Job Details

Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate - Epidemiology and Biostatistics

School of Public Health

University of Illinois Chicago

Description:

The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Epi-Bio) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health (SPH) enthusiastically invites applicants for a Bridge to Faculty (B2F) Postdoctoral Research Associate position. Successful applicants will be outstanding scholars from diverse backgrounds who desire a career in academic public health focusing on environmental health and whose work aligns with our divisional focus on environmental epidemiology, biostatistics, the interface of the two, and environmental justice.

The B2F Program (diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty) is a university level initiative designed to increase faculty diversity at UIC by recruiting and retaining scholars from groups that have been historically underrepresented in their departments or fields. Subject to satisfactory performance and University approval, the successful candidate may be re-appointed for one additional year as a postdoctoral scholar. Successful postdocs in the B2F program may have the opportunity to transition to tenure-track faculty at UIC starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The position is full-time and benefits eligible. The selected scholar will be involved in a robust mentoring program within UIC-SPH and will participate in a cohort-based mentoring experience through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with other B2F Scholars. The Scholar will have access to institutional and departmental resources specifically designed to support readiness for an Assistant Professor position. These include guidance from primary and secondary research mentors, access to workshops and seminars that foster research and teaching excellence, assistance with grant applications from UIC-SPH Office of Research Services, and peer mentoring and support through formal and informal interactions with other B2F Scholars. Additionally, our P30 Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Center, the Chicago Center for Health and the EnvironmenT (CACHET), offers career development resources for early-stage investigators including individualized mentoring programs, pilot grant awards, and networking and EHS skills development opportunities.

Duties:

The primary expectations for the Postdoctoral Scholar will be to establish a robust program of research and participate in the intellectual life of the Division. The individual will have no service expectations during the two years in the program and teaching will be limited to 4 lectures annually and participation in group mentoring of graduate students. These protections are provided to ensure that the individual can establish a strong research program to launch a successful tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor.

About UIC, SPH, and the Epi-Bio Division:

Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the United States, UIC is Chicago's largest university and its only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, and it is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The University's institutional commitment and support for diverse student populations has been recognized nationally, including being a multi-year winner of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. UIC is also among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, designated as a Carnegie RU/VH research institution. During fiscal year 2023, UIC received $509 million in research funding, with approximately three-quarters coming from federal sources.

UIC SPH is the only public health school in Illinois that is fully accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH), and it offers numerous degree programs including Bachelor of Arts/Science in Public Health (BA/BS), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS), MS in Clinical and Translational Science (MS-CTS), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), along with certificate programs, MPH joint/dual degree programs, and MD/MS-CTS and MD/PhD dual degree programs. UIC SPH consistently ranks among the top 20 public health programs in the nation (ranked 17th nationally in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report). UIC SPH is one of 16 colleges at UIC, and part of the 7-college health sciences campus. UIC SPH received the second most research funding of all UIC colleges, with $54 million in funding for fiscal year 2023. Nearly $38.9 million of that funding came from federal sources, primarily the National Institutes of Health. For more than 50 years, UIC SPH has prepared public health practitioners, researchers, academic faculty, policymakers, and activists whose work positively affects health and well-being in communities that are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and religion.

The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Epi-Bio) has 23 core faculty members involved in cutting edge research in epidemiology, biostatistical methodologies and scientific investigation in diverse areas of public health, biomedicine, and health sciences. The Division offers MPH, MS and PhD programs in Epidemiology, and MPH, MS and PhD programs in Biostatistics. The Division has ties with various units in the College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Population Health Science program, the Institute for Minority Health Research, the Institute of Health Research Policy, and other research groups across campus. The Biostatistics and Epidemiology faculty of the division are strongly partnered and jointly involved in numerous projects such as CACHET and the NIEHS PRIME program. We are interested in candidates who will strengthen this interface.

The Epidemiology and Biostatistics division embraces diversity and inclusion across multiple dimensions consistent with the UIC SPH mission and values. We actively seek applicants to this position who will enrich and contribute to the diversity of our Division and help us expand the perspectives and experiences we bring to our work.

A major focus of our Division has been the integration of epidemiologic research with community-based interventions. Environmental Justice is central to CACHET and has served as the basis for past and currently funded initiatives. We believe that community residents are best suited to identify areas of concern, and assist in the development of studies addressing these concerns, interpretation of the findings and implementation of resulting policy change. Our collaborations developed over decades extend throughout Chicago, as well as to neighboring communities in Illinois and surrounding states. Recipients of the B2F fellowship will have ample opportunity to participate in these projects as well as assistance in developing their own research programs.

See oae.uic.edu/resources/diversity-resources for more about Diversity at UIC.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have completed PhD or equivalent in epidemiology or related areas with an environmental health focus within the past 5 years no earlier than August 15, 2019, and no later than August 15, 2024.

Application Instructions:

Apply online at uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/7698?c=uic

For fullest consideration, please apply by January 15, 2024. A completed on-line application and the following attachments are required for consideration:

1. A cover letter addressing interest in the Bridge to Faculty Program. UIC is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applicant's cover letter must explain how they will further this goal. The letter also should address the applicant's research interests as well as interest in teaching, mentorship, and service within and outside of UIC.
2. A curriculum vitae (CV).
3. A recent, scholarly writing sample (e.g., dissertation chapter, published peer-reviewed article on which you are the sole or primary author).
4. Three reference letters (letters may be uploaded as attachments to your application or may be emailed to Maricarmen Lopez (lopez62@uic.edu)).

For specific questions about the application process, please contact Epi-Bio HR Associate, Maricarmen Lopez (lopez62@uic.edu). For questions about the B2F program and the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Mary Turyk (mturyk1@uic.edu).

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of Illinois conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899.