Chair, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (F63870) - Virginia Commonwealth University

Mission or Goal of Unit: The mission of the Department of Epidemiology – in the VirginiaCommonwealth University (VCU) School of Public Health – is to provide outstandingepidemiology and public health training, conduct innovative research, andengage in impactful service. The Department couples research and public healthservice programs with a strong focus on education and training, offering a fullyaccredited Master of Public Health (MPH) program, dual programs withmedicine (MD), social work (MSW), and pharmacy (PharmD), and a PHD inEpidemiology. In concert with this drive for training excellence, thedepartment aims to maintain continued growth and accomplishments in researchand scholarship in public health and community engagement.

Chief Purpose of this position: TheVCU School of Public Health is seeking candidates for the Department Chairof Epidemiology: a senior-level faculty position with a key leadership role inthe School. The Chair will oversee and direct the Department’s missions,faculty and resources, and will provide leadership across all Departmentalendeavors, including academics and research, as well as collaborations with otherpublic health departments, the Center for Society and Health, and othercommunity partners.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Teaching
The Chair will advance the education and research training missions in the VCU Schoolof Public Health, promoting student success, and facilitating the trainingof the next generation of public health professionals.

Research
The Chair will define and lead the Department’s research strategy by conductingand expanding translational and community engaged research in public health, andwill support principal investigators and public health investigators throughoutthe school in efforts to secure extramural support for research, training andcenter grants. Additionally, they will lead philanthropic activities to supportand expand Departmental research and training initiatives. 

Service
The Chair will provide the vision and leadership to support superior academic andresearch programs, will serve on School and University committees, grant studysections, academic societies, and serve as journal editor and/or on editorialboards. The Chair will set the standard for commitment to the public and servicewithin the community, helping to develop relationships with key community partnersand stakeholders.

Administrative
Financial Management: The Chair will prepare, oversee and implementthe Epidemiology departmental budget that encompasses all funding and cost sources,and ensure compliance with grant, legislative and institutional guidelines. TheChair will effectively manage available resources and minimize unnecessarycosts, promoting and modelling ethically and fiscally responsible best practiceswithin the Department. The Chair will be a highly visible and collaborativeleader in supporting the VCU School of Public Health strategicdirection in partnership with School and University leadership.  

Leadership: The Chair will provide a strong and impassioned visionfor building excellence in the Department. The Chair will prepare for currentand future trends in Epidemiological science and practice, and will helpdevelop a vision for the rigorous research and innovative experiential trainingneeded to create the next generation of public health researchers and professionals.

Relationship Building: The Chair will foster an atmosphere of inclusivity,support, collaboration and innovation in the Department, and will build strongrelationships with other health science researchers across VCU. The Chair willcollaborate with the Virginia Department of Health to build teaching, research andpractice-based relationships. The Chair will also work with the Dean of theSchool of Population Health to encourage philanthropic engagement and support. 

Mentorship: The Chair will mentor both trainees and faculty, will committo and actively participate in the Departmental training mission, and will recruit,hire, develop and retain an outstanding and diverse faculty.

Required Qualifications: 

• Unimpeachable integrity and personal ethics
• Internationally recognized excellence in epidemiological research, education and service, with an extramurally-funded grant portfolio
• Successful administrative and leadership experience at an academic institution (ex: Department or Division Chair, Center or Program Director), especially with respect to building or growing a program, center or department
• Experientiallearning through lived experiences and/or professional service that informworldviews and/or perspectives about minority group status, to include race,age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and disability
• Experience and success mentoring academic faculty, early-stage investigators, and graduate students
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• PhD in Epidemiology or a field relevant to Public Health
• Academic rank of Professor

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Professor
Months: 12
Department:Department of Epidemiology, School of Population Health

Salary: Commensurate

ORP Eligible: Yes

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Carrie Boyd
Contact Email: ccboyd@vcu.edu