Adjunct Professor Series Full-time

Adjunct Professor Series

The UCLA Department of Biological Chemistry/Brain Research Institute (BRI) seeks a dynamic and visionary individual to serve as the Director of Neuroscience Community Engagement and Public Education. This leadership role is dedicated to broadening public understanding of neuroscience through inclusive, accessible, and evidence-based initiatives that connect UCLA's neuroscience community with diverse public audiences.

This role actively supports the BRI Director in advancing the institute's mission to foster neuroscience education and community engagement. The selected individual will conceptualize, lead, and evaluate innovative outreach programs that translate complex neuroscience research into engaging, meaningful content for the general public, educators, schools, and community partners. This role will also support neuroscience education and science communication initiatives by leading the design and delivery of innovative courses at UCLA that prepare neuroscientists and trainees (students and postdoctoral researchers) to communicate clearly and ethically with public audiences.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a passionate neuroscience educator, communicator, and advocate to shape the future of public neuroscience engagement at one of the nation's leading research institutions. This is a remote-eligible hybrid-eligible position, with expected travel to UCLA for campus initiatives, in-person programming, and collaborative meetings.

Strategic Public Engagement & Education

• Develop and lead community-based neuroscience programs, events, and workshops that translate complex brain science into accessible content for public audiences—including students, educators, families, and lifelong learners.

• Forge and sustain partnerships with schools, museums, libraries, health organizations, community colleges, and civic institutions to broaden access to neuroscience and brain health education.

• Leverage technology and digital media to extend the reach of neuroscience education to broader audiences.

• Organize large-scale public events, such as UCLA Brain Awareness Week, science festivals, speaker series, and campus-community collaborations.

• Represent the BRI at local and national outreach events, conferences, and education summits to elevate UCLA's neuroscience engagement mission.

Program & Curriculum Leadership at UCLA

• Design and teach courses in science communication and neuroscience outreach, including the Fiat Lux course on science communication for UCLA undergraduates.

• Lead development of innovative neuroscience education programming using evidence-based pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices.

• Mentor and support BRI-affiliated undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdocs, in developing and evaluating outreach and education initiatives.

• Create and maintain assessment plans and logic models to measure the effectiveness, scalability, and pedagogical impact of education programs.

• Expand connections within UCLA by bridging neuroscience with other programs and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to strengthen campus-wide community engagement.

• Collaborate with the BRI Summer Programs for Undergraduates to develop impactful research experiences and mentorship opportunities, fostering engagement among students from all backgrounds.

Inclusive Engagement and Community Outreach

• Champion inclusive neuroscience education by developing initiatives that foster belonging and equitable access for learners from all backgrounds.

• Foster a sense of belonging within the neuroscience community by designing initiatives that ensure equitable access to educational opportunities.

• Support public neuroscience education by engaging community college learners, nontraditional students, and individuals from a variety of life experiences.

Communication, Evaluation & Leadership

• Serve as Editor-in-Chief of the BRI's public-facing newsletter and other communications platforms to share research, community stories, and institute updates.

• Evaluate public outreach initiatives using both qualitative and quantitative data, generating insights to inform continuous improvement and engagement strategy.

• Supervise staff and/or fellows involved in education, outreach, and communication.

• Collaborate with UCLA faculty and national partners to secure external funding for education and engagement initiatives.

Basic qualifications

Ph.D. in neuroscience, science education, science communication, or related field.

Preferred qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in neuroscience research and education, including a minimum of 8 years of leadership in community engagement and public outreach initiatives.

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and implementing neuroscience outreach or education programs at the university or community level.

• Experience working with K–12 schools, community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or nonprofit education organizations.

• Formal teaching training and experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate students.

• Experience in curriculum design, particularly neuroscience education and science communication.

• Experience in science writing, media communication, or creative public science storytelling.

• Demonstrated commitment to improving access in education and outreach.

• Excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, and community partners.