Description

Director of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR)

University of Kentucky College of Medicine
 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine invites applications and nominations for a director to lead its dynamic Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR). CDAR conducts research into the biological, psychological, sociological, epidemiological, and clinical aspects of substance use disorders, related behaviors, and consequences. Center faculty successfully compete for federal, state, and private research funding to support their work.  Focal topics include the development of novel treatments for substance use disorders, improving treatment outcomes, addressing infectious diseases associated with drug use, harm reduction approaches, criminal justice involvement, intimate partner violence, substance use in rural areas, and public policy. The multidisciplinary center also provides consultation services to public agencies and state and local governments. The center has a history of providing training on evidence-based treatment, intervention, and prevention approaches, as well as offering services to local, state, and national service providers and policymakers.

The UK College of Medicine seeks a visionary director with a proven track record of scholarly achievement, particularly in advancing research related to the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Exceptional accomplishments as a researcher and academic are necessary, as the director’s duties will include continuing their own research program, supervising trainees, and maintaining service activities. We are seeking a senior (associate or professor) research and leadership-focused faculty member for this tenured or tenure-track, Regular Title Series, full-time (12-month) position.

The predominant criteria for appointment as director include a national reputation for research and a strong track record of mentoring faculty while training future leaders in this area. A successful candidate will be a prominent academic leader and role model with expertise in substance use and/or alcohol-focused research, education, and mentorship.

The successful candidate should demonstrate leadership skills as a listener, decision-maker, and effective advocate for the center and its faculty, trainees, and staff. The candidate should have experience in developing collaborative initiatives and possess the skills necessary to promote, foster, and facilitate trust among colleagues and the broader University faculty. The successful applicant should demonstrate impeccable integrity and be an effective communicator. Prior administrative experience as a department chair, director, vice chair, or director of graduate studies, or an equivalent role, is preferred.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent in behavioral sciences, public health, social sciences, communication, health services research, bioinformatics, health sciences, or other related fields
• Existing appointment or eligibility for appointment at an associate or full professor rank
• Strong record of extramural funding and peer-reviewed publications in drug and alcohol research
• Demonstrated leadership in administrative positions
• Demonstrated commitment to mentorship and career development
• Recognized involvement in academic and professional societies at a national level
   

The College of Medicine seeks qualified applicants who value its mission.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to foster a community in which individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are fully supported as they advance in their career.

Position Description
The selected faculty member will be expected to conduct innovative, rigorous, grant-funded research and engage in scholarly activities (peer-reviewed publications, presentations, etc.) as well as to provide leadership for CDAR’s faculty, staff, and trainees. 

Anticipated Percentage of Time and Effort
Activity                                                                                                            Percentage
Research/Scholarly Activities                                                                          60%
Instructional Activities                                                                                    5%
Leadership and Administration                                                                      20%
Service to Center, College, University, or Professional Organizations           10%
Professional Development                                                                             5%
 

Anticipated Duties
This position is established in keeping with the mission statement of the UK College of Medicine.

Mission Statement
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine fosters an environment that promotes excellence in education, access to high-quality health care, and transformative research to enhance the health and wellness of Kentuckians and beyond.

Scope of Role
As a position of oversight, the director of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research serves as the most visible advocate for center activities. The director will ensure that faculty, staff, and trainees work in conjunction with one another and with other groups across the college and campus, sharing research resources whenever possible. The director will also provide administrative, scientific, and mentoring support to center faculty, staff, and trainees. The director will work to uphold and expand the reputation and mission of the center at the University, in the community and nationally, while also serving as a leader for the College of Medicine.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight for the research portfolio of CDAR, encouraging the growth of its research through scholarly dissemination (publishing, presenting, submitting, and obtaining extramural funding) and interdisciplinary collaboration within the College of Medicine and outside the college.
• Support a positive and productive environment for faculty, staff, and trainees within the center.
  Promote mentorship of faculty, staff, and trainees in research and professional development.
• Facilitate an environment of collaborative research, including maintaining records of accomplishments and supporting the acquisition of external funding.
• Maintain and expand University-wide and external partnerships to advance CDAR’s mission and initiatives, including pursuing philanthropic partnerships.
• Manage center resources and space to ensure effective, transparent, and productive utilization.
• Represent and communicate the needs and priorities of the center and its affiliated faculty to College of Medicine and institutional leadership.
• Sustain and grow the national and international reputation of the center in the fields of substance use through professional, societal, and evidence-based outreach and the development of complex center grants.
   

Ideal Candidate Experience and Attributes:

• A strong visionary and inspirational leader who conveys a long-term vision for the center and is skilled at implementing a detailed plan to achieve that vision. Highly approachable and compassionate; a record of promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, teamwork, respect, and honesty; a professional and personal commitment to integrity, graciousness, humility, genuineness, empathy, and sincerity; and a passion for the organization’s mission and objectives.
• Exceptionally team-oriented with strong communication skills; skilled at working well and partnering with scientists across the college and University to identify, build, and negotiate “win-win” relationships and collaborations; politically astute yet apolitical with an ability to break down silos and ensure a collegial and productive work environment.
• Highly adept and at ease managing the day-to-day operational details with the ability to make well-informed and timely decisions when needed, while at the same time creating unity within a broad center comprising faculty from several departments.
• Able to conceptualize and analyze complex business and development opportunities and to understand the finances of an academic research center and apply that knowledge to manage all aspects of the center appropriately.
• Actively develop the center’s mission, strategies, and practices to enhance productivity in the workplace.
• Demonstrated commitment to community engagement and sustainable partnerships through research, institutional initiatives, and service.
   

The Center on Drug and Alcohol Research
The Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR) began in 1990. CDAR conducts research into the biological, psychological, sociopolitical, and clinical aspects of substance use and related behavior. The Center conducts federally funded and state-funded research on substance use and associated problem areas such as intimate violence, criminal justice settings, and characteristics of rural substance use.

CDAR also provides consultation services to public agencies and state and local governments. The center has a history of providing training on evidence-based treatment, intervention, and prevention approaches, as well as providing services, including but not limited to evidence-based treatment through two clinics residing within the center, to the community.

CDAR is comprised of a transdisciplinary group of faculty, staff, and trainees who engage in research on alcohol and substance use disorders. The spirit of collaboration and positive energy that helped to build CDAR over the past 35 years has grown ever stronger. The center consists of 19 core faculty members and 94 staff, with ~$15 million in annual grant funding over the past five years.

Vision:
The University of Kentucky strives to be an institution recognized worldwide for excellence in teaching, research, and service, and a catalyst for intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development.

The center is committed to maintaining an environment that supports:

• Outstanding research of high scientific caliber
• Rich opportunities for teaching and training at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels
• A rich variety of perspectives and talents
• Collaboration and partnerships both within and outside the University
• Respect for creativity and contending perspectives
• Freedom to learn and a sense of community
• Excellence in all activities
   

Mission:
Through the acquisition, application, and dissemination of knowledge, CDAR builds upon Kentucky’s tradition of excellence in addiction research, education, and services. The center will fulfill the University’s mission of enriching people’s lives through excellence in teaching, research, and service.  

CDAR will:

• Develop knowledge to improve substance use interventions and services with an emphasis on rural issues
• Develop and apply methods to explore and understand the various aspects of the etiology of risky substance use and use disorder and services to prevent and reduce morbidity and mortality
• Develop and facilitate education and training opportunities
• Use evidence-based findings to inform the public about relevant matters
  
  

University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Established in 1960, the UK College of Medicine produces highly qualified, caring physicians and biomedical scientists to serve the people of Kentucky and the nation. The college educates more than 800 medical students across four campuses, along with more than 860 ACGME-accredited program residents and fellows in 80 programs, and over 300 master’s and PhD students. It is one of seven health-related colleges at the University (Dentistry, Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work), encompassing a combined 25 basic science and clinical departments and more than 1,200 full-time faculty members.

Over the past five years, the college has expanded its reach to address the state’s physician shortage, with medical school campuses in Bowling Green, Lexington, Morehead, and Northern Kentucky and two new internal medicine residency programs in Ashland and Pikeville.  The college's Rural Physician Leadership Program in Morehead offers third- and fourth-year medical students a curriculum that emphasizes rural medicine.

In recent years, the College of Medicine has placed a strong emphasis on research. In fiscal year 2025, the college’s research funding exceeded $208 million. With 931 active awards conducted by 365 PI/MPIs in FY2025, the College of Medicine is dedicated to alleviating the most urgent health issues Kentuckians face through cutting-edge research.

UK HealthCare
UK HealthCare, the College of Medicine’s clinical enterprise, is an award-winning, nationally recognized health care system dedicated to patient-focused care. Its designations as a Level 1 Trauma Center and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit mean its team of more than 15,000 health care professionals is highly qualified to provide the most advanced patient care in Kentucky. The hospital system, which comprises more than 15 specialized clinics and 114 outreach programs, reported over 46,562 patient discharges and a total Ambulatory volume over 1.5 million for fiscal year 2025. Under the leadership of Co-Executive Vice Presidents for Health Affairs, Drs. Robert DiPaola and Eric Monday, and the Chief Physician Executive, Dr. Jay Grider, UK HealthCare has been recognized as a top hospital in Kentucky.

The University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is a public land-grant university and Kentucky’s flagship institution, with a mission to serve the Commonwealth through excellence in education, research, creative work, service, and healthcare.

The University has been named a “Great College to Work For” and has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best-in-State Employers 2025, reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.  Those who work here enjoy competitive employee benefits, along with a variety of enriching arts and entertainment experiences, including concerts, museum visits, and spirited athletics events.

For more information about UK’s campus, watch: https://visit.uky.edu/virtual-visit 

Living in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and home to a welcoming community. The city is a blend of scenic beauty and vibrant nightlife, featuring campus happenings and downtown attractions. It also maintains a thriving economy thanks to its abundance of various industries. Large worldwide companies, such as Lexmark and Valvoline, are headquartered in Lexington, and other major employers, including Amazon and UPS, have a strong presence here. For more information and an engaging video overview, click here:  https://www.uky.edu/ofa/welcome-lexington.

For additional information on the city of Lexington, visit: http://www.visitlex.com/about/visitor-guide/   or watch: https://www.visitlex.com/virtual-tours-lexington/

How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply through the University of Kentucky job posting: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/610378. Questions and inquiries can be directed to the search chairs: Thomas E. Curry (tecurry@uky.edu) or Kevin J. Pearson (kevin.pearson@uky.edu). All applications will be handled in a secure, sensitive, and confidential manner.

The position is open until filled; however, review of applications will begin on Jan. 14, 2026. Please submit by this date to ensure full consideration.

Follow this link for the application: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/610378

Upon offer of employment, successful applicants must undergo a national background check and pre-employment drug screen as required by the University of Kentucky Human Resources. The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity University. Qualified individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Required Education
PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent in Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Social Sciences, Communication, Health Services Research, Bioinformatics, Health Sciences, or other related fields, and be eligible for appointment at an Associate or Full Professor rank.

Required Related Experience

• Strong record of extramural funding and peer-reviewed publications in drug and alcohol research
• Demonstrated leadership in administrative positions
• Demonstrated commitment to mentorship and career development
• Recognized involvement in academic and professional societies at a national level