Associate​/Full Professor - Affective Motivational Neuroscience

Posting Number F01090P Position Title Associate/Full Professor - Affective Motivational Neuroscience Functional Title Associate/Full Professor - Affective Motivational Neuroscience Department Neuroscience Salary Range Negotiable Pay Basis Monthly Position Status Academic Year Location Richardson Position End Date (if temporary) Posting Open Date 10/31/2025 Posting Close Date 02/28/2026 Open Until Filled No Desired Start Date 08/01/2026

Job Summary

Position Description

The Department of Neuroscience in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas seeks a late-stage Associate or Full Professor faculty member to lead the formation of a new Center focused in affective and motivational neuroscience. The Department currently consists of 31 faculty members, eight of whom have research programs that are focused within this theme.

The new hire would both lead the formation and serve as the director of the new Center. We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a strong record of nationally and internationally recognized, externally funded research, and demonstrated leadership experience, to shape the direction of growth in affective and motivational neuroscience research at UT Dallas.

The ideal candidate will leverage and extend existing Department strengths in areas such as reward seeking, reinforcement learning, affective behaviors, and/or the interplay of these processes in the context of disorders such as substance misuse, stress and anxiety, or movement disorders. Candidates should also demonstrate an extensive history of excellence in teaching and mentoring of trainees at all levels. Faculty will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to their area of expertise.

This appointment commences for the fall 2026 semester.

Qualifications

Minimum

Education and Experience:

A PhD or equivalent in neuroscience, neurobiology, or a related discipline, postdoctoral training, and a robust record of research, teaching, and service in an academic faculty position or positions are required. Additionally, candidates should have a strong vision for growth of research and educational programs within the affective and motivational neuroscience space and the ability to implement this vision through development and management of specific strategic plans.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, engaging, and dynamic environment comprised of individuals with a range of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. We are seeking candidates able to produce research and scholarly or creative achievements that enhance the program and the discipline, and able to deliver high quality teaching using evidence-based practices to effectively engage students from a range of backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred

Education and Experience:

In addition to a robust record of academic accomplishment, competitive candidates will have a history of academic leadership and/or development and management of large-scale collaborative research programs. Ideal candidates should demonstrate the ability to foster a collaborative research environment, support the professional development of Center faculty, and facilitate the acquisition of external funding.

UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience

The University of Texas at Dallas is a Carnegie R1 Research Institution and is among the fastest growing universities in the nation. The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) is one of seven schools at UT Dallas and is ranked 2nd in total new research grants and research expenditures over the past year. BBS stands uniquely positioned to advance knowledge and improve lives through the efforts of its 111 faculty members and 3,000 students.

In North Texas, BBS serves as a trailblazer where research, education, and clinical training come together to prepare future leaders. It is home to world-class faculty with work ranging from bench-top to bedside studies, and ample resources and opportunities for students and faculty members alike.

In the past year, BBS was recognized by the Blue Ridge Institute for being #1 in Texas and #3 in the United States for NIH funding for schools of its type. Within BBS, faculty members are surrounded by colleagues who interface with science and technology at every level of translation - with a keen focus on using our science to impact the health and well-being of people around the world while training the scientific leaders of tomorrow.

Collectively, BBS leads UT Dallas in R&D rate and new awards per faculty as well as many student success metrics across the university.

The Department of Neuroscience has 21 research faculty and 10 instructional faculty with extensive extramural funding and robust output of publications. It is home to the Systems and Cellular Neuroscience PhD program track with over 50 current students and the Neuroscience undergraduate BS degree with approximately 1,000 students;…