DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION STUDIES (ITS) - Internal to UC Davis
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: February 26, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Mar 28, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 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 Office of Research is conducting a search for the Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS). This position is open to tenured members of the UC Davis Academic Senate with appointment at the advanced associate or full Professor level and will be for 5 years at 75% time with the possibility of reappointment after a 5-year review of the unit and director. Apply through the UC Davis RECRUIT online system by 3/28/2025.
Full Scope of Work Link: https://ucdavis.box.com/s/061k85rljy8ksyq29g13qd4q93ovdk9j.
For informal discussions on any aspect of the position or your potential application, please contact Office of Research; HR Analyst Satti Kaur at satkaur@ucdavis.edu
General Description:
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research and/or designate, the Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) will provide leadership, vision, and advocacy for sustainable transportation. ITS is the leading university center in the world on sustainable transportation and manages large research initiatives on energy, environmental, and social issues. It is home to more than 60 affiliated faculty and researchers, 120+ graduate students, and has a budget of $20 million with all of its affiliated centers. ITS has a strong commitment not just to research but to interdisciplinary education and engagement with government, industry, and non-governmental organizations.
Summary Qualifications and Experience:
• Tenured Academic Senate appointment at the advanced associate or full Professor level at UC Davis.
• PhD, or equivalent degree, in civil and environmental engineering, urban planning, or a closely related discipline
• Distinguished track record of scholarly publication and teaching
• Demonstrated leadership, management or administrative ability, ideally with prior experience in overseeing multi-faceted, interdisciplinary research enterprises within a university environment
• Experience with building synergistic relationships with state, and federal agencies, private foundations, and industry-based research funding organizations
•Understanding of transportation-related political, policy, and protocol issues and familiarity with decision makers in relevant federal, state, corporate and non-profit organizations
Application Procedure and Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, for full consideration, please submit your letter of application by 3/28/2025. Please submit the following electronically at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07018 :
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (about 2 pages)
• Vision for ITS and relevant past administrative experience (about 2 pages)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity (1-2 pages)
• Authorization to Release Information
Qualifications
• Tenured Academic Senate appointment at the advanced associate or full Professor level at UC Davis.
• PhD, or equivalent degree, in civil and environmental engineering, urban planning, or a closely related discipline
• Distinguished track record of scholarly publication and teaching
• Demonstrated leadership, management or administrative ability, ideally with prior experience in overseeing multi-faceted, interdisciplinary research enterprises within a university environment
• Experience with building synergistic relationships with state, and federal agencies, private foundations, and industry-based research funding organizations
•Understanding of transportation-related political, policy, and protocol issues and familiarity with decision makers in relevant federal, state, corporate and non-profit organizations
Experience developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships among stakeholders and partners in university, industry, government, public and non-profit settings
Oral and written communication, presentation, and public speaking skills to represent UC Davis in public forums as demonstrated by a clear and confident communication style
Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally as demanded by business needs
Demonstrated ability to successfully engage in philanthropic fundraising activities needed to support the mission of ITS
Experience developing appropriate, sustainable business models that optimizes resource allocations, meets short-and long-term goals within budget, and maintains financial stability.
Experience providing oversight and managing staff, ensuring effective recruitment, development, and retention strategies. Perform evaluations and foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that aligns with the Principles of Community. Ensure that HR practices comply with university policies and support the Center’s goals.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research - • Statement of Research (about 2 pages)
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
Vision for ITS and relevant past administrative experience (about 2 pages) - • Vision for ITS and relevant past administrative experience (about 2 pages)
Help contact: satkaur@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.
The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.
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.
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