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Chair and Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) Program in Public Health (PPH), in anticipation of becoming a School of Population and Public Health, would like to announce the search for a Chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (DEB).

As the academic lead of the department, the Chair has authority and responsibility for the delivery of academic programs in accordance with departmental, college, and university strategic plans; hiring and evaluation of department personnel, to include faculty and staff; and budgeting and resource management. This authority is subject to approval by the Dean and the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost. As a member of the College administration, the Chair coordinates departmental activity with the activities of other units in the College and the University, and in collaboration with other members of the administration, assists in the development and implementation of program initiatives. The Chair reports to the Dean, and reappointment is by the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost.

UCI has a vibrant scientific community with outstanding collaborative opportunities. The PPH at UCI is unique amongst the ten campuses within the University of California, having been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The PPH is currently ranked #31 on the U.S. News & World Report 2023 list for public health schools in the nation, and No. 1 in the nation among public universities for "best value," according to Forbes. UCI's PPH has a larger and more diverse undergraduate program than almost any other program in the country, with an explicit focus on addressing health equity in research, teaching, and service at its core. The field of public health remains a critical area of inquiry regarding how to achieve optimum health and wellness across all populations, which requires training a diverse student body at the undergraduate and graduate levels. UCI was one of the first UC campuses to offer accredited undergraduate degrees in public health, a legacy that has grown to be a point of pride for the campus with an enrollment of approximately 1,300 undergraduate students, over 250 MPH/MS students, and over 90 doctoral students. The UCI accredited MPH program has successfully trained approximately 70 students annually for 12 years to support a diverse and experienced public health workforce. The Program in Public Health is currently transitioning to the School of Population & Public Health, and becoming a CEPH accredited school of public health.

The Chair of the DEB will be a Professor-rank, Senate Faculty member, leading a growing department of eleven senate faculty in addition to adjunct and affiliated faculty members. The Chair will work closely with Chairs of the other three departments within the program: the departments of Environmental Health Sciences; Health, Society & Behavior; and Population Health & Disease Prevention, as well as other faculty in the College of Health Sciences, and faculty from across the UCI campus.

The Chair is responsible for coordinating curriculum, overseeing the department budget, working closely with doctoral directors on funding for students, working with the department administrator on the merit and promotion academic review process; completing the annual departmental progress report, ensuring departmental contribution toward CEPH re-accreditation, and working with the Dean and Dean's Leadership team on new initiatives, development of strategic programming, and student programming. The Chair is the leading researcher in their area of expertise in epidemiology or biostatistics with a well-established extramural grant research portfolio, and will lead faculty through professional development opportunities and training to further enhance the department research portfolio and graduate programs. The Chair will lead the department in recruitment of new Senate faculty, without-salary appointments, lecturer appointments, split-appointments, post-doctoral students, and for ensuring equity in all components, including faculty and staff hiring and retention, curriculum, and student development.

Essential qualifications include:

• PhD or DrPH, or equivalent, with documented performance in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service. Must meet the University's requirements for appointment at the rank of full professor
• Strong record of research accomplishments and scholarly activity in epidemiology and/or biostatistics, evidenced by high quality peer reviewed publications and a stellar record of extramural grant research support
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and faculty participation
• Proven leadership skills and vision for enhancing the academic components of a multi-disciplinary department
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with a proven track record of promoting a diverse and inclusive culture
• Evidence of successful teaching in higher education
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with a variety of individuals from varying backgrounds while working collaboratively with colleagues to accomplish department and program goals
• Prior experience in the administration of programs in higher education, including strategic planning, budgeting, and operations.
  
• Familiarity with accreditation requirements generally and specifically those that apply to the Council on Education for Public Health

Application procedure:
To apply, please log onto UC Irvine's recruitment site:
https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07829

Applicants should complete an online application and upload the following application materials electronically to be considered for this position:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Statement of Current and Future Research Plans
4. Statement of Teaching - see our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement - https://ap.uci.edu/faculty/guidance/teachstatement/
5. Statement of Contributions to Inclusive Excellence - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion. Guidance can be found here - https://ap.uci.edu/faculty/guidance/ieactivities/
6. Contact information to request 3-5 reference letters

Institutional Reference Check:
The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence; where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. In support of this commitment, and as a means to address all forms of academic misconduct, UC Irvine will conduct an institutional reference check on recruitment finalists of Senate Ladder-Rank Professor and Professor of Teaching series, at all ranks (i.e. assistant, associate, and full) prior to extending a formal offer of appointment. Applications submitted via AP Recruit must include a signed copy of the Authorization to Release Information Form for consideration.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being up-to-date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.