Associate or Full Professor (HS Clinical, Clinical X, In-Residence, Adjunct) Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery

Position overview

Position title: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Faculty Salary range: The posted UC Salary scales set the minimum pay at the appointment as determined by appointment type and if applicable, rank and/or step. The base pay range for this position is $500,000 - $1,500,000. Salary is negotiated annually. Additional compensation may be available if the position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan. UC Salary information can be found here: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/2024-25-academic-salary-scales.html.

Application Window

Open date: July 1, 2025
Most recent review date: Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Wednesday, Jul 1, 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.

Position description

The University of California, San Diego, Department of Surgery (https://surgery.ucsd.edu), the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (https://surgery.ucsd.edu/divisions/cardiothoracic), and the UC San Diego Cardiovascular Institute are committed to academic excellence within the faculty, staff, and student body. We are recruiting an experienced surgeon to help lead our nationally recognized Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support program. Distinguished candidates with leadership experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered to serve as the Chief of Cardiac Transplantation with the potential for an Endowed Chair in Cardiac Surgery.

We are seeking a visionary surgeon, preferably with national/international recognition in cardiac transplantation to help oversee and further expand our leading End-Stage Heart Disease and Cardiac Transplantation Program at the UC San Diego Cardiovascular Institute. The faculty, in close collaboration with their medical counterparts, will provide surgical leadership, foster innovation in clinical care, and help shape the future of education, research, and community engagement within the program.

Program Highlights:

• Located in La Jolla, California, the UC San Diego Cardiovascular Institute is nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in cardiovascular care, with tremendous program expansion over the last decade.
• Performs approximately 90 heart transplants annually, with top-tier national outcomes as measured by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
• Leader in Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) and Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) organ procurement techniques.
• Performs approximately 60 lung transplants annually, with top-tier national outcomes as measured by SRTR.
• Global leader in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), performing approximately 180 pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgeries annually.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct the clinical and operational aspects of the cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support program.
• Collaborate closely with medical faculty colleagues to enhance clinical excellence in multidisciplinary care.
• Provide surgical leadership and day-to-day oversight of the end-stage heart disease and cardiac transplantation program.
• Strategically advance clinical services, research opportunities, and academic training.
• Mentor and teach surgical fellows, residents, and medical students within the educational mission of the School of Medicine.
• Advance and expand the mission and stature of the division and department through scholarly activities, including grant writing, grand rounds, advocacy, and/or participation on local, regional, or national committees or organizations.

The appropriate series and appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level will be based on the candidate's background and experience.

A link to full descriptions of each series is provided for your review:
HS Clinical Professor - see: http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-278.pdf
Clinical X Professor - see: http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-275.pdf
In-Residence Professor - see: http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-270.pdf
Adjunct Professor - see: http://ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-280.pdf

As a member of the Health Sciences Compensation Plan, the appointee should be aware that there are limitations on outside professional activities, and clinical moonlighting is expressly prohibited. Additional information can be found here: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-671.pdf

Appointments may require candidates to be self-funded.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Candidates must have an MD, DO, or an equivalent degree.
• Candidates must be board certified or board eligible in Thoracic Surgery or a closely related specialty.
• Candidates must have a minimum of four years of experience in clinical care, research, teaching, and leadership.
• Candidates must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a California medical license or equivalent certification/permit as determined by the Medical Board of California.

Preferred qualifications

Candidates with a minimum of four years of experience in adult congenital heart disease, complex cardiac surgery, or pulmonary endarterectomy are preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)