Department Chair

Job no: 523921
Position type: Faculty Full Time
Benefit Status: Benefited-Union
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Biomed & Nutritional Sciences
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience
Applications Open: Jun 21 2024
Applications Close: Open until filled

General Summary of Position:

The Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences (BNS) in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) seeks a visionary leader to serve as its next Chair. The Chair will work collaboratively with the College’s new dean to provide strategic direction for the department’s future growth in interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate education, cutting-edge research, community and industry partnerships, and faculty and staff hiring, and to advance the reputation of the department and college.

BNS is a multidisciplinary department that offers undergraduate degrees in applied biomedical sciences (ABS), nutritional science (NS), and pharmaceutical sciences (PS), including two nationally accredited programs, Medical Laboratory Sciences and Dietetics, an MS degree in applied biomedical sciences, and an MS and PhD in pharmaceutical sciences. Faculty in BNS also participate in an interdisciplinary master’s in public health (MPH) program in Dietetics, as well as graduate programs in biomedical engineering & biotechnology (MS/PhD) and public health (ScD in Epidemiology).

The BNS department currently has 22 full-time faculty and 5 full-time staff members. This vibrant team of research-focused, teaching-focused, and clinical -focused educators are actively engaged with students through innovative health sciences education, including experiential and interprofessional education, hands-on laboratory training, and research mentorship. Research in the department is multidisciplinary and includes cutting edge topics in biomedical sciences, nutritional biochemistry and epidemiology, and pharmaceutical sciences. Opportunities abound for collaborative research across the college and university, with exercise science, public health, nursing, engineering, business, and the sciences.

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences (ZCHS) is a dynamic and growing college that prepares scientists and professionals in a wide range of health-focused disciplines. In addition to BNS, the College houses the Solomont School of Nursing, and the departments of Public Health and Physical Therapy and Kinesiology. Research expenditures in the college have more than doubled in the last several years, and the college boasts a strong and supportive community that values research excellence and student success.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade and will be designated as R1 in 2025. It was ranked as the #1 public university in MA by the Wall Street Journal in 2024, especially because of its exceptional student success outcomes. Its 17,000+ student body is highly diverse, with 45% of first-year students first generation, and 44% of undergraduates identifying as students of color. Lowell, in the heart of New England on the banks of the Merrimack River, is an exceptionally diverse community and a beautiful hub of invention and innovation that is the birthplace of America’s industrial revolution. Our proximity to Boston, UMass Chan Medical School, the Bedford VA and the area’s biopharmaceutical industry provides exciting opportunities for academic and industry partnerships, as well as connecting to the outstanding and abundant medical and health resources in this region. UML has embarked on the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC) initiative, an exciting public-private partnership for a 1 million-square-foot development designed to meet the facilities, research and workforce needs of companies in multiple industries, with Draper Labs an anchor tenant. LINC will bring new housing, economic development, technology jobs and workforce development to downtown Lowell, and will provide exciting collaborative research opportunities for BNS in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, and human performance.

To lead the Department into the future, we are seeking an accomplished scholar and educator. Candidates with a strong record of federal funding, some experience with higher education leadership, and an entrepreneurial spirit are of particular interest. The appointment is expected to be at the level of Associate or Full Professor with tenure.

The Chair will be expected to continue our strong emphasis on student success, recruit and retain highly qualified faculty, and guide department growth in new strategic areas. An ambitious expansion of the departmental research enterprise is a key goal for the new chair, as is increasing academic-industry partnerships. The Chair will be supported by a department administrative team that includes an associate chair, undergraduate and graduate program directors and clinical coordinators, a team of biomedical laboratory specialists, and an administrative assistant. The Chair will also be an integral part of the College’s leadership team and work with other chairs and the Dean’s team in a collaborative way to advance interdisciplinary and interprofessional programs and research throughout the college.

UML is committed to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations, as well as curriculum and support programs, while promoting an inclusive environment. We seek candidates who can contribute to that goal. We encourage individuals from underrepresented populations to apply and would be pleased to have applicants identify strengths in this area.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Doctoral degree in any biomedical or health-related field
• Strong track record in externally funded research
• Substantial publication record
• Demonstrated excellence in mentoring, teaching, and service
• Experience with undergraduate, graduate, and accredited programs, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate curricula
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups and interdisciplinary teams
• Previous rank of associate or full professor with tenure
• Experience in fostering partnerships within the university and with outside partners, such as industry-based research

Additional Considerations:

• Evidence of excellence in leadership roles and interpersonal skills, including experience in a high-level leadership role in a 4-year research institution
• Ability to successfully collaborate with faculty and upper administration
• Experience recruiting faculty with strong research agendas and mentoring them through the tenure process

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

Please submit the following required documents with your application:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter which includes the following:
  • Description of past leadership experiences and mentoring activities
  • Vision for your role as Chair and for advancing the department
• Teaching philosophy and list of courses taught
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals: Please submit two or three significant, relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Research statement listing accomplishments and future plans
• Names and contact information of three professional references will be required at the time of application process. (One should be a current/former supervisor) References will not be contacted until after the candidate visits campus and with candidate consent.

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