DEPARTMENT CHAIR and PROFESSOR in ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE

The Department of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (www.umass.edu/sphhs/) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is seeking applicants for a tenure-line Full Professor and Department Chair that will provide exceptional leadership for the department. UMass Amherst is a doctoral-granting university with highest research activity (R1) and is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts.

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, 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 Department of Environmental Health Sciences is a dynamic and innovative department that boasts a rapidly growing graduate program offering MS, MPH and PhD degrees. Current areas of faculty research in the Environmental Health Sciences department include environmental exposure assessment, dose-response modeling, developmental toxicology, environmental epigenetics, and endocrine disruptors. In addition to national and international collaborations, public health faculty members collaborate extensively with faculty across the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, other departments on campus, the University's Medical School in Worcester, MA, and Baystate Health in Springfield, MA.

Position Description                                                                         

The Department Chair and Professor will oversee all aspects of EHS academic and administrative operations. In addition to maintaining a strong research program in their chosen area, the Chair will provide departmental leadership and vision that advances excellence in teaching and learning, research and outreach. The Chair represents and advocates for the department at the school, university and community levels. The Chair holds overall responsibility for managing the department, maintaining department budgets, fostering faculty development and a positive department climate, and working with campus and external partners on a variety of initiatives related to the departmental and School of Public Health and Health Sciences strategic goals.

Principle responsibilities will include supporting the teaching, research, and outreach activities of the department’s faculty, and managing the department’s personnel and budget. In addition, the Chair will also teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses in public health and environmental health sciences, advise graduate students enrolled in MS, MPH and PhD programs, contribute to university service, and maintain a scholarly research program. Candidates are expected to have and/or obtain competitive research funding and engage in collaborative research with faculty from the department, the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, other departments on campus, the University's Medical School, and/or Baystate Medical Center.

The Department of Environmental Health Sciences and The School of Public Health & Health Sciences are 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 department is interested in candidates who have the potential to work with, or have their research help, diverse populations. Further, the department 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

• Applicants must have a doctoral degree in environmental health science or a related discipline and accomplishments sufficient to warrant appointment at the rank of full Professor.
• The successful candidate for this position should:
  • Be widely recognized for their contributions in an environmental health-related discipline
  • Show evidence of independent and collaborative research accomplishments
  • Have a demonstrated interest and ability in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels
  • Possess a record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with experience and rank.
  • Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrate leadership ability with experience or potential to manage departmental budget, supervise individuals, mentor faculty and students.
  • Demonstrated commitment to fostering equity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with research specializations that complement ongoing work in the department are preferred (environmental epidemiology, exposure sciences, risk assessment and management, global health, toxicology, environmental justice) although any aspect of environmental health will be considered.
• A strong record of extramural funding (e.g. federal agencies, foundations, or state contracts).
• Preference will be given to individuals with prior experience working in a program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Salary: This position includes a 9-month contract as well as a chair stipend and summer salary.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications. Details on benefits can be found at https://www.umass.edu/humres/benefits-0

Application Instructions:

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants received by December 1. Anticipated start date is September 2022.

Interested candidates should apply online via the UMass careers page and should provide:

1) A cover letter including a statement on the candidate’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,

2) Curriculum vitae,

3) Statement of research expertise and future goals,

4) Statement of teaching philosophy,

5) Diversity statement that discusses past or future contributions to inclusive excellence in the areas of research, teaching, and/or outreach

6) Contact information for three-five professional references (to be contacted only with subsequent permission from the candidate; no letters are needed at the time of application).

For questions about the application process or if you require any accommodation throughout the application process, please contact Ms. Carey Simos - csimos@schoolph.umass.edu

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Additional Information:

The university is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst 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.