Director of Basic Science Research

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The UCSF Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery invites applications for a visionary leader to serve as Director of Basic Science Research for the BEHI. This role shapes a high‑impact, discovery‑driven research enterprise focused on hearing and deafness.

The Director will build a funded program, recruit and mentor faculty, drive translational collaboration with clinicians, and set a long‑term scientific vision to advance hearing restoration at UCSF in San Francisco, California.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or related discipline by hire.
• National or international recognition for impactful research and scientific leadership.
• Proven success in securing sustained extramural funding (NIH etc.).
• Ability to build and lead multidisciplinary research programs.
• Strong commitment to mentorship, training, and diversity in science.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-impact portfolio focused on auditory biology and therapies.
• Direct a multidisciplinary research enterprise integrating biology, regenerative medicine, neuroengineering, and computational biology.
• Establish flagship programs in hair cell regeneration, cochlear synaptopathy, central auditory processing, and brain–machine interfaces.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor faculty, postdocs, and staff.
• Drive extramural funding and programmatic grants; foster translation with clinicians.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Mentoring

Fundraising

Collaborative

Education

Ph.D./M.D./M.D.-Ph.D.

Job description

Position Description

The UCSF Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery invites applications for a visionary and accomplished scientific leader to serve as the Director of Basic Science Research for the Bakar Ear & Hearing Institute (BEHI). This role represents a unique opportunity to shape and lead a high-impact, discovery-driven research enterprise focused on the fundamental mechanisms of hearing and deafness, with the ultimate goal of enabling transformative, first‑in‑human therapies.

BEHI is being developed as a premier center for auditory science, integrating basic discovery, translational research, and clinical innovation. The Director of Basic Science Research will serve as the intellectual and strategic anchor of this effort—building a rigorous, externally funded research program while defining a long‑term scientific vision that positions BEHI at the forefront of hearing restoration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a high‑impact research portfolio focused on the biological, genetic, and neural mechanisms underlying auditory function and dysfunction, with clear trajectories toward therapeutic innovation


• Build and direct a multidisciplinary research enterprise integrating molecular biology, regenerative medicine, neuroengineering, computational biology, and systems neuroscience


• Establish flagship research programs in areas such as hair cell regeneration, cochlear synaptopathy, central auditory processing, and auditory brain–machine interfaces


• Recruit, develop, and mentor a cohort of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to create a critical mass of scientific excellence and sustained innovation


• Drive extramural funding success, including NIH (R01, P01, U-series), foundation, and industry‑supported programs, and develop large‑scale, programmatic grants


• Foster bidirectional translation through deep collaboration with clinician‑scientists, ensuring that basic discoveries inform clinical strategy and that clinical insights shape research priorities

Scientific Environment

The Director will build upon and expand UCSF’s longstanding strengths in auditory science, including the Saul and Ida Epstein Laboratory for Auditory Physiology and Genetics and the John C. and Edward Coleman Memorial Laboratories—endowed programs with deep expertise in cochlear biology, genetics, neural plasticity, and auditory systems research.

UCSF provides an exceptional ecosystem for interdisciplinary science, offering close connections to leading programs in neuroscience, bioengineering, stem cell biology, and computational biology. BEHI is uniquely positioned to leverage this environment to create convergent, team‑based science that bridges discovery and clinical application.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or an equivalent degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline by the time of hire.


• National or international recognition for impactful research and scientific leadership.


• Demonstrated success in securing sustained extramural funding, including NIH support.


• Proven ability to build and lead collaborative, multidisciplinary research programs.


• Strong commitment to mentorship, training, and advancing diversity in the scientific workforce.


• Applicant’s materials must list (pending) qualifications upon submission.

Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to define the scientific direction of a rapidly growing institute with the ambition to fundamentally change the treatment landscape for hearing loss. The Director will be supported by substantial institutional investment, including research infrastructure, recruitment resources, and access to world‑class clinical and scientific collaborators.

An appointment will be made at an associate or full professor rank commensurate with current academic standing. UCSF offers competitive salaries, research start‑up funds, and recruitment allowances, and has numerous opportunities for faculty development and mentorship.

For positions that are 51% effort or more:

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 5 . The minimum base salary range for this position is $150,200 - $319,800. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.

For positions that are 50% effort or less:

See Table 2 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $115,500 - $246,000.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).


• Cover Letter - Cover Letter indicating the position you are applying for.


• Statement of Research - 1 page summary of prior work; 2 page summary of future plans


• Statement of Teaching (Optional)


• Mentoring Statement - 1 page, with emphasis on specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in your research group.


• Copies of 3 Major Publications - Provide copies of 3 major publications.

Reference Requirements

• 3 letters of reference required

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.


• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy


• APM - 035: Affr 035: ...

San Francisco, CA