Dean - College of Chemistry

The University of California, Berkeley College of Chemistry, ranked among the very top in the world in its fields of study, seeks a dynamic leader and accomplished scholar to serve as the next Dean of the College of Chemistry.

Now over 150 years old, Chemistry at UC Berkeley has been part of the University since its founding. The College of Chemistry has been recognized for many of the field’s most important discoveries, such as adding 16 elements to the periodic table. College faculty and alumni have been awarded 19 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and 9 Wolf Prizes in Chemistry and Medicine, in addition to 39 elections to the National Academy of Sciences awards, and an ever-growing list of major awards and honors across the College of Chemistry.

Notably, the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Professor Emeritus Omar Yaghi, for his groundbreaking work “creating molecular constructions with large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow.” The College of Chemistry is comprised of two departments: the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE)

The Dean serves as the chief academic officer and executive officer of the College of Chemistry. The Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost (EVCP) and has 10 direct reports, including the undergraduate dean, one executive associate dean, one associate dean, three senior assistant deans, two department chairs, and two staff. The Dean will articulate and execute a strategic vision for the future of the College of Chemistry.

They will be a clear and open communicator, who actively listens, models how to participate in UC Berkeley’s tradition of shared governance, and leads the College through change. The Dean will also cultivate financial resources to sustain and further the College’s excellence, embracing existing community and industry partnerships, while seeking out and establishing new revenue sources and partnerships for program support, infrastructure improvements, academic exploration, and future development needs.

Critically, they will sustain and enhance the College’s academic reputation by ensuring that its resources, capacity, and academic needs are prioritized. The Dean will be a visible and engaged leader of the College, supporting all faculty, staff, and students in the community, and reducing barriers to success. Finally, the Dean will embody—and advance—UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community and the College’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community built on mutual respect.

They will uphold UC Berkeley’s commitment to providing fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and professional activity appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at the level of full professor at UC Berkeley. To be considered as candidates, applicants must have a doctoral degree or equivalent international degree at the time of application and submit a CV, preferably with a detailed letter of interest that responds to the agenda for leadership and the desired attributes for the new dean.

Applicants must apply directly on the AP Recruit website. For fullest consideration, materials should be received by Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Dana Jantz, Chief of Staff to the Vice Provost for the Faculty, at jantz.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

This is a sensitive position and is subject to a criminal background check.

Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree or an equivalent international degree by the time of application.