Assistant Professor - Health Disparities and Inequities

The Department of Health Services at the University of Washington seeks to fill one full-time faculty position with a focus on Health Disparities and Inequities as an Assistant Professor (WOT*) on a 12 month service period, with an anticipated start date in fall 2018. 

We are looking for individuals with a PhD degree or equivalent terminal degree in public health or a related discipline, including but not limited to health services, health behavior, health policy, demography, economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, social work, social epidemiology, geography, gender studies, ethnic studies and cultural studies.  We are especially interested in candidates with experience in health care disparities, social determinants of health, health informatics, implementation science, or health policy.

Faculty members in our department are expected to: (a) conduct an independent research program that complements department, School, and University research initiatives and programs, (b) participate in collaborative research programs as appropriate to his/her interests, (c) teach in the department's educational programs, and (d) mentor undergraduate, Masters and PhD students.

Applicants for this position should have research interests focused on populations in the United States whose health status is impacted by social and structural inequities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, immigrant populations, people with lower socioeconomic status, rural communities, and sexual or gender minorities.  More specifically, we are interested in candidates with the following skills:

• Strong methodologic skills, including quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods research approaches.
• Experience working in collaborative interdisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to establish and maintain research ties to underserved communities.
• Potential to generate external funding for research over time.
• Experience in teaching, mentoring, and diversity and equity issues in higher education. This includes the ability or potential to involve undergraduate and graduate students in faculty-directed research and/or mentor diverse undergraduate and graduate students in independent research.

Environment

The Department of Health Services is a diverse department (60 faculty and 280 adjunct, affiliate and clinical faculty) with faculty expertise in social science, health promotion, social determinants of health, health economics, and health care systems.  Successful candidates will have to opportunity to be affiliated with several centers within the department, including the Latino Center for Health, Health Promotion Research Center, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice and the Center for Health Innovation and Policy Science [imbed links to websites].  The President of the University of Washington has recently launched the Population Health Initiative, which aims to bring faculty from across the University together to address challenges in human health, social and economic equity and environmental resilience.

In addition to collaboration opportunities at the UW, there are opportunities for collaboration with other Seattle area resources (Seattle Children's Hospital, a national Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation at the VA, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center website and the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute). Depending on the interests and qualifications of the successful candidate, a joint or adjunct appointment may be considered with other UW departments or affiliate institutions. Lastly, the Pacific Northwest region is home to large Latino, American Indian, immigrant, and sexual minority communities, and many of our faculty have longstanding partnerships with organizations working in these communities.

Seattle, often cited as one of the country’s most livable and literate cities, is culturally rich, with growing racial, ethnic, and immigrant communities.  The Cascade and Olympic Mountains offer a picturesque setting, and, along with Puget Sound beaches and waterways, Seattle boasts innumerable recreational opportunities. The temperate climate allows for year-round outdoor activities.  Headquartered in Seattle are world-class companies such as Amazon, Costco, Expedia, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nordstrom, REI, Starbucks, and T-Mobile, among others.  Not surprisingly, Seattle is considered one of the most desirable cities to live in the western hemisphere.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Department of Health Services, and UW School of Public Health are committed to a diverse academic community. We view diversity, equity and inclusion as essential to our mission, and we welcome applications from faculty who have demonstrated research, training and service experience in this area.  For more information, please see the following website: http://www.washington.edu/diversity

Additionally, the University of Washington is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. University of Washington faculty members engage in teaching, research and service. This position is contingent on available funding.

*WOT denotes positions that do not confer tenure automatically upon appointment to the faculty. WOT faculty members have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as tenure-track and tenured faculty members at those ranks. Such a faculty member holds his or her appointment on a continuing basis. WOT faculty are eligible for consideration of tenure contingent upon meeting the Department’s criteria for tenure, as well as the availability of resources. Tenure in the department is at 50% for a 12 month position.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• A letter of interest describing your research interests and teaching experience
• A diversity statement that describes your experience related to diversity, inclusion and equity, as well as your potential to contribute to our diversity mission and commitment to being an anti-racist institution
• Curriculum Vitae
• Four references or four letters of recommendation

Review of applications will begin March 31, 2018. The position is open until filled.

Send application materials via email to:

Holly Bergstrom, Manager of Faculty Human Resources – hb2@uw.edu

Department of Health Services, University of Washington