Search for the Dean, School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences
University of California San Diego
La Jolla, California
The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) seeks an internationally recognized leader in data sciences and computing with the intellectual leadership, vision, academic entrepreneurship experience, and dedication to serve as the inaugural Dean of a new School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences. This new school (known as SCIDS) exemplifies UC San Diego’s commitment transforming data into actionable knowledge. As the campus refreshes its strategic plan for the next decade, UC San Diego and SCIDS are poised to advance critical research areas, improve computing and data literacy, and bolster the university’s mission of public service. The inaugural Dean will be afforded the unprecedented opportunity to lead a newly launched School that encompasses modern computing, data science and artificial intelligence during a transformative period of growth and innovation across the university and around the globe.
Since its founding in 1960, UC San Diego has become one of the top 20 research universities in the world – a rapid ascent that is a testament to the excellence and entrepreneurial nature of UC San Diego’s faculty, staff, and students. Under the leadership of Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, UC San Diego recently completed an ambitious 10-year campaign through which more than $3 billion was raised, making UC San Diego the youngest university in the nation to reach a multi-billion-dollar milestone in a single campaign. Leveraging this fundraising effort and guided by UC San Diego’s strategic plan, the campus is transforming itself culturally, physically, and intellectually through a sustained focus on five priority areas that include student experience and success, diversity and access, interdisciplinary research, community enrichment, and the development of a supportive infrastructure. UC San Diego is an academic and research powerhouse, generating $1.73 billion in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2024. In addition, the La Jolla Mesa is home to a wide range of prominent communication computing, AI, pharmaceutical and biotech companies providing abundant opportunity for industry collaboration in research and experiential learning.
The newly formed school unites two significant campus assets: the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) and the Halicioğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI). The school will also be leveraging top-ranked programs, most notably the departments of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Cognitive Science, and Mathematics. Together, they form the foundational pillars and affirm UC San Diego’s commitment to leadership in building a dedicated School that advances cutting-edge data science, AI innovations, and top-tier education for the workforce of the future. As one of five national Supercomputer Centers established by the National Science Foundation nearly four decades ago, SDSC is a leader in the development of high-performing computing, big data, and cloud computing. SDSC recently launched a new “AI for UC San Diego and Partners” initiative to build on UC San Diego’s global leadership in AI. In 2018, UC San Diego’s in-depth technology-related domains deepened further with the creation of HDSI alongside philanthropic support from Computer Science and Engineering Alumnus Taner Halicioğlu and has since established flourishing undergraduate and graduate data science programs. As an institute, HDSI was built upon three foundational goals: transcending department and divisional boundaries to train talent for the transdisciplinary domain, catalyzing research in data science across campus, and building a data science ecosystem of researchers and practitioners working closely with industry partners.
The dean will be expected to establish a School that elevates UC San Diego’s robust reputation for academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity for world-changing innovation. In partnership with an abundance of talented researchers and scholars, the dean will creatively leverage the entire UC San Diego campus community to make SCIDS a locus of innovation and entrepreneurship that will advance the university’s position as a pioneer in key areas of data science, computing, and artificial intelligence- disciplines that are rapidly reshaping modern life. The dean will create a vision for the School to advance data science across all disciplines, advance state-of-the-art computing applications, and align priorities with the broader university goals.
UC San Diego has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and will continue until the completion of the search process.
Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and application materials (complete applications include CV, cover letter, and contributions to diversity statement) should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller search web page: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-california-san-diego-school-computing-information-and-data-sciences/dean. For full consideration, applicants must also apply via the UC San Diego academic recruitment website https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04170 prior to the closing date of April 18, 2025.
UC San Diego is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $450,000-$500,000.
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