The Opportunity

The University of Central Florida (UCF), College of Medicine is seeking applicants for four (4) tenure-earning assistant professor of medicine or tenured associate professor of medicine positions within our rapidly growing Department of Population Health Sciences. Rank will be based on experience and qualifications. 

The UCF College of Medicine is a research-based medical school with a culture founded on partnerships and collaboration. The UCF College of Medicine’s mission is to create and cultivate an environment that honors and promotes a diverse and inclusive culture throughout all its institutions; and to heal, innovate, and transform healthcare for the benefit of all members of our society. The UCF College of Medicine offers a highly interactive, collegial research environment and has a location on the Academic Health Sciences campus, Lake Nona. UCF College of Medicine in Lake Nona is part of a growing “Medical City” that includes the UCF Lake Nona Medical Center Hospital, UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, Orlando VA Medical Center, and Nemours Children’s Health. Medical City provides a hub for healthcare innovation that is transforming Orlando into a global destination for health care, research, and health education.

The Department of Population Health Sciences is developing a robust interdisciplinary population health research team that will enhance the College of Medicine’s research, teaching, and service programs through an exciting period of growth and expansion. The department currently consists of 13 faculty with training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health behavior, implementation science, health communication, and social sciences. We seek to grow our department with faculty who possess expertise beyond the existing methodological base. As such, we welcome candidates from many different potential academic disciplines (e.g., health policy, public affairs, economics, statistics, informatics, social epidemiology, sociology, social welfare, human development, lifespan, etc.) who can contribute to the understanding of health and wellbeing.

We seek faculty candidates who will contribute to research and teaching in at least one of the following areas of interest: 

• Health policy development, advocacy, and evaluation. The desired candidate’s interest should include health or social policies that have important health impacts (e.g., healthcare financing, green space, food access, gun policy, housing, structural racism). Research should not solely focus on policy recommendations but also include empirical evaluation of health impacts of policy, laws, and policy change. 
• Systems science and health systems. We are particularly interested in candidates who make use of empirical systems science methods (e.g., agent-based modeling, causal loop diagrams, system dynamics, social network analysis) to address population health and healthcare systems that result in disparities. Candidates who integrate these methods to model, analyze, and interpret the complex and interdependent relationships within healthcare systems will be highly valued.
• Health economics. Of interest are candidates who conduct research on poverty as a social determinant of health, development and delivery of economic interventions, and/or (most importantly) experience in conducting economic sustainability evaluations of public health interventions. 
• Lifespan and aging. With a growing aging population, both nationally and in Florida, we are particularly interested in candidates whose research focuses on lifespan development, aging, and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect older adults. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in addressing the unique health challenges of aging populations, including managing chronic diseases and improving quality of life for older adults through targeted interventions and policy solutions.
• Community-engaged evaluation research. We particularly are interested in researchers with experience and expertise to obtain funding to develop, implement, and evaluate community-based interventions and services in collaboration with a variety of community partners. The ideal candidate will have experience in community-engaged research methodologies, such as participatory action research, community-based participatory research, and mixed-methods approaches. Candidates should have a strong commitment to collaborating with community partners, ensuring that research is grounded in the real-world needs of the populations being served.
• Data science and statistics. As part of our digital health initiative, we welcome candidates who have a demonstrated track record of applying data science methods and techniques (e.g., statistics, computer science, informatics, AI) to address health challenges and improve health outcomes. The ideal candidate will have their own program of research as lead investigator, as well as a willingness to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.   
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Beyond the specific methodological approaches outlined in the six areas of interest, we are open to a broad range of disease foci and populations of interest in the candidates’ research. We encourage applicants whose work addresses various health conditions or population health issues, whether they are focused on chronic diseases, infectious diseases, mental health, or social determinants of health.

In a collaborative effort with faculty throughout the university, the department is currently in the process of developing a two-year Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree program in Population Health Sciences. Within this program, students will have the opportunity to select one of five specialty areas: 1) Digital Health, 2) Cancer and Chronic Disease, 3) Infectious Diseases, 4) Community and Global Health, or 5) Health Equity.  Applicants whose research fits broadly into one of these five MPH specialty areas are especially welcome.

Additional information about the Department of Population Health Sciences and its current faculty can be found at: https://med.ucf.edu/academics/academic-departments/population-health/population-health-sciences-faculty/.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must have a Ph.D., M.D., Dr.P.H., Ed.D., J.D., or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution, qualify for the tenure track at the UCF COM, and demonstrate independent scholarly productivity in population health-related research. Candidates must have a track-record of involvement in externally-funded research and the potential to develop their own program of funded research. They will have demonstrated innovative contributions to science reflected by publication in high-impact journals. The selected candidate will be expected to become actively involved in population health research, education, research dissemination, and community service efforts.

The candidate’s scholarly background and experience must be commensurate with the faculty rank for which the application is submitted. To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor of medicine upon hire, the successful candidate must have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and teaching experience commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor of medicine.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research interests and a program of work that extends beyond the current faculty interests. Desirable areas might include public/population health research in the following areas: life-course research and aging populations, the opioid epidemic, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, asthma and other child health disparities, maternal and infant mortality, healthcare quality/access, healthcare funding and systems, neighborhood/community-level factors that impact health, immigration and immigrant health, housing and gentrification, and other novel research related to social and structural determinants of health.
• A track record of addressing social and structural determinants of health and/or health disparities among underserved populations such as those who are economically marginalized, minoritized populations, women, recent immigrants, homeless or housing insecure, older and aging, people with disabilities, and incarcerated populations.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence in offering courses in at least one of the six methodological areas noted above as part of an MPH curriculum.
• A record of funding from extramural sources (NIH, RWJF, CDC, DOJ or equivalent) as principal investigator. Candidates for the assistant professor of medicine rank  should demonstrate strong potential for future funding success as a principal investigator.
• The capacity to foster multi-institutional collaborations.
• Research that can lead to collaborations with existing population health faculty at UCF COM as well as faculty in other disciplines at UCF.
• Demonstrates the ability to teach, mentor and conduct research effectively with a broad range of populations, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and community members.
• A Master’s of Public Health degree.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, interested candidates must upload: a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae; a teaching statement detailing interests, qualifications, and experience; a brief statement outlining research interests, research plan, and plans for extramural funding; a brief statement about ability to teach, mentor, and conduct research with varied populations; and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.  

NOTE: Please have all six documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. Incomplete applications with missing documents cannot be considered.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to  Brittany Hofmann, HR Business Partner, at Brittany.hofmann@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants: N/A

Job Close Date: Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!?UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.?
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.?
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.?
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.?
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department College of Medicine (COM) - Population Health Operations

Work Schedule: Varies

Type of Appointment: Regular

Expected Salary: Negotiable

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/QyZbkrhJ2j8MohwMKFyBoM

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