Associate Professor in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nutrition

Associate Professor in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nutrition & Health Equity

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University seeks applications for one Tenure-eligible position in the area of Maternal Child Health (MCH) Nutrition & Health Equity. MCH is broadly defined and includes not only pregnancy, lactation, and infants, but also families, school-age children, adolescents and emerging adults. Focus areas in this space would prioritize equity in nutrition prevention and promotion, including dissemination and implementation activities, for underserved and marginalized MCH populations. The hire will be co-funded by Penn State's Department of Nutritional Sciences (http://nutrition.hhd.psu.edu) and the Penn State Social Sciences Research Institute (SSRI) (https://ssri.psu.edu/) and is part of a cluster hire of four faculty members in different units across Penn State who will add to an existing campus cluster. The goal of this cluster is to foster collaborations among social and behavioral scientists, and others, working from the person- to the population levels on understanding and reducing disparities. Colleagues with strong interdisciplinary and translational orientations are particularly desired. The tenure home will be in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The position comes with a competitive start-up package and salary based on 36-weeks of service annually, which can be supplemented with additional salary up to a total of 48 weeks from external competitive grants and contracts and/or from endowment funds.

MCH populations are particularly vulnerable to social determinants of health and adverse nutrition-related health outcomes, yet the proportion of research effort that is allocated to health prevention for these populations as compared to chronic disease management is small. Modifiable factors in the ecology, particularly those factors related to social and structural determinants of health, have population-level impacts on the ability to maintain a healthful diet, particularly for MCH populations who are at greater risk for food and nutrition insecurity. Inequities in these determinants limit the potential for optimal health and development. This position will complement the research of existing faculty within the Department, SSRI, and across the University, which includes research related to prevention of cardiovascular disease; ingestive behavior; mechanisms of obesity; studies of diet, physical activity and cancer prevention; maternal child health including pregnancy and lactation; research on genetic models of inflammation; epidemiology, and global health nutrition.

Applicants will be expected to maintain a successful research program and to teach in the Department's undergraduate and graduate programs. Teaching and service expectations will be appropriate to Penn State's mission as a Land Grant university. The successful applicant's research may span the translational research spectrum from preclinical to population-based work. We are seeking a highly motivated individual with:

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned doctoral degree in nutrition, public health, psychology, social work, public policy, or closely related field (PhD, MD and/or equivalent) is required
  
• Evidence of original research published in peer-reviewed journals and evidence of past and potential for extramural funding
  
• Proficiency in teaching and mentoring students
  
• Research that is synergistic with core areas of the strategic plans of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, SSRI, the College of Health and Human Development, and Penn State overall, of which Enhancing Health is one of five thematic priorities (http://strategicplan.psu.edu/thematic-priorities/ )
  

Desired Qualifications

• Credentials as an RDN
  

The Department seeks applicants whose professional preparedness, experience, and accomplishments are informed by experiences working with and within groups historically underrepresented in higher education in the United States. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate, through prior actions and achievements, intentional and actioned commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Examples of such contributions are research or creative activity focused on empowering underserved populations; teaching, mentorship, and service that increases equitable access; and inclusion in fields where historically excluded populations are underrepresented.

About the Department of Nutritional Sciences

The National Research Council ranked Penn State's Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences among the nation's best. More information is available at: (https://hhd.psu.edu/nutrition). The Department has 26 full-time faculty. Current student enrollments are approximately 250 undergraduate students, 44 Master's students. and 26 PhD students. The Department provides a supportive, collaborative environment that facilitates and encourages interdisciplinary translational research. Collaborative opportunities abound in the Department of Nutritional Sciences; in other departments in the College of Health and Human Development; as well as in other Penn State Colleges (e.g., Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences), Centers and Institutes across campus, including but not limited to the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, the Social Sciences Research Institute, Penn State Clinical and Translational Institute (CTSI), Penn State Cancer Institute, and Cooperative Extension. Faculty within the department have a high success rate of extramural funding. The Department is invested in the success of the faculty, staff, and students, and has developed a mentoring program for faculty.

The Department of Nutritional Sciences is located within the College of Health and Human Development (HHD) at University Park. HHD enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduates and 350 full-time graduate students. The College includes eight academic units and several research centers and service units. For more information about HHD, visit: www.hhdev.psu.edu.

About the Social Sciences Research Institute

SSRI fosters research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national, and international levels. We do so by bringing together researchers from different disciplines around emerging areas of study, and by providing consultation, financial support, shared, accessible infrastructure, and services to social scientists at Penn State, with an emphasis on policy, systems, and environmental change. The SSRI houses 11 other institutes/centers that promote and support its strategic aims.

This position is located at the University Park campus of Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania, a picturesque locale in the heart of the Commonwealth known as Happy Valley. As a vibrant college town, State College hosts year-round festivals and activities and is near countless miles of hiking trails and state parks. State College is not only centrally located in Pennsylvania, but also the Mid-Atlantic region. Major metropolitan areas including Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg are just a short drive away.

Application & Inquiries

To apply, interested candidates should complete an on-line application (https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Associate-Professor-in-Maternal-and-Child-Health--MCH--Nutrition---Health-Equity_REQ_0000036191-1) and upload: Cover letter Personal statement addressing interests and vision (future goals and plans) in a) research and b) teaching; A diversity statement; A curriculum vitae along with names, titles, and complete contact information for three professional references who may be contacted; and, Three peer-reviewed manuscripts illustrating the applicant's contribution to the scientific literature

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Please address materials to the Assistant/Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences (Open) Search Committee and direct questions or informal inquiries to the search committee chair, Professor Kathleen Keller (klk37@psu.edu). Please indicate "MCH Nutrition Associate Professor" in the subject line of email correspondence and cc: the message to Julie Brenneman (jqk7@psu.edu).


Review of applications will begin October 21, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Salary is competitive, commensurate with background and experience. An attractive benefits package is available.


Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Associate-Professor-in-Maternal-and-Child-Health--MCH--Nutrition---Health-Equity_REQ_0000036191-1

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Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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