage with development and fundraising efforts
Application Requirements
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae — Your most recently updated CV
- Statement of Research — The research statement should describe your research to date and future research goals (2-3 pages).
- Statement of Leadership and Vision — The leadership and vision statement should detail your approach to leadership including relevant experience and achievements in academic leadership and your vision for the position of Director of the Center for Mind and Brain at UC Davis (2-3 pages). A detailed strategic plan for the Center is not expected.
- Statement of Teaching and Mentoring — The teaching and mentoring statement should describe your experience as well as beliefs and practices related to effective teaching and mentoring (1-2 pages).
- Representative reprint or preprint 1
- Representative reprint or preprint 2
- Representative reprint or preprint 3
- 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.
- Cover Letter — The cover letter should state your interest in the position and succinctly summarize your qualifications for being the Director of the CMB and a Professor of Psychology. (Optional)
Reference requirements
- 4-6 required (contact information only)
Contact information for at least four letter writers is required. Your letter writers are expected to be able to comment on both your research and leadership qualifications. Referees will be contacted by the search committee after initial review of applications and encouraged to submit their letters promptly.
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07814
Help contact: ycpersonnel@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 status under state or federal law.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.
UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.
The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.
The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Job location
Davis, CA
