Multiple Positions
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
Faculty Positions for Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Wayne State University (WSU), a leading urban research institution in Midtown Detroit that is Carnegie
classified as a doctoral university of highest research activity and community engagement, is launching an exciting multidisciplinary hiring initiative in Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health. The intent of this initiative is to build on our existing strengths in applied research and teaching, engaging a wide range of academic disciplines in health, law, social sciences, arts, humanities, sciences, engineering and education.
As part of this initiative, we will recruit up to six faculty with complementary research and/or curricular interests in the following two focus areas;
1) Race, Ethnicity and Health Equity in Public Health and Community Health
2) Strategies to address Health Equity in Urban Research Settings
First Focus: Public Health and Community Health
Promoting health equity is a guiding priority of public health and community health. Racism is a driving force of the social determinants of health (including housing, education and employment) and is a barrier to health equity. Faculty hires in this focus area will most likely be situated in one of these three separate schools/colleges: Community Health (College of Education), Public Health (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), and Family Medicine (School of Medicine). We are seeking faculty members who will collaborate through a number of interdisciplinary initiatives: (1) Develop core interdisciplinary coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels specifically focusing on race, ethnicity and health equity; (2) unite existing faculty in each unit around a common research agenda of race/ethnicity and health equity, and facilitate large scale WSU research programs capable of garnering significant federal funding, and (3) provide a range of community-and lab-based research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
Second Focus: Addressing Health Equity in Urban Research Settings
Southeast Michigan has the largest population of Michigan residents and the worst health statistics in the state. Thus, there is a pressing need for research-informed approaches to assess the impact of these health care disparities in order to devise innovative approaches designed to promote health equity, reduce disease impact, and improve health outcomes in Detroit. Chronic physical and behavioral health issues often co-occur among those living in urban poverty, but ‘siloed’ systems of care impede best practices associated with integrated care. Using a uniquely interprofessional lens, we are seeking faculty members that will build on existing expertise and collaborations to conduct research that will promote health equity in our urban environment. Specifically, we envision that these faculty will: 1) support the development of new approaches to data and cyber-physical systems, 2) under gird the development of innovative strategies to address the social and economic determinants of health (including the structural racial inequities that contribute to those determinants in the first place) and, 3) test interventions to improve health outcomes in Detroit. Faculty hires in this focus area could be situated in one of the following schools/colleges: College of Nursing, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, School of Social Work or Law School.
We seek candidates who are suitable for appointment as tenure-track or tenured faculty (open
rank). They will be expected to integrate with departments and schools/colleges consistent with their
area of expertise and shared interests, and engage in all aspects of the WSU academic mission including research, education and service. The primary tenure home and possible joint appointments will be determined in department(s) of school(s) or college(s) within WSU, based on the best fit for the candidate.
Responsibilities:
Research, teaching, and service in the social sciences, arts and humanities, law, engineering, education or health in academic units within WSU that are consistent with the norms of the home units, as determined by chair(s) of departments and dean(s) of schools or colleges. Please see https://wayne.edu/about/schools/ for a list of schools and colleges within WSU.
Qualifications:
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution that aligns
with research and curricula in the area of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health. Candidates
must have a record of research or professional attainment, and if applicable, both teaching and service experience that merit appointment as a tenured or tenure track faculty. In addition, they should have: proven ability to work collaboratively with others; commitment to integrating and advancing the university’s core values, mission and vision (please see http://strategicplan.wayne.edu for more information); excellence in scholarship and teaching that bridges disciplines; commitment to working with diverse populations and conversant in multicultural issues; commitment to fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and a history of developing and maintaining consensus and cohesiveness; and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Special Instructions to Candidates:
Qualified candidates for the focus area number 1 (Race, Ethnicity, and Health Equity in Public Health
and Community Health) should submit applications to the Wayne State University Online Hiring
System at https://jobs.wayne.edu referring to posting #044710.
Qualified candidates for the focus area number 2 (Strategies to address Health Equity in Urban Research Settings) should submit applications to the Wayne State University Online Hiring System at
https://jobs.wayne.edu referring to posting #044711.
Review of applicants will commence immediately and continue until positions are filled. For best
consideration, please submit curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, and up to three references by jobs.wayne.edu (with reference to specific posting numbers above). In your research statement, please address how your current work fits with interdisciplinary research in Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health at WSU.
Wayne State University is one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities in the heart of
Detroit. It is nationally recognized as a Carnegie Research Intensive and Community Engaged
University. The university is located in the vibrant cultural center of the city, and an area highlighted
nationally for its growth and development. WSU offers a collegial environment, state-of-the art facilities, and several Institutes and Centers for translational research; a broad range of excellent health-related programming and training for health-related careers; and access to collaborations across universities in southeastern Michigan. Our deep rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity, and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society.
The University is an Affirmative Action Recruiter/Equal Opportunity Employer and qualified candidates
from minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply. A summary of faculty benefits is available at: http://hr.wayne.edu/tcw/benefits/