Assistant Professor, Health and Human Performance

Description:

The Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Health, Education and Professional Studies invites applications for a tenure-track position in Public Health beginning August 2021.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Department of Health and Human Performance, invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The professor will teach graduate courses in public health, as well as advise, mentor, and work to professionally develop our students for a career in public health. The successful candidate will also be expected to work closely with the Program Director in contributing to the development of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation process. In addition, the new faculty member will be expected to develop and engage in interdisciplinary community-based partnerships, participate in collaborative research programs, and provide service to the institution and the local community. Working collaboratively and cooperatively with faculty and staff within the department, college, and across campus is essential.

The MPH (Master of Public Health) program has a unique focus on Chronic Disease Prevention & Control with the mission of engaging students through applied, interdisciplinary learning experiences that equip them to take an active role in providing public health leadership within the communities they serve. This program, designed to prevent premature disease and disability, strives to promote health equity, and reduce health disparities through community-engaged experiences and collaborative approaches. Additional faculty members are necessary to complement the existing faculty by contributing to the leadership process and to the growth of the program. This search is focused on identifying a candidate who can create a stimulating and innovative learning environment to engage students, faculty from across campus, and external collaborators from local organizations, community stakeholders, health departments, and local health systems.

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will possess the following requirements:

• An earned PhD, DrPH, or equivalent degree in public health or related field or evidence of productivity and success in public and/or community health with a doctorate. (NOTE: Individuals who are "all but dissertation" (ABD) will be considered; however, the degree must be awarded by July 15th, 2021.)
• Research interest and/or teaching experience in fields such as community-engaged research, health policy, health systems, and administration, addressing health disparities and health equity, chronic disease prevention, and/or epidemiology.
• Experience teaching graduate and/or undergraduate courses related to public health.
• Evidence of conducting and disseminating public health-related research.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across all levels; demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and build consensus among diverse, multicultural populations, including graduate students, faculty, and community partners.
• Evidence of community-based collaborations with diverse populations.
• Willingness to engage in assisting the UTC campus in its ability to reach additional goals as specified in UTC's strategic plan.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Priority consideration will be given to candidates with an established record in the field of chronic disease prevention and control that can be applied widely, particularly in underserved communities; strong quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods research skills; and experience with service learning and/or facilitating community-based partnerships.
• Applicants should have a strong commitment to graduate education and training. Teaching responsibilities could include instructing core modules in the MPH program, such as healthcare systems and administration, health policy, environmental health, public health systems thinking and other core areas in public health. The specific area of expertise is flexible within the general field of chronic disease prevention and control. The program has a particular interest in individuals with a background and/or expertise in the following areas of public health:

- dissemination and implementation science of evidence-based interventions in practice settings;
- community-engaged research;
- building organizational capacity of local and state health agencies and community-based organizations;
- environmental health;
- epidemiology;
- health policy and health administration;
- health communication; or
- public health systems science.

• Evidence of multidisciplinary, collaborative work is highly desirable. The program seeks to enhance collaborations with colleagues in other units across the University, as well as with a variety of external, community-based partnerships.
• Familiarity with a variety of instructional modalities, including online instruction.
• Background working in or within diverse organizations or communities.
• Demonstrated record of advising and mentoring diverse students.
• Evidence of ability to conduct research that informs practice and/or policy addressing the health of underrepresented and diverse groups.
• At least two years of experience working in public health settings in a leadership role.
• Master of Public Health degree preferred.

Application Procedures:

Applicants should prepare to submit the following information within our online application system for consideration:

• Cover letter/letter of interest
• CV, including up-to-date, personal contact information (email, phone, etc.)
• Unofficial transcripts
• Statement of research focus (1 page)
• Statement of teaching philosophy (1 page)
• Statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion -Applicants will also include a diversity statement that demonstrates how his/her teaching, research, and service advocate for and support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Review of applicants will be reviewed from February 1st, 2021 - March 1, 2021.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the UTC Faculty Career Site.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the second largest school in the University of Tennessee System, serving a diverse student body of more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students through five academic colleges. UTC offers a unique blend of private and public school traditions and is a driving force for achieving excellence, embracing diversity, inspiring positive change, and enriching the community. Since its founding as Chattanooga University in 1886, UTC has developed a reputation for excellence built on an unusual blend of the private and public traditions of American higher education. For more than 83 years, the university was a private school. In 1969, UTC became part of the state university system. Today, UTC is on a journey to excellence - boldly embracing a passion for excellence in all things and focused on changing lives and transforming communities. The UTC commitment—each and every day—is to earn the trust and confidence of those we serve. Our goal is to make a difference in our community and in the lives of our students.

Chattanooga, the fourth largest city in the state, is located in Southeast Tennessee near the border of Georgia at the junction of four interstate highways. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. Chattanooga also has the fastest internet in the country. Home to the first Gig Internet in the United States, Chattanooga has a 100% fiber network that links every home and business in a 600-square mile area. Companies like Unum, McKee, U.S. Xpress, Volkswagen, Coke United and Amazon.com have chosen to set up shop in Chattanooga. Attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Civil War battlefield sites, the African American Museum, and the Appalachian Trail bring thousands of people to the area, as do events like the Riverbend Festival, Nightfall, Jazzanooga, the Creative Discovery Museum for Children, and the Southern Writers Conference. Chattanooga is the home to the seven-time NCAA Southern Conference Football Champions, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs.? People who love the outdoors use Chattanooga as a base for hang-gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing and caving expeditions; the beautiful Smoky Mountains and Tennessee River support the greatest variety of flora of any area in the United States. Chattanooga also has a long and rich past with regard to diversity, which includes Native American heritage, Civil War history, and the Civil Rights movement. Chattanooga is also just a two-hour (or less) drive from Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, and Birmingham.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.

Qualifications :