Open Rank Cluster Hire in Depression Research

The University of California Irvine announces an interdisciplinary cluster hire of up to three faculty members in conjunction with the launch of the Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries. The vision for the Depression Institute is to transform our understanding of depression's origins, treatment, and prevention, while enhancing societal-well being. Its mission will be to create a vibrant, inclusive, and interdisciplinary community of scientists and clinicians devoted to (1) fundamentally improving our understanding, treatment and prevention of depression, (2) training the next generation of depression scientists and clinicians, and (3) improving the life of individuals with lived experiences.

The UCI Depression Institute will initially span three schools - the School of Medicine, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, and the Samueli School of Engineering. It is envisioned that such confluence of expertise and methodological approaches will foster a bench-to-bedside integration that will be essential for achieving much-needed breakthroughs in understanding, treating. and preventing depression. Through its structure and mission, multidisciplinary, collaborative research will be prioritized that will integrate multiple units of analysis - genes, molecules, cells, systems/circuits, physiology, behaviors and self-reports - to fundamentally advance our understanding of depression risk factors and identify novel treatment/prevention targets.

Tenure-track and tenured faculty are expected to mount a productive and innovative research program, obtain extramural funding, and actively participate in mentoring (depending on home department, mentoring of undergraduate or graduate students, medical student or resident, and/or postdoctoral trainees). The successful candidates will be able to leverage existing resources and strengths of UCI Health and its campus partners, including the newly established Behavioral Testing Core (a new core facility for behavioral testing in rodents), the Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences, the Institute for Precision Health, the Center for Neurotherapeutics, the Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, the Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, and the Beall Applied Innovation, among others. Candidates will benefit from outstanding resources and collaborators within departments across schools (e.g., Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Biomedical Engineering).

The cluster hire will build on UC Irvine's existing strengths in preclinical, translational and clinical depression research. We are seeking candidates whose research will complement existing strengths and research foci. Examples, which are not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive, include the following strategic areas:

Preclinical Models Relevant to Depression:Assistant or Tenured Associate Professor in theDepartment of Neurobiology and BehaviororDepartment of Psychiatry and Human Behaviorwith a particular focus on systems-level mechanisms associated with vulnerability to and resilience against depressive phenotypes.

Childhood, Adolescent or Adult Depression:Assistant, Tenured Associate or Full Professor in theDepartment of Psychiatry and Human Behaviorwith a particular focus on any approaches to childhood and adolescent depression (including prospective studies in at-risk youth).

Biomedical Engineering Solutions to Deep Phenotyping of and Novel Interventions for Depression:Assistant or Tenured Associate Professor in theDepartment of Biomedical Engineeringwith a particular focus on developing novel approaches to deeply phenotype depression (e.g., through novel biosensing devices) and treat depression (e.g., through novel neurostimulation techniques, closed-loop solutions).

Candidates with exceptional records inother areas of depression researchwill also be considered. We envision faculty hires across additional UCI Schools in the near future.

Bringing faculty and students together around the theme of depression offers a unique opportunity to create exceptional research capacity at UCI for addressing challenges associated with this prevalent disorder. Applicants are encouraged to visit Departmental websites (see above) to learn more about research strengths and programs. With this cluster hiring initiative, UCI aspires to identify exceptionally talented candidates who share our vision and will increase our capacity to achieve breakthroughs in understanding, preventing and treating depression.

Applicants are expected to have advanced degrees and publication records commensurate with appointment levels in the department of interest. Successful candidates will be expected to develop externally funded research programs, engage in both undergraduate and graduate education, and contribute their leadership and innovative thinking towards global prominence in depression research. Teaching opportunities will vary by Department and teaching qualifications will be a consideration for fit with the respective unit.

Applications should include:

1. Cover Letter
2. A description of research interests illuminating potential to support the goals of the cluster hire.
3. A description of teaching interests including ability to contribute to Departmental and interdisciplinary programs.
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Inclusive Excellence Activities Statement
6. Names of three references (References will not be contacted until the later stages of consideration, after consultation.)

Applications completed by April 9th, 2025 will receive fullest consideration, but each department will continue reviewing applicant files until that position is filled.