Robert E. Chason Endowed Chair in Translational Research, MIND Institute

Position Overview

Salary range: The salary range for this position is $200,000-$400,000. This position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan.

Open date: December 9, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 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.

The MIND Institute at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full-time faculty member in the In-Residence or Regular/In-Residence split series at the advanced Assistant/Associate/Full Professor rank in the field of translational research in neurodevelopmental conditions. Faculty in this series are expected to engage in teaching, independent research and creative work, demonstrate professional competence and activity, and provide University and public service.

Expectations

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in neuroscience with demonstrated ability to garner external funding. Understanding that the term translational neurodevelopmental disabilities research holds many meanings, we provide examples of areas of study that candidates may be engaged in, although this list is not necessarily exhaustive:

• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) research that helps clarify basic biology, the existence of phenotypic differences, and/or treatment strategies for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Clinical and basic cognitive neuroscience using novel neuroimaging or other techniques, and sophisticated data analytic methods or computational approaches to help reveal how brain circuits process information through development. Such studies might offer leads for biomarker development, early diagnosis and treatment, clarification of the link between brain functioning and symptoms, better understanding of how interventions work, and that generally promote precision medicine approaches that help autistic persons and individuals with other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Behavioral neuroscience that utilizes animal models that incorporate genetic or environmental constructs, to promote the understanding of behavioral and biological phenotypes, and to identify biomarkers and molecular mechanisms that may underlie them, with the goal of improving the precision of pharmacological interventions and other treatments for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Genetics and genomics research that clarifies molecular contributions to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions and phenotypes to identify relevant pathways and druggable targets that more precisely map to autism biology, leading to advances in drug development for autistic persons and individuals with other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Other efforts to understand the factors at the genetic, molecular, and cellular systems level that contribute to the development of the autism phenotype and those of other neurodevelopmental conditions through different phases of the lifespan with the goal of improving the lives of individuals with these phenotypes.

More specifically, they will be expected to:

• Lead and conduct translational science research in neurodevelopmental conditions, as evidenced by appropriate scientific publications.
• Provide leadership by bringing national and international recognition to the MIND Institute via understanding and treatment for neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Garner funding for their own research and programmatic efforts across MIND Institute disciplines and expertise.
• Maintain an active relationship with the local professional community and enhance the academic and intellectual life of the MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, and UC Davis.
• Participate in appropriate professional societies and educational organizations, including taking a leadership role in those organizations.
• Participate in service on research review boards.
• Engage in teaching and scholarly activities focused in the area of neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Teach courses regularly for undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or medical students in the area of neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Mentor early career scientists, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Provide service to department, school and campus committees.
• Foster collegiality and work collaboratively in a diverse environment.
• Adhere to University policies and procedures.
• Research focus area should be in translational neurodevelopmental disabilities research, including but not limited to iPSCs, cognitive neuroscience, genetics/genomics, and genome manipulation using diverse model systems.

The incumbent will be the holder of the Robert

E. Chason Endowed Chair in Translational Research at the UC Davis MIND Institute. The MIND Institute is an…