Assistant/Associate Professor of Infectious Disease-Epidemiology

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Virginia Tech (VT) invites applications for an academic year, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in the Department of Population Health Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Population Health Sciences offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) with concentrations in Infectious Diseases, Public Health Education, and Environmental Health, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), a 4+1 accelerated program, and several dual-degree programs (MD/MPH, DVM/MPH), collectively graduating over 150 students each year. All degrees are fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Since its inception in 2010, Population Health Sciences (PHS) has had strong partnerships in the region, including with the New River Health District, becoming one of the first Academic Health Departments in the nation. PHS also houses the Center for Public Health Practice and Research and Center for Public Veterinary Medicine. PHS has a strongly community-oriented culture, with abundant and ongoing collaborations throughout the community that include the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), New River Valley Community Services, Appalachian Regional Commission, the Virginia Department of Health, and other regional and state-level partners. In addition, the Virginia Cooperative Extension offers opportunities for additional collaborations and community outreach. The successful candidate is expected to bring or develop an externally funded research program applying epidemiological research methods to infectious disease challenges, complementing the expertise of the faculty within the department and fostering collaborations across the university and with community partners. Existing strengths within PHS include observational and laboratory-based infectious disease research and epidemiology, infectious disease modeling, public health education, and environmental health. Research within PHS also demonstrates a strong focus on community health, particularly in Central Appalachia and across rural settings, and strong applicants should be able to demonstrate how their research program is complementary to these priorities. The candidate is also expected to contribute to the MPH infectious diseases concentration curriculum, teach graduate and undergraduate courses in infectious disease epidemiology and their specific area of expertise, commit to exemplary mentorship of students, and contribute to the Department, College, and University through professional service. The successful candidate will contribute to this curriculum by building on the program’s strengths in One Health, rural health, and public health practice. Candidates should have a demonstrated publication record, funding record, and teaching experience commensurate with stage of career. Assistant Professor applicants must have strong potential for obtaining extramural funding to establish an independent research program. Appointment at the level of Associate Professor requires a record of significant achievements in research, teaching, and service including an independent research program. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment or be eligible to obtain appropriate work authorization. Employment is contingent on a successful background check. Visa sponsorship may be considered on a case-by-case basis. For information on compensation and benefits, please visit Virginia Tech’s Human Resources Services Center. Application Process Interested candidates should submit 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of research, 4) teaching philosophy and experience, and 5) contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin September 15th and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted through the university's online application system. For more information, contact Dr. Andrea Bertke, [email protected].

Requirements

Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Science, Infectious Disease Modeling, etc.)
Demonstrated experience in infectious disease epidemiology, as evidenced by publications, training, or funded projects
Evidence of scholarly productivity with publications in indexed peer-reviewed journals and grant activity, appropriate to career stage
Ability to establish and sustain a vision for an independent, externally funded research program
Demonstrated teaching and mentoring experience at the graduate and undergraduate levels
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively convey complex epidemiological concepts to diverse audiences
Authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment or be eligible to obtain appropriate work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Research program experience that integrates and complements existing programs in the Department of Population Health Sciences, including but not limited to infection prevention, vaccine epidemiology, implementation science, health disparities and social determinants of health, rural health, One Health, outbreak investigations, and antimicrobial stewardship
Demonstrated engagement in interdisciplinary, translational, team-based, and/or community-based research and outreach
Experience developing collaborative partnerships with public health, clinical, veterinary, or community partners
Experience teaching and/or developing graduate-level courses

Responsibilities

Bring or develop an externally funded research program applying epidemiological research methods to infectious disease challenges.
Complement the expertise of the faculty within the department and foster collaborations across the university and with community partners.
Contribute to the MPH infectious diseases concentration curriculum.
Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in infectious disease epidemiology and their specific area of expertise.
Commit to exemplary mentorship of students.
Contribute to the Department, College, and University through professional service.