INTRODUCTION

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut invites applications for six Assistant Professor (tenure-track) positions as part of a cluster hire in the area of Social Aspects of Ethnic and Racial Health Disparities. There will be one position in each of the following departments: Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Geography, Human Development and Family Sciences, and Sociology. Examples of areas of specialization may include but are not limited to urban-related scholarship, community-engaged research, evidence-based policymaking/strategies, critical analyses of the causes and effects of health disparities, anti-racist approaches to addressing health disparities, human-environment interactions, and/or intersectionalities (e.g., with social class, age, gender identity, immigration status, sexual orientation, disability). This hire demonstrates UConn's and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and builds on the College's existing strengths in health disparities scholarship.

Faculty hired as part of the cluster will have opportunities to collaborate within and across departments in the cluster, as well as opportunities for connections to other research-intensive centers and institutes across the University, including the Health Disparities Institute, the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), the Human Rights Institute, and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The College is also home to a vibrant collective of Institutes and Programs engaged in anti-racism scholarship, area studies, and intersectional struggles against oppression, including Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, El Instituto, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

This hiring initiative builds on the investment of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in research, teaching, and outreach focused on health disparities, including an earlier cluster hire that brought several exciting scholars to UConn. The University of Connecticut is ranked the best public university in New England and among the top 25 public universities in the U.S.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state's flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The successful candidates will exhibit a genuine, demonstrated interest in scholarship on Social Aspects of Ethnic and Racial Health Disparities. Candidates are expected to contribute to research and scholarship through high-quality publications in top-tier venues, externally funded research, and mentoring of graduate students. In the area of teaching, the successful candidate will share a deep commitment to effective instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful candidates will highlight a commitment to equity and be expected to: broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through their research, teaching, and/or public engagement multiple perspectives as the foundation of a rich learning experience; integrate diverse experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and/or provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse populations and intellectual interests.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Doctoral degree (or equivalent foreign degree) completed in anthropology, communication, economics, geography, human development and family sciences, sociology, or another relevant discipline by position start date.
• Teaching experience or demonstrated capacity to teach courses with documentation of a commitment to teaching.
• A strong record of scholarly productivity in the area of Social Aspects of Ethnic and Racial Health Disparities.
• The ability to contribute through research, teaching, and/or public engagement to the diversity and excellence of the Department and College.
• Effective communication skills (both written and oral).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Demonstrated history of or potential for external research funding.
• Experience teaching courses relevant to health disparities.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to teaching and/or mentoring a diverse student population.
• Ability to engage productively with faculty across disciplines.

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

These are full-time, 9-month, tenure-track positions with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2023. The successful candidates' academic appointments will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience as well as disciplinary norms.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidates is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY 

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/22737 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (e.g., prior research findings and impact; future research plans);
• Teaching statement (e.g., teaching experience, mentoring experience, teaching philosophy, courses prepared to teach);
• Commitment to diversity statement (e.g., values around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; diversity-related experience in teaching, research, and service; plans to continue to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion);
• Writing sample and any supporting materials,
• Contact information for three (3) letters of reference. References will not be contacted without notification of the candidate.

Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. For more information please visit the unit websites: Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Geography, Human Development and Family Sciences, and Sociology. Applicants will receive an email from our Human Resources Department asking to specify the department to which they are applying. For questions about these positions, please contact Mackenzie Murphy, mackenzie.murphy@uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee's unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.

About University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 30,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.

Connections working at University of Connecticut