Assistant Professor of Population Health

South Dakota State University’s Department of Allied and Population Health is offering an exciting career opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Population Health. Faculty in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions have an outstanding track-record of making an impact in their field.  We are looking for someone who has a vision for the future of population health as a convergence science. The candidate can come from any of the following sectors: academia, government, non-profit or private, with demonstrated early experience in practice-based research or implementing/using research methodology in clinical practice to drive improvement of outcomes. 

We are seeking to recruit an innovative leader who has demonstrated a passion for improving the human condition through health care innovation, has the potential to translate research into application, and teach the next generation of practitioner the art of understanding and applying research skills into everyday practice.  This leader will bring to our team a deep understanding of the application of research in clinical practice, the innovation and creativity to design and develop research focused in the area of population health and implementation science, and the ability to work with an award-winning team of practitioners and researchers in advancing research and teaching.  The successful candidate will join a rapidly growing, innovative and inter-disciplinary department consisting of practitioners and researchers working to improve the human condition. This is a 12 month, full-time, benefits-eligible position which is supervised by the Department Head of the Allied and Population Health Department. The anticipated start date for this position is Spring 2022.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant Professor of Population Health will dedicate 40% of their time to teaching students in both our accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degree programs. Topics covered either independently or in conjunction with a team include, but are not limited to, cultural competence, leadership and project management, public and population health, applied research in practice, and the integrated/applied practice experience. There will also be opportunity for development of elective courses.  

In addition to teaching, the faculty member will dedicate 50% of their time to research and will serve as one of the core team members within the newly established Community Practice Innovations Center (CPIC). Faculty in the department currently have a diverse research portfolio and grantsmanship totaling three (3) million dollars.

As a land-grant University, community engagement is encouraged and the faculty member will have 10% of their time dedicated to service activities both internally to SDSU, and externally to our community and the profession.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Sponsorship is not available for this position; must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Earned doctorate in one of the following disciplines by the start date:  public health, medicine, epidemiology, global health, health policy, health services research, implementation science, pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research, social and administrative sciences or a PharmD with post-graduate training (residency or fellowship), a DNP, or a related field.
• Demonstrate strong potential for establishing a vigorous, independent and externally funded research program.
• Experience with grantsmanship.
• Strong technology skills, particularly SAS, Stata, SPSS, R or other statistical analysis software.
• Experience with survey development and/or large database analysis (such as electronic health record, registry, etc.)
• Two (2) or more years of experience teaching either at the undergraduate or graduate level as an appointed faculty member, a teaching assistant, adjunct lecturer, or a clinical preceptor.
• Experience in creating an engaging and interactive learning environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a contributing team member.
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and willingness to travel.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Two (2) or more years of experience with teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Online or hybrid teaching experience.
• Demonstrated experience building successful partnerships across various disciplines.
• Demonstrated success with grant submissions and receipt of funds.
• Has four (4) or more publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Clinical practice or health care experience. 

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

South Dakota has 3 Integrated Delivery Networks. Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the US is headquartered in Sioux Falls, with locations in 26 states and 10 countries. Avera Health is a mid-sized health system with locations across the upper Midwest. Monument Health, headquartered in Rapid City, is a community-based health care system serving patients across Western South Dakota and Wyoming.

Faculty in the College have strong partnerships with these healthcare systems, and many have joint appointments. Classrooms, faculty offices, and clinical sites are also held at Monument, Sanford, and Avera Health systems giving students first-hand practice experience working alongside real-world practitioners. Practice-based research is encouraged, and graduate students work collaboratively with faculty and students from other disciplines on research projects. 

The Allied and Population Health Department houses faculty from pharmacy, public health, medical laboratory sciences, and respiratory care. The Population Health division of the department has faculty with diverse backgrounds in pharmacy and public health. The department offers a total of nine (9) academic programs across these disciplines. Faculty work with collaborating institutions across the state and nation. Our students complete clinical experiences with our collaborative partners and affiliate sites all across America. Inter-disciplinary collaboration is fostered and encouraged among faculty and students.

In addition to teaching, the department houses the new Community Practice Innovations Center (CPIC) which focuses on community-based research with an emphasis on access to care, population health, and improving health outcomes.

From 2017-2019, SDSU’s NAPLEX pass rates were ranked 2nd in the nation. The CEPH accredited MPH program, is a joint collaboration with faculty from SDSU and the University of South Dakota bringing together faculty from diverse health care disciplines. The program is one of only a handful of programs across the country that prides itself on a successful joint partnership of this kind. The College has consistently recorded 100% job placement for graduates for many of our academic programs and continues to offer a very dynamic working environment for faculty.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by September 26, 2021.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. 

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment.  

It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Erin Miller at (605) 274-9544 or erin.miller@sdstate.edu.  

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.