Director, Institute of Behavioral Science

CU Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

CU Advantage program

ECO Pass

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder seeks applications for the Director of the Institute of Behavioral Science (IBS). The Director provides strategic leadership, sets a clear vision, and ensures effective management, operations, and financial stewardship, strengthening IBS’s interdisciplinary research and partnerships.

This tenured or tenure‑track position requires a distinguished scholarly record in social or behavioral sciences, plus demonstrated administrative leadership, teaching, research,

Qualifications

• Record of outstanding scholarly achievement in social and/or behavioral sciences.
• Experience in teaching, research, and service that meets tenure qualifications.
• Experience in research and administrative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for IBS by articulating a forward-looking vision, identifying emerging opportunities, aligning institute priorities with campus and RIO goals, and fostering innovative, high-impact interdisciplinary research.
• Lead the recruitment, appointment, mentorship, development, and retention of faculty, staff, researchers, and students in ways that strengthen IBS's research capacity, community, and long-term success.
• Promote and uphold strong research excellence, scholarly impact, and service across the institute. Work with faculty and administrative staff to support effective operations and timely, well-informed decisions.
• Be responsible for the institute's budget, personnel actions, and resource allocation in alignment with university policies and priorities.
• Convene and lead meetings of the IBS Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
• Serve as IBS's primary representative and advocate within CU Boulder and externally, guiding communications and relationships with RIO, campus partners, funders, and broader communities.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with federal agencies, foundations, industry, national laboratories, policymakers, and other partners to enhance IBS's visibility, reputation, and ability to attract resources and opportunities.
• Advance IBS's long-term impact through research dissemination, translation, and engagement, positioning the institute as a national leader in interdisciplinary research.
• Contribute to broader university leadership by collaborating with other institute directors, engaging in campus initiatives, and advancing research and scholarship across CU Boulder.
• Foster a positive, collaborative institute culture built on transparency, accountability, accessibility, employee engagement, clear communication, constructive conflict resolution, and respectful engagement across the community.
• Hold a tenured or tenure-track appointment in an academic department aligned with IBS' mission and contribute to departmental teaching, research, and service expectations, as appropriate and consistent with the responsibilities of the IBS Director.

Skills

Leadership

Administrative leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in social/behavioral sciences

Job description

The University of Colorado Boulder seeks applications for the Director of the Institute of Behavioral Science (IBS). The Director provides strategic leadership, sets a clear vision, and ensures effective management, operations, and financial stewardship, strengthening IBS’s interdisciplinary research and partnerships.

This tenured or tenure‑track position requires a distinguished scholarly record in social or behavioral sciences, plus demonstrated administrative leadership, teaching, research,