Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences (2026)

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Dean Searches - Frequently Asked Questions

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), the nation's leading public research university, seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and inclusive leader as its next Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences.

UC Berkeley is internationally renowned for excellence across disciplines, for the opportunities it affords students of all backgrounds, and for scientific discovery, innovation, and cultural creativity. Ranked nationally as the No. 1 public university by U.S. News & World Report Rankings 2025–2026, the Berkeley campus is home to over 33,000 undergraduate students and more than 12,800 graduate students, as well as approximately 1,600 tenured/tenure-track faculty across 16 schools and colleges. Berkeley’s professors are highly distinguished researchers, scholars, and experts in their field, as attested by their many Nobel Prizes, other distinguished awards, and memberships in the most prestigious learned societies.

UC Berkeley’s Division of Biological Sciences, a unit of the College of Letters & Science, generates profound shifts in our understanding of the function and behavior of living organisms. CRISPR genome engineering, immuno-oncology, telomeres and telomerase, the proto-human “Ardi,” and the molecular behavior of insulin are examples of world-altering achievements associated with Berkeley. With over 150 active faculty and affiliates in three departments and one program, and a range of centers, institutes, and museums, the Division’s undergraduates and graduate students learn from and work with some of the world’s leading scientists, deciphering the interplay of living systems from the intracellular to the ecosystemic to the planetary. The Division’s alumni are among the most influential leaders in academia, the life sciences industry, and other fields.

Within the University of California’s shared governance structure, the Dean serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Executive of the Division, reporting directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. The Dean also works in close collaboration with the deans of the other divisions that constitute the UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science in support of the College’s research and teaching missions, and partners with deans across campus to advance institution-wide priorities and initiatives. The Dean provides leadership and is responsible for all matters relating to the administration of the Division, including academic programs, personnel, budgets, alumni engagement, fundraising, and government and industry relations.

The new Dean will lead a world-class enterprise at an important moment of transition, using this moment to reflect on strengths, set a clear strategic direction, strengthen financial sustainability, and amplify impact. The Dean will be charged with articulating and implementing a forward-looking vision, working in close collaboration with faculty to shape and advance shared “big ideas” that align the community, fostering greater cohesion across departments and units, positioning the Division for emerging opportunities in areas such as AI and interdisciplinary science, and positioning it for shifts already occurring in research funding and graduate education. Central to this role is diversifying revenue streams beyond federal funding through philanthropy, partnerships, and innovative academic programs, while fostering cross-campus collaboration to elevate Berkeley’s leadership at the intersections of biology, technology, and global challenges. The Dean will also play a critical role in reimagining higher education in the biological sciences to better serve an evolving student population, enhancing coherence, access, and sustainability. As an advocate and ambassador, the Dean will represent the Division’s priorities within the University and nationally, securing resources, strengthening infrastructure, and shaping broader conversations about the future of science and higher education. Finally, by more fully integrating Berkeley’s distinctive assets and telling a cohesive story of its contributions, from fundamental discovery to societal impact, the Dean will unlock new opportunities for growth, visibility, and influence.

The ideal candidate will be a decisive leader who can advocate for the Division's needs and earn the trust and confidence of the faculty through scientific stature, transparency, and responsiveness. They will demonstrate a deep commitment to shared governance, with the ability to partner effectively with faculty and the Academic Senate through transparent decision-making, inclusive consultation, and mutual respect. A doctoral degree, either a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent international degree, and a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, and significant professional activity appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at the level of full professor at UC Berkeley are required.

For the full position profile, please visit: https://wittkieffer.com/positions/a1wut000006cnhdmak

Applicants must have a terminal degree at the time of application and submit a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. This position is open until filled; however, for best consideration, please submit materials by August 10, 2026.

Applicants must apply directly to UC Berkeley at: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05395. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to the WittKieffer consultants assisting UC Berkeley with this recruitment:

Suzanne Teer, Lauren Bruce-Stets, and Randi Miller

suzanne.teer@wittkieffer.com | lstets@wittkieffer.com | rlmiller@wittkieffer.com

This position is a sensitive position and is subject to a criminal background check. Questions may be referred to Sumali Tuchrello at sumali@berkeley.edu.

The posted University of California Deans’ Salary Bands set the pay ranges for deans. The Division of Biological Sciences dean position is included in Band 2: $239,600-$611,100. The minimum salary that UC Berkeley expects to pay for this position is $450,000.

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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 committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, or discrimination. Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to institutional reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. More information is available on this website

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.

Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences Search Committee Roster 2026

  • Fiona Doyle, Chair, Materials Science & Engineering
  • George Bentley, Professor, Integrative Biology
  • Cordell Clark, PhD Student, Molecular & Cell Biology
  • Janet Dorling, Alumna, Molecular & Cell Biology + Senior Vice President, Gilead Sciences Inc
  • Marla Feller, Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology + Neuroscience
  • Brad Ringeisen, Executive Director, Innovative Genomics Institute
  • Sarah Stanley, Associate Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology
  • Kirsten Swan, Sr. Assistant Dean of Development, Division of Biological Sciences
  • Neil Tsutsui, Professor, Environmental Science, Policy & Management
  • Lauren Bruce-Stets, Consultant, WittKieffer
  • Randi Miller, Associate, WittKieffer
  • Suzanne Teer, Senior Partner, WittKieffer
  • Sumali Tuchrello, Search Committee Staff, Office of the EVCP
News type
  • Open Executive Searches