Professor & Clark Leadership Chair in Airborne Infectious Disease Transmission

The Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health (MIAEH) within the University of Maryland, School of Public Health (SPH) seeks an outstanding, senior researcher for the position of Professor & Clark Leadership Chair in Airborne Infectious Disease Transmission. The Clark Leadership Endowed Chair is envisioned to take a leadership role in developing a new Center for Airborne Infection and Pandemic Respiratory Disease Prevention, further expanding UMD’s impact and reputation as an internationally recognized leader in creating knowledge and innovative, workable solutions to address society’s grand challenges with regard to global pandemics of airborne respiratory diseases.

This individual would leverage current trans-disciplinary, cross-campus, national and international collaborations led by internationally recognized MIAEH faculty to tackle the environmental determinants of infectious diseases in a global context and a changing climate with a focus on airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens and global pandemic prevention. Our work in this area combines the fields of engineering, computer science, indoor built environment, infectious diseases, one health, global health, epidemiology (including randomized controlled trials), and behavioral and community health to create valuable knowledge and actionable solutions toward alleviating the global impacts of ongoing and future pandemics. This Chair will take a lead in expanding our capability in these fields, including human studies, and building additional capacity with an emphasis on adding novel interdisciplinary partnerships and capacity (e.g., aerosol science, photobiology and health physics, architecture, business, workforce education and development, artificial intelligence). These expanded capacities will allow us to pursue innovative solutions to structure future resilient living, working, and public environments to maximize health equity, worker health and safety, and protect global health and economic productivity against the threat of future pandemics. The continued rapid emergence of new highly transmissible coronavirus variants emphasizes that protection of front line workers and vulnerable populations, even in the era of new vaccine technologies, will not be achieved with pharmaceutical interventions alone.

MIAEH comprises ~25 diverse tenure- and professional-track faculty focused on impactful scholarship across a number of domains, including airborne infectious disease transmission, climate change and health, water reuse, environmental justice, environmental health policy, air and dietary contaminants, community engagement and global health. MIAEH faculty, students and staff are committed to the just transformation of institutionalized structures of oppression and the development of an inclusive, equitable community.

MIAEH currently offers three academic degree programs (the MPH with a concentration in Environmental Health Sciences and the MS and PhD in Environmental Health Sciences). MIAEH faculty also teach in the BS in Public Health Science undergraduate program and the postbaccalaureate certificate in Global Health. In the coming year, MIAEH will be launching a new undergraduate degree program in Global Health. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to this new program.

MIAEH and our existing Public Health Aerobiology (PHAB) Laboratory will move, in approximately 2026, into a new building currently under construction located in the center of the campus near the University Health Center. The new facilities will include a research clinic and expanded virology and bioaerosols laboratories including a CLIA certified high-complexity clinical lab to support clinical research diagnostics.

Qualifications: Applicants must possess qualifications meriting appointment as a full professor with tenure in the School of Public Health including a terminal degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership and extramural funding in airborne infectious disease transmission and/or pandemic respiratory disease prevention; have teaching experience using inclusive pedagogies, preferably at the graduate level; and demonstrate a commitment to working with a diverse body of students in a mentoring role. The successful candidate will be expected to take a leading role in developing a new Center for Airborne Infection and Pandemic Respiratory Disease Prevention, lead a collaborative, interdisciplinary research program, teach and mentor students, and provide service to the university and profession.

Academic Environment: The University of Maryland, School of Public Health, on the College Park campus, comprises MIAEH and the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Family Science; Health Policy and Management; Kinesiology; and Behavioral and Community Health. The University of Maryland is a Research Extensive University. College Park is the flagship campus of the University of Maryland System with over 3,200 full-time faculty members, nearly 31,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students. The campus offers over 90 undergraduate majors and 190 graduate degrees from 12 colleges and schools. The campus is ideally situated on a metro line that serves the Washington, DC area and is in close proximity to many federal institutes/agencies and departments including EPA, DHHS (NIH, NCI, FDA, CDC NCHS), and USDA. For more details, please visit our website at http://sph.umd.edu/miaeh.

Salary and appointment date: This will be a 9-month tenure-track position at the rank of Professor in the School of Public Health with potential for affiliate appointments in the University of Maryland School of Medicine and/or other colleges and institutes within the College Park and Baltimore Campuses. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of Maryland offers a comprehensive benefits package. Appointment is expected to begin between August 2024 and January 2025.

Application: For full consideration, applicants should submit: 1) a current curriculum vitae; 2) a single letter of intent that a) describes their interest in the position, b) includes a research statement describing their previous experience and future research goals, c) describes their leadership, teaching and mentoring experience and future plans in these areas, and d) includes a statement that details their commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in their scholarship, teaching and mentoring activities; and 3) contact information for three references (who will be contacted at a later date). Review of applications will begin November 15, 2023 (best consideration date) and continue until the position is filled. Submit applications electronically at https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/113127, Position Number 128783, listed under the faculty section. If you have any questions about the position, please email the chair of the search committee, Dr. Donald Milton (dmilton@umd.edu). If you have any questions about the application procedures through eTerp, please email Mr. Maurice Rocque (mrocque@umd.edu).

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.