Tenure-track Position in Health Equity

Tenure-track Position in Health Equity

The UMass-Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences (www.umass.edu/sphhs/) is seeking applicants from a range of fields in public health and health sciences for a tenure-track position as an Assistant or Associate Professor of Health Equity. We are particularly interested in applicants with a demonstrated track record of scholarly work in health equity, broadly defined as improving the health of those most directly affected by inequality, structural racism, and other forms of exclusion through research, policy and intervention.  

About UMass
 

UMass Amherst is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

The School of Public Health & Health Sciences comprises a highly collaborative group of researchers with a wide range of interests including health disparities, women’s health, cancer biomarkers, community-based research and engagement, disability, global health, reproductive health, nutrition, communication disorders, disability, addiction, environmental health, genomics, physical activity, aging, diabetes, and health policy. Our faculty maintain national and international collaborations as well as collaborations across SPHHS and the wider UMass campus, including the UMass Medical School in Worcester, MA, and Baystate Health in Springfield, MA.

Job Description

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) is committed to promoting health equity through rigorous research, innovative teaching, and community engagement. We recognize that societal factors such as systemic racism and discrimination are among the root causes of many chronic and infectious diseases including COVID-19. This tenure-track search aims to increase the research capacity in SPHHS to understand policies, practices, and environments that produce health inequities and to develop programs to address those gaps. The conception of “health” for this interdisciplinary position is intentionally flexible, including physical, mental, and social-emotional health. Research and teaching interests may include, but are not limited to, expertise in areas such as health equity, structural racism, stigma/prejudice/bias/discrimination in healthcare, intersectionality, cultural humility, environmental justice, social determinants of health, food sovereignty and food security, women’s health, disability, sexual and reproductive health, feminist/queer kinship, or health across the lifespan. The successful candidate will provide leadership in the advancement of health equity research, including the social determinants of health, for groups who experience worse health outcomes than the general population.

Responsibilities of this fully state-funded (9-month) tenure track position include an active program of research, teaching, professional and community service, as well as mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Depending on background, training and research interests, the successful candidate may join the faculty in any SPHHS Department (Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Communication Disorders, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Promotion and Policy, Kinesiology, and Nutrition). The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to become affiliated with the UMass Amherst Center for Community Health Equity Research and other institutes or centers on campus.

The School of Public Health & Health Sciences is committed to increasing the diversity of the faculty, student body, and curriculum. A record of, or potential for, building diverse and effective collaborations in research, teaching and service is positively considered. The School is interested in candidates who have the potential to work with, or have their research help, diverse populations. Further, the School values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds, and who possess a strong commitment to contributing to the success of historically underrepresented students.

Requirements

Candidates for the position must possess the following:

• Terminal doctoral degree in public health or related fields of study (PhD, DrPH, DSc, JD, MD)
• Evidence of high quality independent and collaborative research
• Proven track record of (or excellent potential for) extramural research funding.
• Evidence of excellent teaching skills or potential at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Potential for fostering equity and inclusion
• Demonstrated interest and ability to engage with community partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates with a commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to health research. 

Salary/Benefits:

The University offers a competitive salary with an attractive benefits package. Details on benefits can be found at https://www.umass.edu/humres/benefits-0. This position is in the MSP/MTA bargaining unit. 

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically via the UMass careers site: https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/510506/tenure-track-assistant-professor-health-equity

• Curriculum vitae
• A description of their research and teaching interests
• A diversity statement that details how their research, mentoring, and teaching will promote diversity and inclusivity at our school
• Contact information for three (3) references.

Applications should be received by November 17, 2021 for priority consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is September 2022.

Additional Information
 

For questions about the search process, please contact Carey Simos at csimos@schoolph.umass.edu.

The University of Massachusetts committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages seven applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.