Chair Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

Application Window

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine is seeking a new Department Chair, with a strong commitment to teaching, research and service that will promote the success of all student communities and that will address the needs of our increasingly diverse state, faculty, and student populations. A key leader at the UC Davis School of Medicine, the new Chair will build on the success of prior leadership, leveraging the talents of a diverse faculty, staff, and students, to chart continued success and increase the national and international reputation of the department’s important research and educational endeavors.

The next Chair will inherit an exceptional foundation for the inevitable transformation of the Department into one that is nationally ranked and recognized for leading cutting-edge research and education. The department includes a strong array of competitive research programs. The research interests of the departmental faculty are focused on the fundamental molecular aspects of cell biology, gene expression, cancer biology, membrane biology, glycobiology, neurobiology, muscle physiology, human genetics, chemical, and structural biology, molecular imaging, and drug development. The Chair will maintain and enhance the success that the department has experienced over the past decade while driving innovation in the basic and translational science more broadly. UC Davis is also committed to expanding entrepreneurialism as reflected in the Aggie Square initiative led by the Office of the Chancellor with the City of Sacramento. The School of Medicine as an anchor tenant. https://aggiesquare.ucdavis.edu/

The Chair must be a compelling leader whose passion for the educational and research missions energize the faculty, students, and staff, focusing their efforts on a strategic vision of excellence in all missions. He/she must also be a competent and prudent steward of the Department, guiding it through what will almost certainly be uncharted territories of change in the scientific, healthcare, and social environment. Importantly, the Chair must be viewed by all stakeholders as a strong advocate for balancing the research and educational missions. He/she/they will promote a culture of institutional stewardship and transparency, including commitment to improved business operations, efficient and effective use of space, and a willingness to re-align resources with evolving strategies. The leader must also reflect the values of diversity, equity and inclusion which are strong principles at UC Davis.

The departmental mission is to conduct world-class research in biochemistry and molecular medicine. To excel in undergraduate, graduate, and medical education, and to serve the university through leadership in forums committed to graduate and professional school admissions and curriculum.

Academic Senate faculty member responsibilities include: clinical service in the area of specialty, as applicable; teaching medical students, residents, and fellows; conducting and producing scholarly work, clinical/translational research; a record of peer-reviewed publications; success in obtaining extramural funding, as applicable; and University service. All responsibilities will be further determined based on faculty series.

UCDSOM actively seeks candidates whose experience and interests are aligned with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and excellence. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, including women and members of groups traditionally underrepresented in executive leadership roles..

The UC Davis School of Medicine has retained AMN Leadership Solutions, Inc., an executive search firm, to assist in this recruitment effort. The search committee intends to conduct its first round of confidential interviews in late summer/early fall 2021.

The confidential review of nominations and screening of complete applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Prospects nominated and/or those who wish to be considered by the Recruitment Advisory Committee must provide an electronic version of their cover letter/statement of interest (include a brief bullet point summary of administrative roles they have held and their accomplishments in each, particularly in an academic medical center), as well as a diversity statement addressing aspirations and contributions to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their professional careers, curriculum vitae, a list of at least six professional references and an Authorization to Release Information form (https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/your-resources/forms-and-checklists/forms/authorization-release-form.pdf). To be ensured of full consideration, email the items above to: aaron.mitra@amnhealthcare.com. Electronic submission of the requested materials is required. For additional information, inquiries, nominations, and applications please email aaron.mitra@amnhealthcare.com.

About UC Davis School of Medicine
UC Davis School of Medicine (SOM) is a nation-leading academic and medical training institution. Nearly 1,000 studies are currently underway in basic-science, translational and clinical research areas funded by federal and state governments, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, private foundations and philanthropy.

The School of Medicine Office of Research (SOMOR) manages research awards and proposals, oversees laboratory safety and research space, provides researchers with guidance and support for grant submissions and entrepreneurial initiatives and facilitates industry alliances.
Additional information available at links below:
• https://health.ucdavis.edu/medresearch/
• https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/insideout/uc-davis-school-of-medicine-recognized-as-research-university-powerhouse/2019/02
• https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/medschool/school-of-medicine-receives-high-marks-in-new-us-news--world-report-rankings/2018/03
• https://health.ucdavis.edu/medschool/research/index.html

UC Davis commits to inclusion excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct. If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the department.

UC Davis and UC Davis Health System are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis and/or UC Davis Health System -- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots, industrial and residential space.

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 positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all finalists for tenured positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for assistant/associate/full professor to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into 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. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for positions with tenure or security of employment will be subject to reference checks.

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany an invited faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender)
of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html.

UC Davis recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty with efforts to integrate work, family and other work-life considerations. To recruit and retain the best faculty, the campus sponsors a Work Life Program that provides programs and services that support faculty as they strive to honor their commitments to work, home and community. http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html.

The UC Davis Partner Opportunities Program (POP) is a service designed to support departments and Deans offices in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty. Eligibility for POP services is limited, for full program details please visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/partner-opp/index.html.

This position requires an MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree. For MD applicants’ additional requirements include, board-certification and fellowship training as applicable to specialty and if subspecialty trained and possess or be eligible for a California Medical License.

Qualified applicants must also possess academic credentials that qualify for appointment at the Full Professor rank at the University of California.

The ideal candidate will have a national reputation of successful research and research leadership – for example through leading an interdisciplinary research program, division or department – knowledge of national research trends, and a significant record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong history of written and verbal communication with a track record of working in a matrix organization.

The individual will have strong interpersonal skills, the capacity to work collaboratively and effectively with others, experience managing space and financial resources, and an ability to inspire colleagues and staff to achieve excellent results.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• 5 required (contact information only)