Brain Imaging Center Director

Sacbar; Santa Barbara, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for an open-rank, tenured or tenure-track faculty position in Human Neuroscience to serve as the Director of the UCSB Brain Imaging Center (BIC). The successful candidate will lead a cutting-edge research program and provide strategic leadership for a campus core facility with MRI and EEG capabilities.

Responsibilities include securing funding, managing staff, overseeing equipment maintenance, and supporting UCSB’s neuroimaging

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D. in Psychological & Brain Sciences or related field (or equivalent).
• Record of an active, funded research program in human neuroscience.
• Experience with MRI/fMRI methods and brain imaging infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead as Director of UCSB Brain Imaging Center, providing strategic and operational leadership for state-of-the-art imaging facilities.
• Secure external funding, manage staff, oversee equipment maintenance and upgrades, and govern access policies.
• Contribute to the academic life of the department through teaching, mentoring, recruitment, and service.

Skills

Leadership experience

Teaching experience

Collaborative skills

Education

Ph.D. or M.D. in Psychological & Brain Sciences or related field

Tools

MRI

fMRI

Brain imaging hardware

Job description

Job #JPF03164Psychological and Brain Sciences / College of Letters & Science - Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences / UC Santa Barbara
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor , Full ProfessorSalary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $130,000 to $400,000. Applicants that currently hold a senate faculty position at another UC campus should be aware of the policies governing intercampus faculty hiring & transfers. These policies can be found at UCOP APM 510-18.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: July 1, 2027 or later
Application Window
Open date: September 21, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, Nov 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 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 Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for an open-rank, tenured or tenure-track faculty position in Human Neuroscience (or a related field) to serve as the Director of the UCSB Brain Imaging Center (BIC). The ideal candidate will bring an active, cutting-edge research program in any domain of human neuroscience along with technical expertise, leadership skills, and a compelling vision for advancing the Center's core research mission.

As Director of the BIC, the successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for a state-of-the-art campus core facility. Equipped with a 3T Siemens PRISMAfit MRI system, MRI-compatible high-density EEG hardware, and advanced stimulus presentation devices, the Center supports cutting-edge structural and functional brain imaging research across campus. Directorship responsibilities include identifying growth opportunities for the BIC to advance a vibrant and innovative research program, securing external funding, managing administrative staff, and overseeing technical equipment maintenance and upgrades. The Director will also govern scanner access policies, handle annual budgeting and reporting, coordinate protocols for incidental findings, and actively support the broader UCSB neuroimaging community.

In addition to leading the BIC, the candidate will contribute fully to the academic life of the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. Responsibilities of faculty members generally include the development of an actively funded research program of high quality, teaching at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, mentorship of undergraduate students, recruitment, supervision, and mentorship of graduate students, and participation in university service and professional activities that meets expectations for faculty rank and step. UCSB fosters a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that connects brain sciences with bioengineering, computer science, biological sciences, and linguistics.
Department: https://psych.ucsb.edu/

Lab: https://bic.ucsb.edu/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)A Ph.D.or M.D., or equivalent degree conferred in Psychological and Brain Sciences or a discipline related to use of neuroimaging technologies
Additional qualifications (required at time of start) 4 years of experience in a Tenure Track position (Assistant Prof. or equivalent) OR present appointment as an Associate Professor or higher
Minimum of 4 years using MRI brain imagining technology .
Preferred qualifications Minimum of 5 years of direct experience with MRI brain imaging methodologies.
An active, cutting-edge research program aligned or synergistic with one or more core departmental areas (Cognition, Perception, & Cognitive Neuroscience; Neurobiology & Behavior; Social Psychology; or Developmental & Evolutionary Psychology).
Record of scholarly publications using brain imaging techniques and/or analyzing brain imaging data.
Previous leadership experience within a department, university, or core facility.
Experience with technical oversight of brain imaging equipment and infrastructure.
Experience in a clinical environment using brain imaging technology/(f)MRI
Experience teaching (f)MRI methods at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

Application Requirements
Document requirementsCurriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - Cover letters should include a brief summary of educational qualifications, research interests and how they align with the department's focus, notable publications, grants, and projects.
Statement of Research - Please describe research experience and interests, highlighting major contributions to the field thus far as well as areas to be investigated in future work. This statement may also include information about the candidate’s open science practices, possible areas of collaboration within the department or campus, and the potential for sustained impact of the research (3 pages max)
Statement of Teaching & Mentoring - Please describe teaching experience and interests, highlighting courses taught and/or planned, and teaching approaches and practices (e.g., lecturing style, assessment choices) adopted or likely to be adopted in these courses. This statement should also include a description of mentoring experience and approach (3 pages max)
Statement of Experience with Brain Imaging Technology and Future Vision of the Brain Imaging Center - Please describe training background, experience with, and approach to solving technical issues associated with modern MRI systems. If the candidate has played a key role in newly-developed methods or approaches, these should be highlighted. If there is prior experience in a leadership role supporting an imaging center, this should be described. This statement should articulate a vision for the future of UCSB's Brain Imaging Center in terms of research collaborations, funding, and innovations in brain imaging technology. (4 pages max)
Representative Publication #1 - Uploaded publications are encouraged to demonstrate scholarly accomplishments related to neuroimaging and/or creative or novel uses of neuroimaging to advance understanding of the human mind and brain
Representative Publication #2
Representative Publication #3
Reference requirements
3 required (contact information only)
Applicants should provide the names and contact information for 3 references and reference letters will be requested at the shortlist stage. Reference letters should address the candidate's potential as the BIC Director.<