Full Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by June 15, 2026. Applications received after June 15, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

About URI:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

POSITION SUMMARY:

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). This position offers a rare opportunity to lead and expand a thriving, interdisciplinary research and training program while contributing to cutting-edge neuroscience research and mentoring the next generation of researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs.

About the INP:

The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program develops researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs who investigate the physiological basis of thought, behavior, and neurological disorders. With an emphasis on practical, hands-on laboratory experience and diverse research opportunities, the INP offers:

• Bachelor's degree with three major options (Clinical Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience, Medicinal Neuroscience).
• Accelerated bachelor's to master's program.
• Master's and doctoral degrees.
• Post-baccalaureate certificate in neuroscience.

Our interdisciplinary approach provides interdisciplinary neuroscience training with particular focus on cellular and molecular, experimental, clinical, and medicinal approaches to brain disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, ALS, ADHD, communication disorders, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and other neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Director Responsibilities:

As Director, the successful candidate will:

1. Provide strategic leadership to advance the INP's mission and expand its research, training, and educational impact.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. Support curriculum development and ensure alignment with emerging trends in neuroscience education and training.
5. Champion justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles throughout program operations, research initiatives, and student recruitment.
6. Facilitate grant development and support faculty in securing extramural funding (National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and other sources).
7. Oversee program administration including admissions, student progress, and program assessment.
8. Represent the INP to university leadership, funding agencies, and the broader neuroscience community.
9. Conduct independent, funded research grounded in human neuroscience, brain health, and/or related areas.

Required Qualifications:

1. Earned Ph.D. (or equivalent terminal degree) in Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related discipline.
2. Established record of research productivity with demonstrated ability to lead and develop externally funded research programs.
3. Tenure and promotion history consistent with Full Professor rank.
4. Demonstrated leadership experience and success in directing research groups, programs, or centers.
5. Commitment to mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
6. Track record of interdisciplinary collaboration.
7. 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.

About the Department and University

The Department of Psychology at URI values interdisciplinary collaboration, methodological rigor, and scholarship that bridges neuroscience, psychology, and public health. The University of Rhode Island is a Research 1 institution committed to advancing knowledge through research, creative endeavors, and scholarly work that addresses regional and global challenges. The campus community is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all faculty, students, and staff.

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. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Psychology

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter addressing vision for the INP directorship and leadership approach (as one complete document)
(#2) Curriculum vitae.
(#3) Research statement (2-3 pages) describing research program and future directions (as one complete document).
(#4) Teaching philosophy statement (1-2 page, as one complete document).
(#5) Statement on diversity and inclusion (1-2 pages) reflecting commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in research, teaching, and mentoring (as one complete document).
Please Note: Contact information for 3 references who can speak to scholarly work and leadership capabilities will be upon request by the search committee.

Position Number: 106578
Posting Number: F00517
Posting Date: 04/03/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16585