How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/136762. For best consideration, apply by January 8, 2024, however, applications may continue to be accepted and reviewed until the position has been filled.
The below materials should be consolidated into one PDF document before uploading to Interfolio.
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement (up to 2 pages)
- Teaching statement (1 page)
- Diversity statement (1 page), outlining how your research, teaching, service, and/or outreach activities broadly contribute to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please refer to this site for additional resources.
- Up to three examples of research publications.
- Full names and email addresses for three references.
Review of applications will begin January 10, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Nominations, applications, and expressions of interest will be held in confidence, and references will be contacted only with the candidate's permission.
Should you require support related to your system application experience, please visit this following link or: Contact us at [email protected] or (877) 997-8807, 9-6 Eastern Time M-F.
For questions about the position, please contact Search Committee Chair Rebecca Hasson ([email protected] or 734-763-8671)
Summary
The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan is pleased to announce a strategic hiring initiative targeting several emerging and multidisciplinary themes. As part of this initiative, we are searching for a Social Epigeneticist whose research focuses on the identification of social-environmental factors, their influence on human biology through epigenetic modifications, and how they contribute to current health disparities. We invite open rank applications and nominations for this tenure-track faculty position.
As a school, we are building on existing faculty interests to develop a research group in health equity and social change through physical activity and sport. A successful candidate will be expected to participate in this effort, as a foundational member. This initiative is motivated by a vision to expand knowledge of how sport and physical activity programs at the individual, organizational, and/or community levels may address (in)equities/disparities in health and wellbeing, thereby contributing to social change. Environmental factors, including physical exercise, have been shown to have a beneficial influence on epigenetic modifications. Accordingly, potential areas of study include but are not limited to epigenetic changes (e.g., DNA methylation, micro-RNA expression) in response to the environment, targeted epigenetic therapies, and environmental/social strategies to minimize health disparities. While we envision this position to primarily focus on human-related outcomes, researchers with projects that have translational applications are strongly encouraged to apply.
In addition to the many exciting opportunities within the School of Kinesiology, the school has a strong record of successfully partnering with other academic units within the university - consistent with the culture of the University of Michigan that highly values innovation across disciplines. Faculty members are encouraged to work with experts across campus, and internal funding opportunities exist to support collaborative teams.
Required Qualifications*
A PhD is required. Scholars from different disciplines, whose research centers on social epigenetics, are encouraged to apply, including those with doctorate degrees in genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, molecular/developmental biology, kinesiology, public health, social or behavioral sciences, or related field. Candidates should demonstrate their contributions to a positive workplace culture, aligned with our school's core values.
Assistant Professor candidates should demonstrate academic independence with respect to: 1) publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research, 2) mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, 3) teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise, and 4) seeking research funding.
At the Associate and Full Professor ranks, candidates should demonstrate a consistent and ongoing record of securing research funding. Additionally, they should possess the necessary experience and skills to provide leadership that will advance the scholarly excellence of the School of Kinesiology. These requirements are in addition to those expected at the Assistant Professor rank mentioned above.
Additional Information
The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan is the top Kinesiology program in the United States, according to a recent review by the National Academy of Kinesiology. The School is one of 19 independent academic units and one of seven health science schools and colleges within the University of Michigan. The School is led by Dean Lori Ploutz-Snyder, and has 35 tenure-line faculty, 13 clinical-line faculty, 25 part and full-time lecturers, and approximately 1200 undergraduate and graduate students, across four programs (Sport Management, Movement Science, Athletic Training, and Applied Exercise Science). In 2021, our school moved into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art academic and research building (School of Kinesiology Building), located in the heart of the University of Michigan's main campus. The $120,000,000 renovation project expanded the School of Kinesiology's research, classroom, and office space to approximately 189,000 sq ft.
The School celebrates, and is committed to, the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion and believes that they enrich the learning environment and enhance the school's innovation and overall productivity; review more detail about our diversity commitment here.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.