Assistant Professor - Biostatistics & Epidemiology & IALS

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

Job Description

The Epidemiology Program in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology together with the Institute for Applied Life Sciences seek a full-time, state-funded tenure track faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor. Responsibilities will include research, advising students, teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels and departmental, school and university service.

The successful applicant will be a member of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and a part of the Institute of Applied Life Sciences, an interdisciplinary translational catalyst on campus that also manages a diverse array of centralized core equipment facilities (https://www.umass.edu/ials/core-facilities). The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology consists of 24 faculty who conduct collaborative, cutting-edge research in a variety of areas. Faculty are part of the undergraduate public health sciences major, MPH program, and doctoral degree (PhD) in public health in the school.

Candidates will be expected to develop their own research program and engage in collaborative research.  Requirements include demonstrated potential to develop an extramurally funded research program in epidemiology and excellent teaching skills. Successful applicants will be dynamic, collaborative researchers, whose methodological work is inspired by pressing problems in public health and translational science, including other Departments in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and across the University, along with investigators from the University's Medical School, the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, and the Baystate Medical Center.

Preferred research focuses involve broadly the application of epidemiology methods to enhancing translational research related to infectious disease epidemiology, aging, pharmacoepidemiology, neurodegeneration, cancer, nutrition, diabetes, physical activity, genetics, reproductive health. or other related areas. This is a broad faculty search and applicants with research interests in any area of epidemiology will be considered; however, the Department is particularly interested in candidates who can articulate plans for an externally fundable program of research compatible with the unique intellectual and physical resources of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences, such as the use of core facilities and collaboratory spaces. 

 

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Epidemiology or equivalent post-graduate experience in epidemiology must be completed by August 2023
  • Evidence of independent and collaborative translational research potential
  • Demonstrated interest and ability in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level
  • Strong record of peer-reviewed publication given career stage
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

 

Salary/Benefits

The University offers a competitive salary with an attractive benefits package.

 

Additional Information

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 degree and career.

Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology:

The Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology is a highly collaborative group of 24 faculty researchers and lecturers (11 Biostatisticians and 13 Epidemiologists) . The Epidemiology program fosters a unique environment in which practical involvement in transdisciplinary research collaborations enhance learning, and are involved in multiple avenues of research, including community-based research, women’s health issues, physical activity, nutrition, and biomarkers. https://www.umass.edu/public-health-sciences/academics/departments/biostatistics-and-epidemiology

IALS:

The Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) is a model for translational research; it houses 275,000 ft2 of cutting edge facilities that focus on basic and translational aspects of human health. IALS aims to transform life science discoveries into candidate products and services in collaboration with industry to improve human health and well being and extends specific identified research strengths at UMass through its three centers: Center for Bioactive Delivery, Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, and the Models to Medicine Center. https://www.umass.edu/ials/

 

Application Instructions

The application review process will begin October 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. The earliest anticipated start date is September 2024.


Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and contact information for three references electronically through PageUp. Applicants are invited to address inclusion in their research and/or teaching statements.

 

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.