Urban Health

The at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position within the . The successful candidate will pursue a vibrant and externally funded research in areas of health disparities among diverse ethnic minority populations, as well as professional services and teaching/training. The competitive candidate for this position will be expected to function as a health disparity investigator and contribute to multidisciplinary team science.  We seek candidates whose experiences in innovative population science research has prepared them to advance our mission and commitment to reducing health disparities in cancer, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes among Asian American Pacific Islanders, underserved and underrepresented racial/ethnic minority populations through cohort studies or behavioral interventions.  Candidates should demonstrate strong potential to obtain external funding. Candidates with a track record of conducting innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative research are preferred.

Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant discipline
• Completion of 2-3 years of research-focused postdoctoral training with a specific research focus on health disparities among ethnic minority populations including Asian Americans
• Multiple publications in peer-reviewed journal of high professional standing during the past 3 years
• Experience with research grants writing, submission and funding preferred.

This position seeks to identify extraordinary scholars from fields including but not limited to public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, kinesiology, psychology, geography, or related fields with a demonstrated track record of scholarly work in health disparities, population health, social and environmental epidemiology, and community health. Interdisciplinary researchers are strongly desired. The candidate should have expertise conducting health disparities research in various settings, including study design and methodology, data analysis, and dissemination of findings to various stakeholders. The candidate should have strong communication, writing, problem solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal strengths. Teaching interests must include health disparities, and health equity.

The candidate should ideally have significant experience conducting research that addresses social determinants of health that relate to the neighborhood and built environment, as well as social and community context and be able to apply these principles to interventions, community-engaged, epidemiological based studies conducted by the Center for Asian Health. Some examples of research areas include the neighborhood environment, access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities, racism, discrimination, and violence and how these relate to health outcomes and contribute to racial and ethnic health disparities. Expertise with data analysis and proficiency in software such as SAS, R, GIS or visual data storytelling is preferred. The candidate will be expected to secure extramural funding to conduct health disparities research that investigate social and environmental factors that lead to health disparities in health outcomes such as cancer, chronic disease, infectious diseases, and lifestyle behaviors.

The candidate will help advance the strategic plan and mission of the Center for Asian Health through reducing cancer and health disparities among diverse and underserved populations. The candidate will contribute to the interdisciplinary aspect of the center through their expertise in health disparities research but specifically providing unique expertise with macro social determinants of health. The candidate will collaborate with multiple researchers from other fields and provide guidance in this area of research that is a topic of priority in health disparities research related to cancer, chronic disease, and infectious diseases.

Center for Asian Health

Established in 2000, Center for Asian Health at Lewis Katz School of Medicine is one of the first in the nation dedicated to reducing cancer and health disparities among diverse Asian Americans (funded by NIH/NCI). The Center’s mission is to reduce health disparities and improve health equity among growing Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, underserved and underrepresented diverse populations through research, education/mentorship, community outreach, dissemination and clinical support for enhancing culturally and linguistically appropriate services in health care. Center for Asian Health has a long tradition of excellence that promotes and supports community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR). The Center has been committed to the mission of fostering collaborative transdisciplinary research that comprehensively integrates social, behavioral, environmental, clinical, genetic and biological factors within a multilevel framework by addressing the determinants of health and health disparities in cancer, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Center for Asian Health has conducted over 120 research projects and received continuous funding for over $120 millions from National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, PCORI, state and city health departments and other sources.  The Center has established an innovative and effective model for reducing health disparities and advancing health equity in underserved populations. There will be many opportunities for research collaborations with the Center’s established partners over the past 23 years, including Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, community-based organizations and regional health disparity partnership networks in the PA, NJ, and NYC and nationally.  

Department of Urban Health and Population Science

The Mission of the Department of Urban Health and Population Science is to advance the well-being of urban communities through impactful research, education, and community engagement. Our department is committed to addressing the intricate challenges of urban health and population dynamics in marginalized communities, with a focus on promoting health equity, resilience, and sustainable development. We strive to conduct cutting-edge research that generates evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes and enhance the overall quality of life in urban populations with complex structural determinants of health. Our interdisciplinary approach brings together more than 140 faculty, professional staff, and experts in public health, medicine, anthropology, ethics, epidemiology, sociology, law, education, social work, population science and related fields to explore the multifaceted factors influencing health and population dynamics in urban environments.  Education is a cornerstone of our mission, and we are dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in urban health and population science. Through rigorous academic programs, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities, we empower our students to contribute meaningfully to the field, fostering a new generation of professionals who can navigate and seek to mitigate the unethical health inequities that exist in urban environments. We foster partnerships and promote community-driven initiatives by engaging communities, policymakers, and stakeholders who are trusted messengers to translate research findings into actionable policies, interventions and practices.  The communities we partner with actively collaborate with our teams, playing a vital role in our success. We credit a substantial part of our achievements to their valuable insights and impactful contributions.  Our Department is guided by a commitment to social justice, solidarity, ethical research practices, and the principles of community-based participatory research. We are highly skilled in the science of studying equity – and in deploying evidence to drive change. Through our work, we aspire to make lasting contributions to the field of urban health, ultimately creating healthier, more vibrant, and sustainable urban communities.

About:

• To learn more about the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, .
• To learn more about Temple University, .

Procedure for Candidacy

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete an online application by Wednesday, March 20th, 2024. 

Application materials should include: 1) a cover letter stating area of expertise and qualifications; 2) a current curriculum vitae; 3) a synopsis of accomplishments and research goals (limited to 4 pages); 4) a brief statement of teaching interests; 5) contact information, including e-mail addresses, for three references; and 6) a brief statement describing participation in activities that promote diversity and inclusion, and/or plans to make future contributions to such efforts. Applications should be sent as a single compiled pdf in the order indicated above, and will not be considered complete until all materials are received.

Please address your application to: Grace X. Ma, PhD, Director, Center for Asian Health, Associate Dean for Health Disparities, Laura H. Carnell Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Urban Health and Population Science C/O Jessica Vega, Senior Physician/Faculty Recruiter, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities. For more information about diversity at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, please visit the .