Environmental Neurotoxicity Tenure Track Faculty Position in the Department of Biobehavioral Health

Environmental Neurotoxicity Tenure Track Faculty Position in the Department of Biobehavioral Health

The Department of Biobehavioral Health (BBH) in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), in partnership with the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, at the Pennsylvania State University invites applications for an associate or full-rank tenure-line faculty position focusing on neurotoxicology and environmental health. The position could start as early as Fall 2023. BBH, which would serve as the home department for the new position, embraces an interconnected biological and behavioral approach to health. Qualified candidates could apply this approach in multiple areas of environmental neurotoxicology that connect with other research priorities in the department, college, and University. These include, but are not limited to neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration and pathologic aging, occupational health, mental health, and addiction. In particular, neurotoxicologists interested in the interplay of environmental exposures and social determinants of health and/or in the impact of environmental exposures on vulnerable populations are encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants who have an interest in the novel and integrative approaches across a range of biological, socio-cultural, community-based, psychological, and behavioral data, including neuroscience, biomarkers, imaging, immunology, genetics, ecological momentary assessment, ambulatory sensors, qualitative approaches, computational modeling, and/or cutting-edge statistical approaches; however, qualified applicants should feature environmental neurotoxicology at the core of their research. The geographic region of the research may include work conducted globally and/or in the U.S.

The Department of BBH is a uniquely multi-faceted program that examines the space where biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and global factors converge to affect health and wellness across the entire human lifespan. We are particularly interested in individuals whose research fits within the department's interdisciplinary focus on integrating biological, environmental, psychosocial, and contextual processes. Although the tenure home of the position is in BBH, the successful candidate will assume a key role in interdisciplinary research collaborations and will be co-funded through the Huck Institutes for Life Sciences. The Huck Institute fosters excellence in life sciences research and graduate training through focused investment in outstanding faculty, interdisciplinary programs, and state-of-the-art facilities http://huck.psu.edu. The successful candidate should be a collaborative leader who will promote and enhance excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary research between BBH and the Huck Institute.

This position will build on the existing strengths of BBH and the Huck Institute which include expertise in interdisciplinary research on how diverse factors interact to influence health and well-being. BBH Departmental research examines substantive areas in which biology and behavior are inextricably interconnected (e.g., behavioral neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, mental health, stress, sleep), issues related to chronic disease (aging, cardiometabolic health, obesity, nutrition), infectious disease (e.g., HIV), as well as pertinent areas of scholarship that provide important windows into health such as neuroscience, epigenetics, health disparities, global public health, environmental justice, epidemiology, innovative methods, prevention science, and translational science. Department faculty are highly research-active, transdisciplinary, and collaborative.

Applicants must demonstrate excellence in environmental neurotoxicology research, a strong publication record, interest in collaboration across disciplines, commitment to mentoring students or early career researchers, and a track record of (or strong potential for) external grant funding, with excellent potential to carry forward such research and funding. Responsibilities of this position include continuing a funded or fundable line of interdisciplinary biobehavioral health research, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, supervising and mentoring student researchers, and providing service to the Department, College, and University. A doctorate in neuroscience, toxicology, biology, chemistry or a related field is required.

Penn State University, the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), BBH, and the Huck Institute strongly encourage applicants who would enrich the diversity of our academic community to apply. Interest in understudied and marginalized populations adds to the current effort in BBH. To learn more about Penn State's commitment to diversity and inclusion see Statements on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for both the BBH Department https://hhd.psu.edu/bbh/about/diversity-statement and the University http://equity.psu.edu/psu-diversity-statement. As an institution, we embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion 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 inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. In HHD, enriching the lives of others is our mission. We believe in the power of human capacity for growth and live that mission by meeting challenges, both big and small, with excitement and energy every day. As a part of this, we enthusiastically support both broad and specific diversity initiatives with varied strategies (including via Penn State's offices for Educational Equity and Affirmative Action and HHD's Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

Penn State offers a resource-rich and inspiring higher learning environment with a significant opportunity to collaborate with researchers in the department and across many other units at the University. Numerous University-wide units, such as the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences (and its many specialized Cores - e.g., Genomics, Metabolomics, Proteomics, and Mass Spectrometry), Center for Molecular Toxicology, Social Science Research Institute, Cancer Institute, Population Research Institute, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Clinical Research Center, Rock Ethics Institute, Institutes of Energy and the Environment (and its many specialized Laboratories), Center for Healthy Aging, and Clinical Translational Science Institute offer intellectual hubs to build interdisciplinary teams and have internal funding opportunities. Other relevant resources include a Biomarker Core Lab (housed within BBH), the Social, Life, and Engineering Imaging Center, the Statistical Consulting Center, the Center for Big Data Analytics and Discovery, and the Penn State College of Medicine (90 min away in Hershey). In addition to salary and a start-up package, Penn State offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, and tuition benefits.

Applications received by January 4, 2023 will be given full consideration, but applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete an online application and upload: 1) a cover letter (3 pages max) that specifically addresses the job requirements and qualifications of the applicant, current and future research interests, teaching philosophy, and a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) three reprints or preprints that convey research interests and expertise, and 4) contact information for four professional references who will be providing letters. We will request reference letters, with a short timeframe for response, for applicants undergoing further consideration. Questions about this position may be directed to the search committee co-chairs, Drs. Christopher Engeland (cge2@psu.edu) and Sue Siegel (srs40@psu.edu).

Located in Centre County, Pennsylvania, employment at Penn State offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the central Pennsylvania outdoors combined with all of the culture, sports, and entertainment available in a large university community. More information on the area and its amenities can be found here: https://happyvalley.com/.



Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Environmental-Neurotoxicity-Tenure-Track-Faculty-Position-in-the-Department-of-Biobehavioral-Health_REQ_0000037407-1

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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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