Professor and Chair, Epidemiology

Position Overview

School / Campus / College: School of Public Health

Organization: School of Public Health

Title: Professor and Chair, Epidemiology

Position Details

Position Description

The Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington (UW) invites applications from transformational leaders to become its new Department Chair and Professor with Tenure. The Chair will support the Department’s mission of providing rigorous training in the fundamentals and practice of epidemiology and improving public health through excellence in research and public health practice. We are seeking a Chair with the background and passion to build upon our strengths, and the vision to lead a department where our work informs, advocates for, and promotes concrete action to improve public health. The Chair of the UW Department of Epidemiology will lead a group of talented and committed faculty, staff, and students of diverse backgrounds. The Chair will work to prepare future public health professionals and researchers who will conduct the unfinished work of improving the well-being of communities in the United States and throughout the world.

At the UW Department of Epidemiology, we envision epidemiology for the 21^st century as a discipline that is rooted in descriptive and etiologic research and encompasses the development, implementation, assessment, dissemination, and translation of equity-centered, population-level, and community-led interventions and practices seeking to improve health and well-being. We use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches that transcend geographical and digital boundaries. Our Department has a rich history of traditional epidemiologic research and is home to innovative faculty who are on the cutting-edge of broadening the reach of our science. Over the last five years, faculty in the Department submitted an average of ~125 grant proposals and brought in an average of over $20M in grant awards each year.  Through our educational offerings and graduate degree programs, the Department provides world-class training to future leaders in the evolving field of epidemiology. Through our commitment to service, the Department collaborates with governmental health agencies, community organizations, and non-profit partners to conduct collaborative research, provide technical assistance, and support public health outreach. Though large and diverse in the scope of our work, the Department is unified by a commitment to building an inclusive academic community, and by core values of equity, impact, and innovation (as reflected in our most recent Strategic Plan). 

The University of Washington offers one of the most exceptional teaching and research environments in the United States. It is the home of the Population Health Initiative, a university-wide effort defined by three major pillars of human health, environmental resilience, and social and economic equity that aims to advance the health and well-being of people around the world. Seattle is a dynamic and diverse cultural metropolis that is home to global trade, technological advancement, and a thriving nonprofit community. Seattle offers a quality of life that is among the best in the country, with beautiful lakes and parks, great walkability, transit and biking infrastructure, a lively music and cultural scene, and the unparalleled natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The Department of Epidemiology is situated on the top floor of the new modern and state-of-the-art Population Health Building, the Hans Rosling Center, and includes a rooftop deck and sweeping views of Lake Union, Mt. Rainier, the Space Needle, and the surrounding area.  

This is a full-time (100% FTE), tenured, 12-month service period position at the rank of Professor, with an anticipated start date of Fall 2024.  The base salary range for this position will be $14,000-$29,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S.Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include a lump sum moving allowance and/or a relocation incentive, and an administrative supplement (ADS) of $25,000 per year for serving as Department Chair.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism

The work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is at the core of Public Health. The UW Department of Epidemiology and the School of Public Health are committed to a future that is free of health inequities, that promotes the highest level of wellness for the communities we serve, and a diverse and inclusive public health workforce that embodies humility, respect, leadership and service on behalf of, and with, the diverse communities we are privileged to serve. For more information, please see: https://sph.washington.edu/about/diversity, and Strategic Plan 2022–2025 | Department of Epidemiology (washington.edu)

The UW and the SPH have developed specific programs to support new faculty, with an eye towards engaging faculty around equity, diversity, and inclusion in research, teaching, and service. Our faculty development offerings are listed here.

Qualifications

Candidates must have experience in academic leadership. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree (or foreign equivalent) in a field relevant to epidemiology.

Positive factors the search committee will be considering include:

1. Ability to lead a team or organization toward a common and clearly articulated vision using skills in respectful listening and consensus building.
2. Articulation of a strong vision for the field of epidemiology and for the UW Department of Epidemiology
3. Proven track record fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment with preference towards leadership in anti-racism efforts.
4. Demonstrated success in career development and mentorship of faculty, staff, and students.
5. Advocacy for community engagement to improve population health, strengthen research collaborations, and create meaningful learning opportunities for diverse students and/or other learners.
6. Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels—including administration, faculty, staff, and students— to obtain, manage, and sustain necessary resources to meet team or organizational goals and objectives.
7. Dedication to high quality education and curricular/training programs
8. Demonstrated expertise and commitment to fostering impactful public health practice and advocacy.
9. Dedication to producing impactful, high-quality research.

Instructions

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge. Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants who submit their materials by January 1, 2024 are guaranteed full consideration. Applications received after that date will be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee until the position is filled or the search is closed.

 As part of the initial application stage, please submit:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter: The cover letter should describe your interest in this position as well as research, teaching, service, and mentorship experience (no more than 5 pages)
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Statement: Discuss what values you bring or believe are pertinent to work contributing to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism — and how they could inform and align with the work you envision to prioritize in the department/SPH. Include a specific description of experience(s) developing or leading initiatives or programming applying diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as the outcomes of that work.  (2-5 pages).
• Leadership Statement: Describe your experience and approach to leadership in the academic, practice-based, local and federal government, philanthropy, healthcare systems or other settings. The statement should consider positive factors listed above (2-5 pages).
• Four References (contact information only, no formal letters requested at time of initial application)

Search Manager Contact Information

For questions, please contact Charlotte Hentges, HR Manager at johnsc94@uw.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.