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University of Kentucky

Chair, Department of Behavioral Science

🇺🇸 Lexington, KY

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Other

🗓️ December 29th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

The University of Kentucky is hiring a Chair for its Department of Behavioral Science. This role involves leading and growing the department's research faculty and portfolio, facilitating collaboration and mentoring among faculty, overseeing educational programs, and continuing independent research aligned with departmental goals.

Highlights
  • Lead growth and oversight of research faculty and portfolio.
  • Mentor faculty in research and academic development.
  • Promote collaborative research and facilitate external funding acquisition.
  • Publish peer-reviewed scholarly work.
  • Manage educational portfolio including faculty teaching assignments.
  • Required qualifications include MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent with a terminal degree in behavioral sciences and current research funding.
  • Experience with NIH funding, academic leadership, and talent recruitment and retention is necessary.
  • Current or eligible medical licensure in Kentucky is required.
  • Must demonstrate national recognition via involvement in professional societies.
  • The position carries supervisory responsibilities and is tenure track, full-time faculty.

Chair, Department of Behavioral Science Full Description

Chair, Department of Behavioral Science
 Posting Details 
Job Title  | Chair, Department of Behavioral Science
Requisition Number  | FE04769
Working Title  |
Department Name  | 7H150:BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Work Location  | Lexington, KY
Type of Position  | Faculty
Position Time Status  | Full-Time
Tenure Track Status  | Tenure Track
Required Education  | MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent

Required Related Experience  | Terminal degree in a behavioral science field (e.g., psychology, behavioral science, social science, health behavior, sociology, etc.) with a sustained record of scholarly activity and current research funding. National recognition as demonstrated through involvement in academic/professional societies at a national level. Demonstrated leadership experience, with preference for previous experience in administrative positions in an academic medical center setting. Proven record of recruitment, mentorship, and retention of talent. Demonstrated track record of teaching undergraduate and medical students, as well as research training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Required License/Registration/Certification  | Current licensure, or eligibility to obtain licensure to practice medicine in the state of Kentucky.

Job Summary  | THE OPPORTUNITY
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Behavioral Science seeks a visionary chair with demonstrated leadership abilities, a strong record in academic behavioral medicine, and a currently funded research program, ideally with a strong history of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funding. The ideal candidate has administrative experience, and can provide strong leadership skills as a listener, decision-maker, humanist, and effective advocate for the discipline, and its faculty and staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE
As an oversight position, the chair of science will ensure that department faculty work in conjunction with one another and with other groups across the college and campus, sharing research resources whenever possible. This will also include administrative, teaching, laboratory, and mentoring support. The chair will work closely to maximize the net yield of each project and avoid separation or duplication of work in multiple isolated units.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Grow the department’s research faculty and research portfolio, and provide oversight. Facilitate faculty mentoring in research. Facilitate an environment of collaborative research and conduct, including maintaining records of accomplishments and facilitating the acquisition of external funding. Continue their independent research in alignment with the department’s goals. Publish in peer-reviewed literature as an author and co-author. Provide oversight for the department’s educational portfolio. Participate in and advocate for quality teaching programs for all learners within the department. Assign faculty to teaching roles and manage the distribution of educational assignments among faculty. Mentor faculty in various professorial series and oversee the academic development and productivity of the department. 
For full details and consideration for this position, click here: Behavioral Science Chair Prospectus for the full job prospectus.

The College of Medicine seeks qualified applicants who value its missions and share its commitment to building a strong community.

Interested applicants should apply through the job posting: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/611204. Please include curriculum vita and cover letter when prompted in the application process.

Questions and inquiries can be directed to Rebecca Dutch, PhD, vice chair for research, co-chair of the search committee at Rebecca.Dutch@uky.eduMatthew Bush, MD, chair of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, co-chair of the search committee at Matthew.Bush@uky.edu
This posting will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received.

All applications will be handled in a secure, sensitive, and confidential manner.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities  | Ideal Candidate Experience and Attributes

A strong visionary and inspirational leader who can artfully convey a long-term vision for the department yet is equally skilled at implementing a detailed plan to achieve that vision. Highly approachable and compassionate; a record of promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, teamwork, respect, and honesty; a professional and personal demeanor characterized by integrity, graciousness, humility, genuineness, empathy, and sincerity; and a passion for the organization’s mission and objectives. Exceptionally team-oriented; skilled at working well and partnering with scientists across the college and University to identify, build, and negotiate “win-win” relationships and collaborations; able to break down silos and ensure a collegial and productive work environment. Highly adept and at ease managing the day-to-day operational details with the ability to make strong and decisive decisions when needed, while simultaneously creating unity within the department. Able to conceptualize and analyze complex business opportunities, understand an academic department’s finances, and apply that knowledge to manage all department aspects appropriately. Able to lead progress in the department’s mission, strategies, and practices to build a more supportive workplace.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?  | Yes
Preferred Education/Experience  |
Deadline to Apply  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes
Our University Community  | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Where did you first see this position advertised? 
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • AAMC.org
    • Indeed.com
    • LinkedIn.com
    • UK Physician Recruiter
    • Current Resident or Fellow
    • A Colleague, Friend and/or Family Member (Please specify below.)
    • Recruiter or Search Firm (Please specify below.)
    • Other (Please specify below.)
  2. * Please provide additional details about how you first heard about this position. 
    (Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Curriculum Vita
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

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