Professor & Department Chair

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health

University of Iowa, College of Public Health

The University of Iowa, College of Public Health seeks a dedicated, visionary, and experienced leader for the position of Chair of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH). The Chair provides strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of the department, and coordinates and administers the overall academic agenda, including education, research, and service activities. The Chair will be appointed at the level of Professor with Tenure and will report to the Dean.

The Chair will be expected to:

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  Set a compelling vision to inspire faculty, staff, and students to maintain and execute the strategic plan for the department.

  
  


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  Recruit, develop, and retain productive and diverse faculty of nationally recognized experts.

  
  


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  Provide inspirational and effective mentorship of faculty, staff, fellows, and students.

  
  

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  Foster a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive academic environment for faculty, staff, fellows, and students.

  
  


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  Lead innovation in curriculum and educational programs.

  
  


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  Build upon departmental research programs and foster collaboration within the college, the university, and the scientific community.

  
  


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  Champion opportunities for student funding, including assistantships and training programs.

  
  


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  Teach courses and advise departmental graduate students and collegiate undergraduate students.

  
  


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  Maintain an active scholarship portfolio, including external funding and publications.

  
  


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  Promote the visibility of the department and college by involvement nationally in professional organizations.

  
  


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  Transparently manage the departmental budget within the confines of financial support to achieve budgeted goals and maintain a positive fiscal condition.

  
  


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  Ensure compliance with collegiate, university, state, and federal policies related to grant funding, legislative policies, and academic policies.

  
  


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  Serve as a member of the collegiate leadership team that guides the strategic initiatives and resources to allow the college to meet its mission, vision, and goals.

  
  

The College of Public Health is nationally ranked among the top 10 in publicly supported schools of public health and has a diverse research portfolio. The college and its five departments offer a rich environment in interdisciplinary research and faculty engagement.

The department has 35 graduate students, averages over $11 million in research awards per year, 14 primary faculty plus one faculty search nearing completion, and several staff and fellows. The department offers MS, MPH, and PhD degrees in Occupational and Environmental Health as well as an MS degree in Agricultural Safety and Health and an ABET-accredited MS degree in Industrial Hygiene. Along with these degree programs, the University’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IDGP) in Human Toxicology, which offers MS and PhD training in toxicology and associated biomedical sciences, is administered out of OEH; 8 OEH faculty contribute to the program and 25 PhD students are enrolled.

Faculty in this interdisciplinary department conduct research in areas of musculoskeletal disorders; measurement of biotoxins and toxic chemicals in the environment and biospecimens; health effects of bioaerosols; metabolism and toxicity of environmental chemicals; control measures for occupational and environmental exposures; urban development; infectious disease epidemiology; global health; and strategies to prevent injuries and violence at work and in the community. The department is home to multiple research centers and has research funding through the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State of Iowa, foundations, and corporate entities. Departmental faculty enjoy strong collaborative relationships with each college on campus and have well-established working relationships with organizations and communities across Iowa, throughout Federal Region VII (Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri), nationally, and internationally, specifically Bangladesh, Central Europe, West Africa, East Africa, and India.

Research strengths of the department include 5 centers of excellence: a CDC-funded injury prevention research center, an NIEHS-funded environmental health sciences core center (both funded for 30+ years each), and 3 centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Further information about the Department can be found at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/oeh/.

Inquiries regarding the position can be made to Dr. Paul Romitti, Search Committee Chair, at paul-romitti@uiowa.edu. Applications should include a letter outlining interests and relevant experience and a curriculum vitae. The letter should also include a statement identifying how their past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance the University of Iowa’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

The University of Iowa is committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse faculty and staff, which involves providing opportunities for employees to “Build a Career | Build a Life.”  For more information about local work / life resources, including dual-career support, please see  http://worklife.uiowa.edu.

For more information on this position, please visit https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/job/oeh-head/.  

PhD, DrPH, MD (with MPH preferred) or equivalent degree in a related field and qualifications commensurate with appointment as a tenured, full professor in our College of Public Health. Associate professors with qualifications for appointment as a tenured, full professor are also encouraged to apply.

Demonstrated academic experience in the fields of occupational and/or environmental health with national recognition as a scholar.

Demonstrated academic leadership and administrative experience.

Record of high-quality classroom teaching and student mentorship.

Record of high-quality research productivity, including extramural funding.

Record of fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students.

Experience with verbal and written communication strategies that foster transparent leadership.

Experience building partnerships across academic disciplines.

Experience implementing long-term strategies for growth in an interdisciplinary environment.

Record of service or participation with national or international professional societies.