Open Rank– Clinical/Teaching track and Assistant Director for Community-Engaged Research

Job Summary:

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health (CBH) at the Colorado School of Public Health has a 1.0 FTE opening for the position of Associate Professor or Professor in the Clinical/Teaching track with an additional role as Assistant Director for Community-Engaged Research at the CU Cancer Center.

Under the direction of the CU Cancer Center’s Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement (AD for COE), this position will play a leadership role in in the CU Cancer Center’s programmatic efforts to perform research relevant to the center’s catchment area, the State of Colorado, and to develop strategies for CU Cancer Center investigators to enhance accrual of diverse populations in their research. The Assistant Director will provide forward-thinking leadership to strategically engage key community members and organizations to inform cancer research that is responsive to the needs and concerns of communities in Colorado. They will work closely with the Center’s research programs leaders and members to prioritize, facilitate, and expand the programs’ research to be relevant to the catchment. The Assistant Director will also collaborate with CU Cancer Center’s four research program leaders and members to catalyze basic, clinical, translational, and population science research. They will also co-lead the COE activities to facilitate the accrual to clinical trials of underrepresented populations from the catchment. This position is responsible for directing, developing, and submitting grants and contracts consistent with the mission of the COE and for leading research policy briefs for impact to the catchment. 

Key Responsibilities:

While the position resides within CBH and COE, the Assistant Director for Community-Engaged Research will work closely with the CU Cancer Center Programs in: (1) Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC), (2) Developmental-Therapeutics (DT), (3) Molecular and Cellular Oncology (MCO), and (4) Tumor-Host Interactions (THI); and with Cancer Center’s leadership, members, project teams, and community organizations. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Department of Community and Behavioral Health Faculty: 

• Contribute to the department and school efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
• A public health practice-focused career consistent with the department’s clinical /teaching-track expectations
• Service to the Division, School, Cancer Center, and University through committees and other activities.

Assistant Director for Community-Engaged Research (Leadership and Service):

• Serves as COE’s liaison with the Programs to lead strategic initiatives to promote and support catchment-relevant research by program members.
• Develops, fosters, and facilitates partnerships with primary and specialty care networks, community organizations, healthcare systems, and government agencies to catalyze catchment-relevant research.
• Consultant to investigators to align their research with catchment-area needs and priorities with a focus on reducing cancer disparities.
• Provide teaching, technical assistance, workshops, & facilitation on community-engaged research content, as needed.
• Assists investigators in the writing of COE sections, including describing the cancer burden, risk, and disparities and input from patient advocates and community advisory councils.
• Collaborates with investigators in the execution of research and public health practice projects with catchment-area focus and that include community partners and members from underrepresented populations.
• Co-leads and implements initiatives and consultation on recruitment and retention strategies to improve investigators’ accrual and retention of underrepresented patients in their clinical trials and other research studies.
• Facilitates trainings and works with investigators to communicate their science to lay audiences via community presentations, publications, and social media outlets.
• Works with the Programs’ leaders to communicate catchment area priorities and needs regularly to their research and public health practice program’s members (e.g., via presentations, retreats, briefs).
• Identifies funding opportunities for faculty related to cancer disparities and catchment priorities.
• Trains CU Cancer Center Program leaders and investigators on translating their science into products (e.g., policy briefs, infographics) to share with advocacy groups and legislators, and for public testimony.
• Assists Programs in defining goals, metrics, and mechanisms to meet their COE requirements.
• Assists Program leaders in identifying research (e.g., grants, publications, technical reports) and investigators in their Program that conduct research and public health practice relevant to the catchment for reporting and presentations.
• Leads and contributes to writing and submission of grants and other proposals to support COE initiatives and cancer disparities projects.
• Plans and leads high-quality products, deliverables, and reports to disseminate up-to-date data on cancer burden, risk, and disparities.
• Supports the AD for COE in preparing presentations and reporting of COE initiatives and projects to the External Advisory Board (EAB) and for the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG).
• Develops and assists with COE grants and contracts for extramural funding, resulting in a diverse funding portfolio from a mixture of federal, state, nonprofit organizations and foundations.
• Meets other CCSG requirements under COE’s Aim 2 that support catchment-relevant research.
• Leads the COE’s patient and caregiver advisory committee to Cancer Center’s investigators 

Why Join Us:

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health (CBH) is committed to enhancing diversity amongst faculty and strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. The Department of Community and Behavioral Health has over 60 primary faculty with expertise in behavioral science, cancer prevention and control, community-based participatory research, population mental health, maternal and child health, mixed methods, dissemination and implementation science, among others.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center (CU Cancer Center), headquartered at the CU Anschutz, is Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center , a distinction recognizing its outstanding contributions to research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. The CU Cancer Center’s clinical care sites are the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado are ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report .  The CU Cancer Center is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network ®, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers working to establish and deliver the gold standard in cancer clinical guidelines. The CU Cancer Center is a member of the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network  (ORIEN), a unique research partnership among North America’s top cancer centers leveraging multiple data sources and matching patients to targeted treatments. CU Cancer Center is a consortium  of about 300 researchers and physicians at three state universities and healthcare delivery systems.

The Colorado School of Public Health is a collaborative endeavor involving the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz), Colorado State University (CSU), and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing vital contributions towards ensuring our region’s health and wellbeing. Collaboratively formed in 2008 by CU Denver, CSU and UNC, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues including chronic disease, access to healthcare, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries.

The ColoradoSPH aims to build a diverse and representative academic community that recognizes the importance of social, economic, health, and environmental justice. We strive to promote equity, diversity, and to be a model of inclusive excellence.  As a tri-campus partnership, ColoradoSPH stands with academic, practice, and community partners nationwide to condemn racism, injustice, and inequity. Please click here to learn more about our equity, diversity, and inclusion commitment statement and plan to dismantle structural racism: https://coloradosph.cuanschutz.edu/about-us/diversity-inclusive-excellence .  

Click the following links to learn more about resources and community engagement opportunities at CU Anschutz through the following networks:

• LGBTQ+ Hub: https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/diversity-equity-inclusion-community/cu-anschutz-lgbtq-hub
• Diversity and Health Equity Hub: https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/diversity-equity-inclusion-community/trainings-workshops
• Community Engagement-North Aurora: https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/diversity-equity-inclusion-community/community-engagement
•  The Office of Disability, Access, & Inclusion: https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/office-of-disability-access-and-inclusion . 

Benefits: The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical:  Multiple plan options
• Dental:  Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance:  Disability, Life, Vision and Wellness
• Retirement 401(a) Plan:  Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay.
• Paid Time Off:  Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22
• Sick Days: 15
• Holiday Days: 10
• Tuition Benefit:  System employees have the benefit on all campuses
• ECO Pass:  RTD Bus and light rail service
• Additional Perks & Programs:  Click to access the CU Advantage , including perks and programs for our employees

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.  

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.    A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.    Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.    Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers .

Questions should be directed to: Evelinn Borrayo at [email protected]  

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by February 19, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.  

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

Associate Professor – Clinical Teaching Track $137,000 - 157,000

Professor – Clinical Teaching Track $172,000 - 195,000

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125  

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program . 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:  

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.  

This is an open rank position and could be categorized as Associate Professor or Professor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:  

Associate Professor

• PhD, MD, or comparable doctoral degree in behavioral, social or basic sciences, medicine, public health, health or public administration, or related fields.
• Academic and scholarly accomplishments commensurate with the criteria for appointment at the academic rank of Associate Professor in the Clinical/Teaching track at the University of Colorado, Colorado School of Public Health, that includes:
  • Excellence in one of the following: Public Health Practice/Clinical Activity or Teaching (with evidence of scholarship for Professor rank)
  • Meritorious in two of the following, including the one indicated as Excellent in (A): Leadership and Services, Public Health Practice/Clinical Activity, Teaching, or Research.

• Experience leading community outreach and engagement activities.

Professor

• PhD, MD, or comparable doctoral degree in behavioral, social or basic sciences, medicine, public health, health or public administration, or related ields.
• Academic and scholarly accomplishments commensurate with the criteria for appointment at the academic rank of Professor in the Clinical/Teaching track at the University of Colorado, Colorado School of Public Health, that includes:
  • Excellence in one of the following: Public Health Practice/Clinical Activity or Teaching (with evidence of scholarship for Professor rank)
  • Meritorious in two of the following, including the one indicated as Excellent in (A): Leadership and Services, Public Health Practice/Clinical Activity, Teaching, or Research.
• Experience leading community outreach and engagement activities. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

The following qualifications are desirable at all ranks.

• Independently funded cancer prevention, early-detection, or survivorship projects.
• Track record of externally funded research or public health practice from federal, state, foundation, or other sources.
• Experience recruiting participants from medically underserved populations to participate in research and/or public health practice programs.
• Experience with technology-driven research (e.g., eHealth, mHealth, telehealth technologies), social media, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning.
• Peer-reviewed articles as first, second, or last author (depending on rank). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

To be successful in this position, candidates will need the following:

• Strong leadership and high-level systems strategic thinking.
• Knowledge of and/or ability to assist others in the conduct of community-engaged research.
• Knowledge of population science cancer research and at least one of the following: basic, clinical, or translational research.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and drivers of health equity.
• Knowledge of cultural, language, logistical barriers to accrual, with ideas on how to mitigate.
• Knowledge of federal and university human subjects' research regulations.
• Knowledge of federal, local, and/or foundation grant writing requirements.
• Ability to direct and lead multi-site trials or research studies and work with diverse teams.
• Ability to facilitate community-engaged research aimed at accruing diverse populations to research studies.
• Ability to be culturally responsive and to exercise cultural humility with diverse communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting health equity and/or health justice.