Director, Friday Harbor Laboratories

Position Description

The College of the Environment at the University of Washington (UW) invites applications for Director of Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL), at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, without tenure by reason of designated funding, with an anticipated start date of the 2027-28 academic year. We seek applicants who demonstrate commitment to excellence in leadership, research, teaching, and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community. The successful candidate will join our faculty on a full-time basis for a twelve-month appointment. The directorship associated with this position is a 5-year term, renewable upon review and with satisfactory performance. Without Tenure faculty members are continuing appointments that have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as tenure-track and tenured faculty members at those ranks.

University of Washington faculty are encouraged to apply. Current UW faculty with a professorial track other than without tenure and are otherwise qualified will not be required to change tracks as part of the appointment terms for this directorship. Track changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis for current UW faculty.

The base salary range for this position will be $14,000.00-$22,800.00 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include an administrative supplement in recognition of directorship responsibilities, a moving allowance, a relocation incentive, and on-site housing.

Significant funding for this position is provided through the Dennis Willows Director’s Endowed Professorship. A total of 11 months of salary support will be provided during the directorship for:

• A 12-month, 50% FTE administrative appointment as Director, covering the Director’s year-round leadership and management responsibilities for FHL; and
• The equivalent of a 50% FTE appointment for 9 months (the academic year), dedicated to teaching, research, and service activities consistent with the University of Washington Faculty Code, and relevant to the candidate’s disciplinary expertise.
• One half month of summer salary.
• Additional summer salary may be obtained through grant writing or other approved funding sources to support the position in academic and/or leadership activities. The successful candidate will be expected to lead an innovative program of exceptional scientific and education quality and societal impact. The Director is expected to:

Leadership and Oversight

• Advance and champion the core FHL activities: research, education, outreach, and communications.
• Strategically support and expand a vibrant faculty program, including members of multiple academic units on the main campus and branch campuses engaged in extramurally-funded research and teaching and mentoring at undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels.
• Sustain and expand innovative undergraduate and graduate education at FHL, including interdisciplinary, experiential, and place-based learning opportunities that engage students from across the University and commensurate with College and University goals.
• Lead strategic planning and visioning for FHL’s programmatic activities in line with College and University plans and priorities.
• Manage FHL’s resources efficiently and effectively, in accordance with UW requirements and best practices. Oversee operations, safety, and maintenance of FHL’s facilities, research vessels, and diving/boating programs. Incorporate and value inclusive excellence in the workplace and among the students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, staff, and visiting scientists served by FHL.

Partnerships & Fundraising

• Develop strong, reciprocal partnerships with academic units across UW and with universities and colleges nationally and internationally to co-create innovative research, teaching, and experiential learning opportunities that build on FHL's distinctive capabilities
• Identify and pursue external funding sources, including grants, gifts, and partnerships, to expand and sustain FHL’s facilities and programs.
• Strengthen collaboration and partnerships to address pressing marine and coastal challenges with diverse national and international stakeholders and communities, including academia, Tribal Nations, government agencies, NGOs, external volunteer committees, and the San Juan Island community.

As a member of the faculty, a professor is expected to:

Teaching, Research and Service

• Teach field-based or campus courses within the candidate’s area of expertise and consistent with the position’s academic appointment.
• Maintain an active, independent program of scholarship appropriate to appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level.
• Engage in professional and scholarly service to schools, business and industry, and local, state, national, and international organizations and scholarly societies.

Founded in 1904 and one of the oldest marine field stations in the United States, Friday Harbor Laboratories occupies a 484-acre campus at Point Caution on San Juan Island, Washington, bordered by the protected waters of the Salish Sea. As a unit of the College of the Environment, FHL advances the mission of the College of the Environment and the University of Washington by providing an unparalleled living laboratory for the study of marine organisms and ecosystems, training the next generation of marine scientists, and serving as a gateway connecting the University to the San Juan Islands community and the broader public.

This is an executive-level position with university-wide responsibilities. The Director assumes overall responsibility for the leadership, operations, fundraising, and programmatic oversight of FHL. The Director works with a dedicated staff of 90 employees and over a dozen resident scientists to sustain and advance immersive undergraduate and graduate courses; independent and collaborative research across the biological, ecological, oceanographic, and environmental sciences; facilities, vessels, and safety programs, including boating and diving operations; partnerships across UW campuses, schools, and departments, other academic institutions, tribal nations, government agencies, and philanthropic partners; K-12 and public outreach; and an active scholarly community, including through the Whiteley Center residential scholar retreat program.

The Director reports to the Dean of the College of the Environment, serves on the College’s Executive Leadership Committee, and represents FHL in university-wide, regional, and national forums. The position requires the successful candidate to work daily in person on San Juan Island, with regular travel to Seattle campus and beyond.

All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research, and service.

Positive factors of consideration include, but are not limited to:

• Experience leading or administering a field station, marine laboratory, research center, or comparable academic unit.
• Experience with fundraising and donor or partnership cultivation.
• Experience with building partnerships beyond academic science, including with Tribal Nations, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Experience overseeing research vessel, diving, and/or field and laboratory safety programs.

Qualifications

Applicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• A Ph.D., or foreign equivalent, in a discipline relevant to the mission of the FHL.
• A record of scholarship, teaching, and service sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at the University of Washington.
• Three years of demonstrated leadership and management experience, including successful oversight of complex organizations, staff, budgets, facilities, or programs.
• The successful candidate will be expected to work with and respect a diversity of people, perspectives, and champion equity and inclusion in research, education, and the workplace.
• The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills and represent FHL to a wide range of scholarly and public audiences.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials no later than December 15, 2026. Priority will be given to those applications received by the priority deadline. Applications will only accepted via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/196236. The position will remain open until filled.

Applications should include the following materials:

1. A cover letter of no more than 2 pages detailing your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and experiences.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. A statement of leadership and administrative philosophy that describes previous experience and the relevance to this position.
4. A statement of research and teaching interests.

Applicants should articulate how their experiences and future plans in research, teaching, mentoring, and service prepare them to meet the expectations of the position as well as promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Please also include contact information for at least 3 references who are prepared to provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (https://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty candidate’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Applicant/candidate must include a Privacy Notice Statement in job postings for staff, academic personnel, and student positions. See the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Employees and Applicants for Employment (https://www.washington.edu/publicrecords/privacy-notice/).

Benefits Information

A generous benefits package is provided. Information about the benefits available to University of Washington faculty may be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/.

Disability Services

The University of Washington is dedicated to providing access, opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Disability Services Office: 206-543-6450/V, 206-543-6452/TTY, 206-685-7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.