Full Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program

About the role

The University of Rhode Island’s Department of Psychology seeks an exceptional scholar and leader to serve as Full Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program (INP).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to advance the INP's mission and expand its research, training, and educational impact.
• Mentor faculty and students across the three BS majors (Clinical Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience and Medicinal Neuroscience) and multiple disciplines (psychology, neuroscience, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, engineering and related fields).
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the colleges of Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Environment and Life Sciences as well as strengthen connections with other departments and colleges, institutional, and external research communities.
• Support curriculum development and ensure alignment with emerging trends in neuroscience education and training.
• Champion justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles throughout program operations, research initiatives, and student recruitment.
• Facilitate grant development and support faculty in securing extramural funding (National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and other sources).
• Oversee program administration including admissions, student progress, and program assessment.
• Represent the INP to university leadership, funding agencies, and the broader neuroscience community.
• Conduct independent, funded research grounded in human neuroscience, brain health, and/or related areas.

Required Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. (or equivalent terminal degree) in Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• Established record of research productivity with demonstrated ability to lead and develop externally funded research programs.
• Tenure and promotion history consistent with Full Professor rank.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and success in directing research groups, programs, or centers.
• Commitment to mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
• Track record of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Evidence of dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in research and education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in medicinal, clinical, or molecular neuroscience with a strong history of scholarship in the neuroscience field.
• Prior experience directing major academic programs or research centers.
• Prior experience obtaining and managing NIH or other major grants, with emphasis on large, collaborative or multi-institutional awards.
• Publishing record in high-impact journals.
• Experience with neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, and professional development support. Research support and startup package (negotiable). 1-course reduction in teaching load during first year to facilitate transition.

EEO Statement

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status.