Director of the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment and Clinical Ast/Aso/Professor

Join the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine as a full-time (1.0 FTE) tenure-track Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor and Director of the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF CAN). This leadership role offers the opportunity to guide a multidisciplinary center dedicated to clinical care, research, education, and community engagement for individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders.

About the Role

The ideal candidate will be a licensed Psychiatrist (MD) or Psychologist (PhD) with expertise in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, program development, and academic leadership. This position involves overseeing strategic planning, program innovation, and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across university departments, state agencies, and peer institutions. The Director will also engage in direct clinical care, teaching, and research.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the UF Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF CAN), ensuring high standards of service delivery and organizational efficiency.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to elevate program quality, visibility, and statewide impact.
• Promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement across the Center.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and institutional leadership to streamline processes and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Work with University of Florida and state leadership to promote and fund initiatives improving the lives of people with autism.
• Design and launch new programs to expand access to education, screening, diagnosis, and clinical care locally and statewide.
• Coordinate resources and work with stakeholders statewide to ensure equitable access to educational and therapeutic services.
• Optimize resource allocation and staffing to support sustainable program growth.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing autism services and education.
• Implement assessment frameworks to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on program participation, outcomes, and community impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison with state and local agencies to promote public awareness and advocate for autism-related initiatives.
• Represent the Center at national conferences and in partnerships with peer institutions.
• Lead coordination efforts with statewide Centers for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) to support integration and alignment of information dissemination.
• Provide direct clinical services to individuals with autism and their families, consistent with expertise and licensure.
• Evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of clinical services and identify areas for growth.
• Provide clinical supervision and didactic education to learners at all levels, including psychiatry residents, fellows, and undergraduates.
• Oversee the development of educational materials for allied health personnel, teachers, and other professionals.
• Conduct and publish original research in professional journals.
• Contribute to grant writing and execution of faculty-engaged autism-related research.
• Oversee the establishment and management of a peer review and grant agency to evaluate and approve funding for specialized programs.

Requirements

• MD or clinical PhD with advanced training in a field relevant to autism (e.g., psychiatry, clinical psychology).
• Licensed or license-eligible in the state of Florida.
• Clinical expertise in autism assessment and/or treatment.
• Board certified in a relevant field (MD).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in education, including teaching, training, lecturing, and didactic methodologies.
• Previous clinical supervision of students across multiple levels of academic programs.
• Active membership in a national professional organization with up-to-date knowledge in the field of autism.
• Recent or past funding for research projects in autism-related areas.
• Demonstrated experience managing and sustaining large-scale infrastructure and program operations.
• Proven success working with Autism and Neurodivergent individuals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans.
• Flexible spending accounts and wellness programs.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans with employer contributions.
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays, and personal days).
• Eight weeks of paid parental and medical leave.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Discounts on campus and local services and activities.

About the Department of Psychiatry

Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida are involved in a broad range of clinical and research initiatives through departmental centers, labs, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The department includes a large outpatient center with various specialty clinics, including one affiliated with the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, along with inpatient services, a psychiatry collaborative program for primary care providers, school-based consultation programs, and community mental health consultation services.

The department offers clinical services and training in adult, child and adolescent, and addiction psychiatry, including operations at a freestanding psychiatric hospital, a consult-liaison service at UF Health Shands Hospital, and the Florida Recovery Center. Research initiatives include the Center for Addiction Research & Education and the Center for OCD and Related Disorders (COARD). UF is also an active site for the NIH-funded Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

About Gainesville

Located in North Central Florida, Gainesville is home to the state’s oldest and largest university. It is a recognized hub for education, healthcare, research, the arts, and innovation, frequently ranked among the top college towns and best places to live or retire. The city offers natural beauty, preserved historic charm, and a wide range of parks, museums, lakes, and cultural attractions.