Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to remind you about the MacArthur Foundation UC Endowed Chair positions, which are currently open for applications. There is one important thing that I would like to note: While the recruitment site states the initial review date is October 12, we will not review applicant materials until the closing date of October 30. We apologize for any confusion these dates may have caused. Candidates have until October 30 to submit their application materials for consideration.

Guidance regarding Optional Statements of Research and Teaching

We have received requests for guidance on the optional Statements of Research and Teaching. If a candidate chooses to submit either or both statements, it should be specific to the chair role for which the candidate is applying and provide context for evaluation beyond what is included in the candidate’s CV and proposal. Candidates are discouraged from merely submitting recent merit and promotional statements. Please limit each statement to a single-spaced, one-page document using 12-point font.

Background

Every five years, UC Davis has the opportunity to award two MacArthur Foundation UC Endowed Chair appointments, thanks to a generous fund established at UC in 1981. Each campus is permitted to determine the focus of the chairs, and we have selected two Grand Challenges pillars that are vital to the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and our planet: Climate Solutions and Food Sustainability. 

The five-year, nonrenewable endowed chair appointments in Climate Solutions and Food Sustainability will be awarded beginning July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2032. The chairs will receive approximately $65,000 annually over five years to support engagement in distinguished research, teaching, and service.

Requirements to apply

Our world-class researchers in a variety of disciplines are working to solve Earth’s most wicked problems together. Therefore, the MacArthur Foundation UC Endowed Chairs may be selected from any department, college, or school. Applicants must fulfill the following title/rank requirements: 

• Academic Senate member at the level of associate or full professor, or
• Associate or full professor of Cooperative Extension 

Candidates must demonstrate distinguished scholarship and national or international recognition in either Climate Solutions or Food Sustainability. In addition to an updated CV, applicants must submit a proposal outlining how the endowed chair funding will support meaningful contributions to their field. A template for the proposal is available online.

Selection Process and Timeline 

Recruitment for the MacArthur Foundation UC Endowed Chairs will be conducted by the Office of the Provost and a Recruitment Advisory Committee composed of faculty. Interviews will be conducted in the fall and winter with chairs selected in early 2027. 

All applicant materials must be submitted by October 30, 2026.

Visit UC Recruit to learn more and to apply for the Climate Solutions and/or Food Sustainability endowed chair positions. 

Thank you for your excellent work and for contributing in meaningful ways to our teaching, research, and service mission.

All the best,
Mary

Mary Croughan
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor