Deadline
May 11, 2027
Closing in 180 days
Location
N/A
United States
Employment
Permanent
Full time
Reference
N/A
Posted
Nov 12, 2026
About the role
Chair, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences
Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job
Posting Details
Position Information| Position Title | Chair, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences |
|---|---|
| Position Description | The State University of New York College of Optometry invites applications for the Chair of the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences. The chair of the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the department, which is foundational to the optometric curriculum at SUNY College of Optometry. The Chair promotes excellence in teaching, scholarship, innovation, and faculty development while ensuring the basic and vision sciences curriculum equips students for contemporary optometric practice, board success, lifelong learning, emerging technologies and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across education, research, and clinical care. The chair works collaboratively across departmental programs to align departmental goals with the College’s strategic plan, accreditation standards, and evolving educational models. The chair will be responsible for developing and evaluating department faculty, overseeing department curriculum, and fostering an environment that supports translational and clinical research. The chair reports to the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs and serves on the Dean’s Council and the Clinical Education Council. The Chair partners closely with the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, the Chair of the Department of Clinical Education, University Eye Center leadership, and the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research to ensure coordinated planning and communication related to space allocation, faculty workload, course scheduling, teaching, and clinic assignments
The full job description can be viewed here Chair, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences The successful candidate will possess the vision, experience, and leadership skills to establish clear departmental goals, recruit and develop faculty, and support advancement and promotion within a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability. Candidates must hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) and/or PhD degree and demonstrate a strong understanding of optometric education and the integration of basic and vision sciences within the professional curriculum. The ideal candidate will be able to articulate and implement strategies that connect foundational scientific knowledge to clinical application, ensuring that students are prepared for contemporary optometric practice. The Chair must also demonstrate a collaborative leadership style characterized by effective communication, active listening, openness to diverse perspectives, and the ability to engage constructively across varying personalities, disciplines, and learning styles. The successful candidate will value thoughtful debate, seek consensus where appropriate, and foster a team-oriented environment that supports innovation and shared governance. A sustained record of teaching excellence in optometric or vision science education is required, along with evidence of scholarly engagement and professional contributions appropriate to the rank and responsibilities of the position. National recognition within the profession or discipline is preferred. Experience with curricular assessment, pedagogy, immersive learning technologies, data-informed decision-making, and academic innovation is highly desirable. Additional graduate training (e.g., PhD, MS, MPH, MBA, or related field) and/or experience in basic, clinical or translational research is desirable but not required. The successful candidate will receive a faculty appointment, with tenure status and rank determined by qualifications and experience. Applicants must submit a letter of intent describing relevant experience and goals for the position, a CV, and the names and contact information of three references. References will only be contacted in the final phase of the interviews with the applicant’s permission. All applications will remain confidential until the public interview phase of the process. For inquiries about this specific position, please contact:Steven Schwartz, OD, PhDSearch Committee Chair[email protected] About US The State University of New York College of Optometry is dedicated to advancing our mission to serve the public through excellence in education, research, and patient care. We prepare future optometrists, conduct innovative research that enhances quality of life, and deliver exceptional patient care, outreach, and access to eye health services for all who need them. Our community embraces pluralism, respect, critical inquiry, debate, and civil discourse in every aspect of our work. SUNY College of Optometry is an equal opportunity employer. |
| Posting Number | 3522017 |
|---|---|
| Apply by Date | |
| Open Until Filled | |
| Special Instructions to Applicants |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents- Letter of Intent
- Curriculum Vitae
- Reference Contact Information
- Media File
- Portfolio
- Supplemental Documents
How to apply
Read the full posting, then apply through the employer's own site. Applications are handled by the institution, not by AcademicGates.
Please sign in or create an
account to add this post to favorites