Assistant Professor in Developmental Adversity and Health
The Department of Biobehavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Development at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position examining the immediate or long-term biobehavioral consequences of developmental adversity. The ideal candidate will use an interdisciplinary approach that combines expertise in developmental and biological approaches to examine either the biological consequences of developmental adversity and/or biological mechanisms that shape responses to developmental adversity. Development is broadly defined as including the prenatal through adolescent periods. The candidate’s research may focus on any genomic, physiological, neuroscience, or computational biology methodologies in connecting developmental adversity to later well-being. Applicants using either human and/or animal models in their research are invited to apply.
About the College
The College of Health and Human Development (https://hhd.psu.edu/) offers a robust program of eight interdisciplinary programs that share one common goal: enriching the lives of others. We continually examine contemporary issues facing people in today’s changing times, and we develop cutting-edge solutions for addressing them. Our impact extends from our classrooms, across communities and industries, and around the globe.
About the Department/Hiring Unit
The Department of Biobehavioral Health (https://hhd.psu.edu/bbh) is a uniquely multi-faceted program that examines the space where biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and global factors converge to affect health and wellness across the entire human lifespan. We are particularly interested in individuals whose research fits within the department's interdisciplinary focus on integrating biological, environmental, psychosocial, and contextual processes.
The ideal candidate will have the potential to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations within the social, behavioral, or medical/biological sciences. There are multiple centers and institutes which offer intellectual hubs for building interdisciplinary teams and internal funding opportunities that would support the development of interdisciplinary collaborations, including: the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network (https://www.solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/), Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center (https://prevention.psu.edu/), Center for Healthy Aging (https://healthyaging.psu.edu/), Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences(https://www.huck.psu.edu/), Population Research Institute (https://pop.psu.edu/), the Clinical Translational Science Institute (https://ctsi.psu.edu/), and the Social Science Research Institute (https://ssri.psu.edu/). Other relevant resources include a Biomarker Core Lab (https://hhd.psu.edu/bbh/biomarker-core-lab) and the Social, Life, and Engineering Imaging Center (https://www.imaging.psu.edu/).
Primary Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities of this position include establishing a fundable line of interdisciplinary biobehavioral health research, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, supervising and mentoring student researchers, and providing service to the Department, College, and University and to the profession. Applicants must demonstrate excellence in research, a strong publication record appropriate for their stage of career, interest in collaboration across disciplines, commitment to mentoring students, and a track record of or strong potential for external grant funding, with excellent potential to carry forward such research and funding. The individual would be expected to establish a line of interdisciplinary health research with a focus on the biobehavioral consequences of developmental adversity and with clear funding targets.
Qualifications
By the time of hire, candidates must either possess a Ph.D. or terminal degree, or a degree that is equivalent to a Ph.D. or terminal degree in the U.S. Areas of study may include biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, public health, population health, biobehavioral health, psychology or a closely related field, as long as the candidate incorporates biological techniques in their research. Candidates must show promise for excellence in research, teaching, and service at the time of hire.
Diversity Statement
To learn more about Penn State University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion see the University’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (https://www.psu.edu/this-is-penn-state/belonging/). As an institution, we embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engages all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission, and we strongly encourage applicants who would enrich the diversity of our academic community to apply for this opportunity.
Our campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Monongahela, Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations. As a land grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.
Application Instructions
Along with your online application, please upload the following: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your interest in the position, specifically addressing the job requirements and your qualifications; 3) a 2-3 page research statement that includes a detailed conceptualization of developmental adversity as represented in your research, past research accomplishments, and a plan for meeting the research goals of this position; 4) a teaching and mentoring statement discussing your past teaching and mentoring experience and teaching philosophy; 5) a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging statement which addresses how your values and experiences advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your work; 6) three (3) reprints/preprints; 7) contact information for three (3) professional references. Letters of reference will be requested with a short timeframe for response for applicants undergoing further consideration.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Questions related to the position can be addressed to Dr. Hannah Schreier, chair, at BBHchildhoodadversity@psu.edu.
Located in Centre County, Pennsylvania, employment at Penn State offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the central Pennsylvania outdoors combined with all of the culture, sports, and entertainment available in a large university community. More information on the area and all of its amenities can be found here: https://happyvalley.com/.
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 (https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports).
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Apply online at https://apptrkr.com/4806270