UC Irvine's Appeal as a Premier Academic Employer

The University of California, Irvine (UCI), consistently ranks among the nation's top public universities, offers a vibrant ecosystem for academic careers. With its recent ascent to 32nd place in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings—its highest ever—and ninth among publics for the eleventh straight year, UCI attracts top talent seeking impactful roles in research, teaching, and leadership. Nestled in sunny Orange County, the campus combines cutting-edge facilities, collaborative culture, and proximity to Southern California's innovation hubs, making UCI university jobs highly sought after for those eyeing top faculties and academic opportunities.

UCI's strengths span STEM, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences, fueled by substantial research funding and a commitment to diversity. Faculty here contribute to breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, cancer research, and climate solutions, while enjoying competitive salaries and robust support for career growth. Whether you're a tenure-track aspirant or lecturer, UCI provides pathways to excellence amid a supportive environment that prioritizes work-life balance and professional development.

Overall Rankings and Institutional Strengths

UCI's climb in rankings underscores its appeal for academic professionals. In the latest U.S. News evaluations, undergraduate programs in computer science rank 25th nationally, psychology 26th, nursing 28th, business 32nd, and engineering 35th. Globally, Times Higher Education places UCI in the top 100 for arts and humanities, and top 150 for medical and health fields. These accolades reflect heavy investments in faculty resources, with UCI designated as an R1 research university and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

Faculty awards further highlight UCI's prestige: five Nobel laureates among alumni and professors, including recent honorees in chemistry. This environment fosters academic opportunities where scholars can lead interdisciplinary initiatives, secure major grants, and mentor the next generation. For job seekers, UCI's focus on social mobility—13th nationally—and veteran support signals an inclusive hiring ethos that values diverse backgrounds.

Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences: Tech Innovation Hub

The Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences (ICS) stands out as one of UCI's crown jewels for faculty careers, with top-tier rankings in computer science and informatics. Current openings include an Associate Adjunct Professor in Computer Science (JPF10052, deadline April 10, 2026) and Unit 18 Lecturer in Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (JPF09953, open until May 22, 2026). These roles emphasize AI, machine learning, and systems, aligning with California's tech boom.

ICS faculty enjoy access to state-of-the-art labs and collaborations with industry giants like Google and NVIDIA. Research funding here is robust, supporting projects in cybersecurity, data science, and virtual reality. Salaries for assistant professors start around $90,000-$117,000, scaling up significantly with tenure. The school's emphasis on interdisciplinary work—spanning statistics (Lecturer Unit 18, JPF10017)—makes it ideal for dynamic academics building long-term careers. Explore ICS openings directly on UCI's recruitment portal.

Henry Samueli School of Engineering: Cutting-Edge Research Frontiers

Engineering at UCI, ranked 35th nationally, offers abundant UCI faculty jobs in electrical engineering and beyond. A Lecturer position in Electrical Engineering (JPF09928, open until December 2026) highlights demand for educators in circuits, signals, and emerging tech like photonics. The school's proximity to aerospace and biotech firms in Irvine provides unmatched collaboration opportunities.

Faculty here lead NSF-funded projects and startups, with specialized salary scales for engineering professors often exceeding standard ladders (B/E/E/I scales). Career progression includes tenure-track paths with summer research stipends. UCI's engineering alumni network and venture funding ecosystem amplify professional impact, making it a top choice for ambitious engineers transitioning to academia.

School of Medicine: Leadership Roles in Health Sciences

The UCI School of Medicine dominates hiring, with over 20 openings across divisions like Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Obstetrics/Gynecology. Positions range from Chiefs (e.g., Division of Infectious Diseases, JPF10068) to Health Sciences Clinical Professors in Pulmonary and Nephrology. Postdocs and Specialists abound, signaling expansion in clinical research.

Health Sciences Compensation Plan (HSCP) offers premium pay—often $240,000-$310,000 for neurology benchmarks—plus incentives for patient care and grants. UCI Health's all-electric hospital and translational institutes provide faculty with clinical trials and NIH funding access. For medical academics, UCI blends teaching, research, and practice seamlessly. Review detailed HSCP scales for competitive compensation.

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School of Law and Humanities: Intellectual Depth and Flexibility

UCI School of Law seeks a Visiting Assistant/Professor for 2026-2027 (JPF10003) and Assistant Adjunct in Clinical Law (JPF10066). Humanities features roles in History (Modern Iranian, JPF10035; Technology History, JPF09897) and French Literature (JPF10045). These positions suit scholars passionate about interdisciplinary inquiry.

Law faculty benefit from specialized scales and clinic leadership, while humanities offers robust sabbaticals. UCI's emphasis on public impact—through policy centers—enhances publication and funding prospects.

Competitive Salaries, Benefits, and Career Advancement

UCI faculty salaries follow UC scales with 3.2% increases for 2025-26. Ladder-rank Assistant Professors start at ~$90,000 (up to $117,000), Associates $110,000+, Full Professors $150,000-$200,000+, higher in specialized fields. Average professor salary nears $186,000, per Glassdoor data.

Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, pension, sabbaticals, and research stipends. NSF CAREER Institute aids early-career faculty. Pay equity studies ensure fairness. UCI's rankings boost marketability.

Application Process and Hiring Trends

Apply via recruit.ap.uci.edu, submitting CV, statements, references. Deadlines vary; full consideration often spring for fall hires. Trends show hiring surges in health sciences (clinical professors), ICS (AI/ML), and public health amid post-pandemic needs.

• Diversity statements required for equity focus.
• Postdocs bridge to tenure-track.
• Unit 18 Lecturers offer stable entry.

Research Funding and Interdisciplinary Opportunities

UCI's Office of Research supports grantsmanship, with RDOs aiding proposals. Top funders: NIH, NSF, DOE. ICS and Engineering excel in federal awards; Medicine leads translational. Centers like ICTS foster collaborations, ideal for grant-heavy careers.

Location Perks and Work-Life Balance

Irvine's safe suburbs, beaches, and tech scene enhance life. UCI's family-friendly policies, on-campus childcare, and wellness programs support balance. Faculty report high satisfaction amid collaborative culture.

Photo by Anthony Mensah on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Growth in Key Areas

With expansions in AI, biotech, and sustainability, UCI university jobs will proliferate. Strategic hires in epidemiology and occupational health signal public health emphasis. Aspiring academics will find UCI a launchpad for tenure and leadership.