Assistant/Associate Professor of Biobehavioral Health

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia invites applications for an assistant or associate professor in Human Development and Family Science. This role focuses on biobehavioral health research across the lifespan and requires a strong background in teaching, securing grants, and running a wet lab. Candidates will collaborate in interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding biological aging and its impact on health.

Qualifications

• Candidate must show clear evidence of successful teaching and research.
• Experience in securing external research funding required.
• Expertise in stress biology methodologies is strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a nationally/internationally recognized research program.
• Train graduate students in biobehavioral and computational science.
• Contribute to an established curriculum in HDFS at graduate and undergraduate levels.

Skills

Research in biobehavioral health

Understanding biopsychosocial processes

Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Education

Earned doctorate in HDFS or a related field

Job description

External Retirement Plan Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Underutilization Advertised Salary Anticipated Start Date 08/01/2025 Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings) Job Posting Date 09/30/2024 Job Closing Date Open until filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Full consideration will be given to applications received by Oct. 30, 2024. Required materials include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, up to three preprints/reprints of representative publications, and contact information for three references. Direct any additional questions about the position to Dr. Assaf Oshri ([e-mail]) or Dr. Charles Geier ([e-mail]), search committee co-chairs.
Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title Open Rank FLSA Faculty Rank Open Rank (Tenure Track) Contract Type Academic (9 mo.) Tenure Status Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications
An earned doctorate in HDFS or a closely related field (e.g., psychology, genetics, neuroscience, sociology, public health, education, gerontology, etc.).
Position Summary
The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at the University of Georgia is seeking applicants for the position of assistant or associate professor, with an anticipated start date of August 2025. We are looking for an individual with expertise in biobehavioral health across the lifespan. The ideal candidate's research should focus broadly on understanding how biopsychosocial processes, across various stages of life and over multiple time scales, influence behavioral risk, aging, and disease decades later through changes in biological aging. We are particularly interested in candidates who examine multiple levels of human development, including genomics, biomarkers, and phenotypic data. Preference will be given to candidates capable of running a wet lab to test for markers of stress biology, biological aging, inflammation, and/or gene expression in blood and saliva samples. Additionally, candidates who are open to collaborating with faculty focused on applied and developmental neuroscience-aimed at understanding the interplay between biological and environmental contributions to health and development-are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to hire a faculty member who has potential or who is active in securing grants and can work collaboratively with faculty at the Georgia Center for Developmental Science (G-CDS), complementing existing expertise in advanced interdisciplinary developmental science aimed at enhancing resilience in disadvantaged communities. Expertise in the implementation of AI methods, broadly defined, is strongly encouraged.

We seek individuals who can train graduate students in biobehavioral and computational science, with a strong focus on stress biology methodologies. This position will support the biobehavioral training tracks in the college. The new hire will join a dynamic program with a strong history of collaborative basic and applied research that crosses methodological and disciplinary boundaries. Successful candidates will contribute to an established curriculum in HDFS at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, maintain a rigorous, nationally or internationally recognized research program using advanced analytical strategies, secure funding from external sources commensurate with rank and experience, publish in peer-reviewed scholarly outlets, and mentor doctoral students.

This position is being funded by a Presidential Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring Initiative in which the College of Family and Consumer Sciences is seeking colleagues whose research is focused on the correlates and long-term sequelae of early adversity across the lifespan.
Additional Requirements
Qualifications:

• For an associate professor appointment, candidates must have at least five years of experience as an assistant professor (eligible for promotion to associate professor upon appointment) at a comparable institution and must provide clear and convincing evidence of high levels of achievement in teaching and research, along with commensurate national or international recognition in developmental science and/or family studies.
• The successful candidate must show clear and convincing evidence of, or clear potential for, successful teaching at the graduate level and securing external research funding. Please refer to UGA's criteria for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies Physical Demands Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Sample Publications
4. List of References with Contact Information
5. Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy
6. Research Portfolio/Philosophy

Optional Documents