Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Nutrition & Health Equity

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University seeks applications for one tenure-eligible position in the area of Nutrition & Health Equity. The hire will be co-funded by Penn State’s Department of Nutritional Sciences (http://nutrition.hhd.psu.edu ) and the Penn State Social Sciences Research Institute (SSRI) (https://ssri.psu.edu/ ) and is part of a cluster hire of faculty members in different units across Penn State who will add to an existing campus cluster. The goal of this cluster is to recruit and bring together new faculty that fosters collaborations among social and behavioral scientists, and others, with the focus of understanding and improving both individual and population level health equity. Individuals who participate in interdisciplinary and translational research programs, particularly with interest in community-engaged research, implementation science, and/or policy research, who are committed to work that equitably improves the nutrition well-being of people are especially encouraged to apply. The tenure home will be in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The position comes with a competitive start-up package and salary based on 36-weeks of service annually, which can be supplemented with additional salary up to a total of 48 weeks from external competitive grants and contracts and/or from endowment funds.

Certain populations across contexts (e.g., rural and urban) are at increased vulnerability to social determinants of health and adverse nutrition-related health outcomes. Modifiable factors in the ecology, particularly those factors related to social and structural determinants of health, have population-level impacts on the ability to maintain a healthful diet. The candidate selected for this position will contribute to understanding and influencing the impact of income and other social determinants of health on food, nutrition, hunger, and diet related disease.

This position will complement the research of existing faculty within the Department, SSRI, and across the University, which includes research related to prevention of cardiovascular disease; ingestive and eating behaviors; mechanisms of obesity; studies of diet, physical activity and disease prevention; maternal child health including pregnancy, lactation and child nutrition; rural nutrition; research on genetic models of inflammation; epidemiology, and global health nutrition.

Teaching and service expectations will be appropriate to Penn State’s mission as a Land Grant university. The successful applicant’s research may span the translational research spectrum from preclinical to population-based work. 

Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate, through prior actions and achievements, intentional and actioned commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Examples of such contributions are research or creative activity focused on empowering underserved populations; teaching, mentorship, and service that increases equitable access; and inclusion in fields where historically excluded populations are underrepresented.

Position Requirements for a successful candidate will:

• Have earned a doctoral degree in nutrition, public health, psychology, social work, public policy, or closely related field (PhD, MD and/or equivalent)
• Demonstrate a record of creative research accomplishments
• Maintain an innovative and successful research program
• Demonstrate excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and mentoring students appropriate for rank.
• Either have demonstrated a commitment to building an inclusive, equitable, and diverse campus community, or describe one or more ways they would envision doing so, given the opportunity.
• Conduct research that is synergistic with core areas of the strategic plans of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, SSRI, the College of Health and Human Development, and Penn State overall, of which Enhancing Health is one of five thematic priorities (http://strategicplan.psu.edu/thematic-priorities/ ).

Candidates for Assistant Professor must have demonstrated ability as a scholar and researcher in a field relevant to the Department of Nutritional Sciences and have shown evidence of scholarly or professional achievement. Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate’s qualifications. 

Candidates for Associate Professor must have demonstrated excellence as a scholar and researcher in a field relevant to the Department of Nutritional Sciences and have an established reputation in scholarly or professional achievement. Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate’s qualifications.

Candidates for Professor must have demonstrated excellence as a scholar and researcher in a field relevant to the Department of Nutritional Sciences and have evidence of a substantial record of advanced research as well as leadership in their field of specialization. Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, based on the candidate’s qualifications.

About the Department of Nutritional Sciences

The National Research Council ranked Penn State’s Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences among the nation’s best. More information is available at: (http://nutrition.hhd.psu.edu/). The Department has 26 full-time faculty. Current student enrollments are approximately 250 undergraduate students, 44 Master’s students, and 26 PhD students. The Department provides a supportive, collaborative environment that facilitates and encourages interdisciplinary translational research. Collaborative opportunities abound in the Department of Nutritional Sciences; in other departments in the College of Health and Human Development; in other Penn State Colleges (e.g., Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences); and in Centers and Institutes across campus, including but not limited to the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, the Social Sciences Research Institute, Penn State Clinical and Translational Institute (CTSI), Penn State Cancer Institute, and Cooperative Extension. Faculty within the department have a high success rate of extramural funding. The Department is invested in the success of the faculty, staff, and students, and has developed a mentoring program for faculty.

The Department of Nutritional Sciences is located within the College of Health and Human Development (HHD) at University Park. HHD enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduates and 350 full-time graduate students. The College includes eight academic units and several research centers and service units, including the Center for Childhood Obesity Researc h. For more information about HHD, visit: www.hhdev.psu.edu .

About the Social Sciences Research Institute

This faculty position will be co-funded by Penn State’s Social Sciences Research Institute (SSRI), whose mission is to foster research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national, and international levels. SSRI has five strategic foci: 1) the causes and consequences of inequality, 2) human development and behavior, 3) the social and environmental determinants of health, 4) innovative and data intensive research methods, and 5) individual and community impact. SSRI supports interdisciplinary research by bringing together researchers across the university around emerging areas, and by providing consultation, seed grants and faculty fellowships, and core resources tailored to the needs of social and behavioral scientists. Colleagues with strong interdisciplinary and/or translational orientations are particularly desired.

This position is located at the University Park campus of Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania, a picturesque locale in the heart of the Commonwealth known as Happy Valley. As a vibrant college town, State College hosts year-round festivals and activities and is near countless miles of hiking trails and state parks. State College is not only centrally located in Pennsylvania, but also the Mid-Atlantic region. Major metropolitan areas including Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg are just a short drive away.

Application & Inquiries

To apply, interested candidates should complete an on-line application (WEBSITE) and upload:

Cover letter; Personal statement addressing interests and vision (future goals and plans) in a) research and b) teaching; A diversity statement; A curriculum vitae along with names, titles, and complete contact information for three professional references who may be contacted; and, Three peer-reviewed manuscripts illustrating the applicant’s contribution to the scientific literature

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence 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 inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. 

Please address materials to the Assistant/Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences (Open) Search Committee and direct questions or informal inquiries to the search committee chair, Professor Jennifer Savage Williams ([email protected]) .  Please indicate " Nutrition and health equity Nutrition Position" in the subject line of email correspondence and cc: the message to Julie Brenneman ([email protected] ). 
 

Review of applications will begin January 1, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Salary is competitive, and commensurate with background and experience. An attractive benefits package is available.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

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