H Net
University of California - Merced - Dean, School of Natural Sciences
H Net, Merced, California, United States, 95343
Overview
Dean, School of Natural Sciences – University of California, Merced Position title: Dean, School of Natural Sciences • Salary range: $340,000-370,000 • Percent time: 100% • Anticipated start: July 1, 2026, or sooner if available • Review timeline: First review of applicants begins September 8, 2025. Open until filled. • Position duration: Permanent Open date: July 23, 2025 • Next review date: Monday, Sep 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Sunday, Dec 28, 2025 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 University of California (UC), Merced invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Natural Sciences (SNS). A campus with high ambitions and increasing impact, UC Merced has earned R1, Student Access and Opportunity, and Community Engagement designations by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions. It is the only public, land-grant institution currently holding all three designations. The university was recently ranked 26th nationally among public universities by US News & World Report, 1st in the nation for social mobility and 18th overall by the Wall Street Journal, and 1st in the nation among young universities by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The next SNS Dean will lead this unique school into an exciting new era as it continues to grow, champion inclusive excellence, and distinguish itself within the UC system and among research universities globally. The new SNS Dean will join a thriving learning and scholarly community at a pivotal time, with the opportunity to facilitate its ongoing development and ensure its continued rise. The SNS Dean will need to be a gifted academic leader who will work closely with SNS faculty and staff and the broader campus community to continue developing the school as a magnet for high-caliber students from diverse backgrounds, talented faculty and staff, and a respected center for research addressing major global challenges as well as pressing regional needs. UC Merced and the School of Natural Sciences Opened to undergraduates in 2005, UC Merced was the first new University of California campus in 40 years, and the first American research university of the twenty-first century. UC Merced now ranks #26 among public universities (#58 overall among national universities) in the top 100 U.S. News & World Report rankings and #5 among public universities (#18 overall among national universities) in the Wall Street Journal America's Best Colleges rankings. We are proud that our campus is recognized as #1 in the nation for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal. In 2025, UC Merced achieved R1 classification by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Since welcoming our inaugural first-year class, UC Merced has grown in enrollment to 9,110 students as of fall 2024. Declared undergraduate enrollment is divided among SNS (24%), the School of Engineering (SoE) (36%), and the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) (40%). Sixty-two (62) percent of undergraduates are first-generation college students and 61% are Pell Grant eligible. Geographically, 99% of UC Merced undergraduates are from California and approximately 30% are from the San Joaquin Valley. An additional 31% of students come from Southern California (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and 34% from the San Francisco Bay Area. UC Merced is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), with 53% of its undergraduates identifying as Hispanic. UC Merced is also proud of its eligibility status as an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander serving institution and a Minority Serving institution. In 2021, UC Merced was awarded the Seal of Excelencia in recognition of its commitment to the success of Latino students and the HEED Award for Excellence in Diversity in both 2021 and 2023. With its completion in fall 2020, the 2020 Project campus expansion nearly doubled the campus's physical capacity to support enrollment growth to 10,000 students. The impact of UC Merced's rapid ascent reaches beyond the campus and continues to transform the region economically, academically, and environmentally as we maintain a focus on sustainability, research, inclusive excellence, and community. We lead the UC system in the percentage of students from underrepresented ethnic groups, low-income families, and families whose parents did not attend college. Our graduation rates exceed national expectations. Our undergraduate research participation rate is the highest in the UC system and we are delivering on the promise of expanding access to a UC education with UC Merced accounting for 53% of the Central Valley's growth in UC attendance since 2005. SNS has recruited outstanding, award-winning faculty with vibrant and highly productive research programs and many take highly interdisciplinary approaches to both research and teaching. This talent has attracted substantial funding, including many early career awards from leading research agencies, such as NSF, NIH, the Department of Energy, NASA, and the USDA. Strategic context and role
Campus Strategic Plan & Goals. UC Merced is uniquely poised to impact a rapidly changing world. The strategic plan outlines three mission-driven priorities: discovery and the advancement of knowledge, developing future scholars and leaders, and cultivating a culture of dignity and respect for all. The plan emphasizes inclusive excellence and sustainability, and calls for growth in the campus's research profile and diversification of leadership across fields. The full university strategic plan can be found here: https://strategicplan.ucmerced.edu Role of the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences. The Dean is the chief officer of the School with overall administrative responsibility for five departments, eight undergraduate majors, four graduate programs, and the INSITE center. The Dean supervises faculty and staff, guides curriculum development, oversees operations, manages resources, and partners with campus leadership on policy. The Dean participates in planning as part of the Provost's leadership team. Successful candidates will demonstrate leadership across the academic and research mission, including inclusive excellence. Key opportunities and challenges
The Dean will lead SNS through growth in research, teaching, and impact. Responsibilities include: Lead the vision and strategy for the School, aligning with UC Merced’s Strategic Plan and developing sustainable administrative infrastructure. Recruit, retain, and support talented faculty; promote inclusive excellence and interdisciplinary research and education. Enhance the academic profile and scholarly impact; elevate visibility of SNS and its members. Strengthen enrollment and educational impact; support undergraduate and graduate education and data-informed program development. Manage the academic enterprise with financial acumen; collaborate on fiscally aligned planning and accountability; foster a positive, inclusive culture. Advocate for SNS internally and externally; build relationships across campus and with external partners; engage in fundraising efforts. Qualifications Basic qualifications Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Competencies A doctorate and a research program in a field compatible with SNS programs. A distinguished record in teaching, scholarship, and service, tenure, and full professor status. Significant years of increasing responsibility for leading and managing academic units with visionary leadership and administrative skills. Demonstrated leadership in academic, research, and scholarly activities; experience fostering inclusive environments; interdisciplinary research experience. Proven leadership in creating and evaluating new programs and structures; strong consensus-building and relationship-building abilities. Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial acumen; ability to manage budgets and resources. Experience reviewing faculty appointments, tenure, and promotion; fundraising experience with external partners. Ability to engage with regional and global needs and to work with diverse stakeholders; effective communication and collaboration with administrators, faculty, students, and staff. Understanding of shared governance and collaborative decision-making; diplomatic skills and high emotional intelligence; commitment to inclusive excellence. Preferred qualifications Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Competencies Knowledge of general university administration and shared governance; experience with program review and continuous improvement. Familiarity with accreditation procedures (e.g., WSCUC). Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae (latest) Cover Letter Authorization to Release Information Form: finalists must disclose any final administrative or judicial misconduct decisions within the last seven years. Misconduct means violations of policies or laws governing conduct at prior employment, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application. Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) Apply link : https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02013 Help contact : ExecutiveSearch@berkeley.edu EEO and policies The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements. This includes compliance with vaccination programs and related directives. Job location : UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED 5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343 To apply
https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02013
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Dean, School of Natural Sciences – University of California, Merced Position title: Dean, School of Natural Sciences • Salary range: $340,000-370,000 • Percent time: 100% • Anticipated start: July 1, 2026, or sooner if available • Review timeline: First review of applicants begins September 8, 2025. Open until filled. • Position duration: Permanent Open date: July 23, 2025 • Next review date: Monday, Sep 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Sunday, Dec 28, 2025 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 University of California (UC), Merced invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Natural Sciences (SNS). A campus with high ambitions and increasing impact, UC Merced has earned R1, Student Access and Opportunity, and Community Engagement designations by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions. It is the only public, land-grant institution currently holding all three designations. The university was recently ranked 26th nationally among public universities by US News & World Report, 1st in the nation for social mobility and 18th overall by the Wall Street Journal, and 1st in the nation among young universities by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The next SNS Dean will lead this unique school into an exciting new era as it continues to grow, champion inclusive excellence, and distinguish itself within the UC system and among research universities globally. The new SNS Dean will join a thriving learning and scholarly community at a pivotal time, with the opportunity to facilitate its ongoing development and ensure its continued rise. The SNS Dean will need to be a gifted academic leader who will work closely with SNS faculty and staff and the broader campus community to continue developing the school as a magnet for high-caliber students from diverse backgrounds, talented faculty and staff, and a respected center for research addressing major global challenges as well as pressing regional needs. UC Merced and the School of Natural Sciences Opened to undergraduates in 2005, UC Merced was the first new University of California campus in 40 years, and the first American research university of the twenty-first century. UC Merced now ranks #26 among public universities (#58 overall among national universities) in the top 100 U.S. News & World Report rankings and #5 among public universities (#18 overall among national universities) in the Wall Street Journal America's Best Colleges rankings. We are proud that our campus is recognized as #1 in the nation for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal. In 2025, UC Merced achieved R1 classification by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Since welcoming our inaugural first-year class, UC Merced has grown in enrollment to 9,110 students as of fall 2024. Declared undergraduate enrollment is divided among SNS (24%), the School of Engineering (SoE) (36%), and the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) (40%). Sixty-two (62) percent of undergraduates are first-generation college students and 61% are Pell Grant eligible. Geographically, 99% of UC Merced undergraduates are from California and approximately 30% are from the San Joaquin Valley. An additional 31% of students come from Southern California (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and 34% from the San Francisco Bay Area. UC Merced is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), with 53% of its undergraduates identifying as Hispanic. UC Merced is also proud of its eligibility status as an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander serving institution and a Minority Serving institution. In 2021, UC Merced was awarded the Seal of Excelencia in recognition of its commitment to the success of Latino students and the HEED Award for Excellence in Diversity in both 2021 and 2023. With its completion in fall 2020, the 2020 Project campus expansion nearly doubled the campus's physical capacity to support enrollment growth to 10,000 students. The impact of UC Merced's rapid ascent reaches beyond the campus and continues to transform the region economically, academically, and environmentally as we maintain a focus on sustainability, research, inclusive excellence, and community. We lead the UC system in the percentage of students from underrepresented ethnic groups, low-income families, and families whose parents did not attend college. Our graduation rates exceed national expectations. Our undergraduate research participation rate is the highest in the UC system and we are delivering on the promise of expanding access to a UC education with UC Merced accounting for 53% of the Central Valley's growth in UC attendance since 2005. SNS has recruited outstanding, award-winning faculty with vibrant and highly productive research programs and many take highly interdisciplinary approaches to both research and teaching. This talent has attracted substantial funding, including many early career awards from leading research agencies, such as NSF, NIH, the Department of Energy, NASA, and the USDA. Strategic context and role
Campus Strategic Plan & Goals. UC Merced is uniquely poised to impact a rapidly changing world. The strategic plan outlines three mission-driven priorities: discovery and the advancement of knowledge, developing future scholars and leaders, and cultivating a culture of dignity and respect for all. The plan emphasizes inclusive excellence and sustainability, and calls for growth in the campus's research profile and diversification of leadership across fields. The full university strategic plan can be found here: https://strategicplan.ucmerced.edu Role of the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences. The Dean is the chief officer of the School with overall administrative responsibility for five departments, eight undergraduate majors, four graduate programs, and the INSITE center. The Dean supervises faculty and staff, guides curriculum development, oversees operations, manages resources, and partners with campus leadership on policy. The Dean participates in planning as part of the Provost's leadership team. Successful candidates will demonstrate leadership across the academic and research mission, including inclusive excellence. Key opportunities and challenges
The Dean will lead SNS through growth in research, teaching, and impact. Responsibilities include: Lead the vision and strategy for the School, aligning with UC Merced’s Strategic Plan and developing sustainable administrative infrastructure. Recruit, retain, and support talented faculty; promote inclusive excellence and interdisciplinary research and education. Enhance the academic profile and scholarly impact; elevate visibility of SNS and its members. Strengthen enrollment and educational impact; support undergraduate and graduate education and data-informed program development. Manage the academic enterprise with financial acumen; collaborate on fiscally aligned planning and accountability; foster a positive, inclusive culture. Advocate for SNS internally and externally; build relationships across campus and with external partners; engage in fundraising efforts. Qualifications Basic qualifications Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Competencies A doctorate and a research program in a field compatible with SNS programs. A distinguished record in teaching, scholarship, and service, tenure, and full professor status. Significant years of increasing responsibility for leading and managing academic units with visionary leadership and administrative skills. Demonstrated leadership in academic, research, and scholarly activities; experience fostering inclusive environments; interdisciplinary research experience. Proven leadership in creating and evaluating new programs and structures; strong consensus-building and relationship-building abilities. Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial acumen; ability to manage budgets and resources. Experience reviewing faculty appointments, tenure, and promotion; fundraising experience with external partners. Ability to engage with regional and global needs and to work with diverse stakeholders; effective communication and collaboration with administrators, faculty, students, and staff. Understanding of shared governance and collaborative decision-making; diplomatic skills and high emotional intelligence; commitment to inclusive excellence. Preferred qualifications Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Competencies Knowledge of general university administration and shared governance; experience with program review and continuous improvement. Familiarity with accreditation procedures (e.g., WSCUC). Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae (latest) Cover Letter Authorization to Release Information Form: finalists must disclose any final administrative or judicial misconduct decisions within the last seven years. Misconduct means violations of policies or laws governing conduct at prior employment, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application. Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) Apply link : https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02013 Help contact : ExecutiveSearch@berkeley.edu EEO and policies The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements. This includes compliance with vaccination programs and related directives. Job location : UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED 5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343 To apply
https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02013
#J-18808-Ljbffr