Chair, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences

Overview

The State University of New York College of Optometry invites applications for the Chair of the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences. The chair provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the department, which is foundational to the optometric curriculum. 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 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 advances translational and clinical research in partnership with research faculty. 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 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.

• Hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) or PhD degree and demonstrate a strong understanding of optometric education and the integration of basic and vision sciences within the professional curriculum.
• Articulate and implement strategies that connect foundational scientific knowledge to clinical application, ensuring students are prepared for contemporary optometric practice.
• Demonstrate a collaborative leadership style with effective communication, active listening, openness to diverse perspectives, and the ability to engage across varying personalities, disciplines, and learning styles.
• Foster a team-oriented environment that supports innovation and shared governance; value thoughtful debate and seek consensus where appropriate.
• Develop and evaluate department faculty, oversee curriculum, and advance translational and clinical research in partnership with research faculty.
• Coordinate planning related to space allocation, faculty workload, course scheduling, teaching, and clinic assignments in collaboration with college leadership.

• A sustained record of teaching excellence in optometric or vision science education is required, 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) is preferred.
• Experience in clinical or translational research is desirable and will be supported with a competitive startup package.
• The successful candidate will receive a faculty appointment, with tenure status and rank determined by qualifications and experience.

• Complete applications must be submitted by May 6, 2026. 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…