Job no: 516377
Position type: Faculty Full Time
Benefit Status: Benefited-Union
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Department of Public Health
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience
Applications Open: Oct 19 2022
Applications Close: Open until filled

General Summary of Position:

The Department of Public Health, located in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, is committed to academic excellence and diversity among the faculty, staff, and students and seeks full-time tenure-track faculty member with expertise in public health and health services research. Along with leading research, all faculty are expected to teach and engage in service to the Department and College.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell and its Department of Public Health is one of ten sites nationally to have received a 4-year PHIT award from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to expand training, certification and degree programs in public health informatics and data science at minority serving institutions (see https://www.healthit.gov/topic/onc-funding-opportunities/public-health-informatics-technology-phit-workforce-development). Applications are sought from candidates able to support this initiative through scholarship and teaching.

Excellence in research is critical. The areas of research interest are flexible but ideally will focus on activities to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through the application of health informatics and technology. Examples include integrating novel health technologies and practices such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, mobile health applications, telehealth services, and health information exchange (HIE) services into health care systems. Research may build on existing methodological strengths in areas such as epidemiology and use of big data, dissemination and implementation, machine learning and natural language processing. Opportunities to collaborate with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service are possible.

The successful candidate will be appointed at the assistant professor level. Generally, for consideration for appointment as an Assistant Professor, candidates will have additional research experience or training such as completion of a post-doctoral fellowship.

The successful candidate will be engaged in the teaching of undergraduate and/or graduate students. Previous experience in teaching is highly desirable. As the preeminent research and academic institution within the greater Merrimack Valley, the University of Massachusetts Lowell and its Department of Public Health are also invested in service to improve the health of our communities. We seek applicants recognized for teaching excellence, scholarly productivity, ability to work with diverse populations, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Emphasis will be placed on individuals with experience working in interdisciplinary teams.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell, located about 25 miles northwest of Boston in the high-tech corridor of Massachusetts, is a public research university. UMass Lowell has experienced dramatic growth in research funding, total endowments, and student enrollment over the past eight years. It is a Carnegie Classification Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity and conducts more than $84 million in sponsored research annually.

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences is dynamic, rapidly expanding, and prepares professionals and scientists in a wide range of health science fields including applied, clinical and translational areas. The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences offers baccalaureate, masters and doctoral programs in several health-related disciplines including pharmaceutical sciences, public health, physical therapy, biomedical sciences, nutrition and exercise science. A large research program and vibrant community partnerships and engagement opportunities enrich and support our educational programs. The successful candidates will collaborate with other college faculty, with community partners, and with external academic colleagues.

UMass Lowell is situated in the heart of New England on the banks of the Merrimack River, a beautiful and culturally diverse area and birthplace of America’s industrial revolution. Cotton mills in Lowell, the only city to be awarded national park status by the U.S. National Park Service, opened in 1814 and the city has been a hub of invention and innovation ever since. UML continues that legacy of innovation throughout the campus. Its location 25 miles north of Boston offer unsurpassed enrichment of every type including fine arts, dining, historical sites, and of course sports! Just north of Lowell the grandeur of New Hampshire’s White mountains unfolds not far from the storied ski lodges of Vermont. All told, Lowell is a jewel of a city in one of the most attractive regions in the country to live.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to promoting an inclusive environment and to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations. We seek candidates who can contribute to that goal. We encourage individuals from underrepresented populations to apply and would be pleased to have applicants identify strengths in these areas.
We invite you to visit our college website and meet our faculty, staff, and students and see our new facilities in the health areas: https://www.uml.edu/health-sciences/. Should you have questions about the position, please feel free to contact the Department Chair, Dr. Dan Berlowitz at dan_berlowitz@uml.edu; you will find the faculty profile along with specific information about the Department of Public Health here: https://www.uml.edu/Health-Sciences/Public-Health/.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• A doctoral degree in public health or other related health sciences field
• An understanding and appreciation of public health research and education is important
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups on and off campus
• Strong record of research and publication
• Assistant professor candidates must have a vibrant research program with current funding or a strong likelihood of funding and scholarly dissemination, post-doctoral or post-graduate research experience highly desirable

Additional Considerations:

• Discipline-specific teaching experience preferred
• Experience in fostering interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Review of applications will begin on November 1st and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• Cover letter to include information about your past academic experience and highlight the ways you would be able to contribute to the department, college and university
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching statement/philosophy which provides details of previous teaching experience
• Research statement including research goals, past research accomplishments and a 3-year research plan
• Two-three samples of published work in peer-reviewed journals in the area of funding/funding potential, preferably as first author and in high impact journals (upload publications (2-3) as one file)
• Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process. References will contacted after the initial search committee interview. At least one reference should be/have been a supervisor.