Assistant Professor in Nutrition
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Job no: 510951
Work type: Faculty Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Nutrition
Union: MSP
Categories: Faculty, School of Public Health & Health Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH & HEALTH SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

The Department of Nutrition in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst invites applications for a full-time, academic-year (nine-month), tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

About the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
UMass Amherst is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, is a doctoral-granting university with the highest research activity (R1) and is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. The University is part of the Five Colleges consortium (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual capacity of the region. It sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting and is in proximity to Boston and New York City.

About the Department of Nutrition

The Department of Nutrition within the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) applies nutritional science in the delivery of research innovation, teaching excellence, and outreach. SPHHS is accredited by the Council of Education for Schools of Public Health and consists of six academic departments: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Communications Disorders, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Promotion & Policy, Kinesiology, and Nutrition. Research areas in the department currently encompass lab-based, community-engaged, and translational research. We offer both in-person (MS, PhD) and online (MS and MPH) degrees, as well as an undergraduate program (BS) which includes an accredited Dietetics Track. The department also has a competitive Dietetic Internship Program. The department is home to the research-based Nutrition Education Program (NEP), which provides nutrition education to communities throughout Massachusetts. Faculty have active collaborations with other SPHHS departments and across the University. The department is affiliated with the state-of-the-art UMass Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) that supports a diverse and growing team of innovators, inventors, clinical researchers, engineers, and basic scientists.

Job Description

The Department of Nutrition seeks candidates for a fully state-funded, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level starting September, 2022. The successful candidate will provide leadership in the advancement of nutrition research and education and have disciplinary expertise at the intersection of nutrition and dietary intervention with microbiome; nutritional genomics and epigenomics; or systems science and data science related to healthy aging and chronic diseases. Translational research, clinical research, and community-engaged research addressing vulnerable populations is desirable. This appointment provides an outstanding opportunity for research and teaching collaboration across a broad range of disciplines.

The Department of Nutrition 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

• Terminal degree (PhD, ScD, DrPH) in Nutritional Sciences or related discipline.
• Demonstrated potential for obtaining independent external research funding and/or prior history of successful external research funding.
• Strong record of peer reviewed publications commensurate with experience.
• Strong interest in teaching/advising, with commitment to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, teaching students with diverse learning styles, backgrounds and intellectual interests, and advising/mentoring graduate students
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-doctoral research experience preferred.
• Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) credential preferred, but not required.

Additional Information

Prospective Faculty Information: https://www.umass.edu/prospective-faculty/

Rank: Assistant Professor, full time tenure-track nine-month appointment. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

Salary/Benefits: The University offers a competitive salary with an attractive benefits package. Details can be found at https://www.umass.edu/humres/benefits-0. This position is in the MSP/MTA bargaining unit.

Deadline: Review of applications will begin January 14, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2022

Application Instructions:

Applications should include 1) a cover letter; curriculum vitae; 2) a statement covering research interests, teaching philosophy and contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion; and 3) contact information for three professional references. Please submit materials online through PageUp.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Zhenhua Liu (Email: zliu@nutrition.umass.edu, Phone: 413-545-1075).

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 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.

Advertised: Nov 5 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: