Assistant Professor Health Policy and Community Health

Job ID: 289740

Location: Statesboro, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Join Our Team at Georgia Southern! Georgia Southern is a dynamic university with three vibrant campuses in Hinesville, Savannah and Statesboro serving the communities in Southeast Georgia. As a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution, our world-class scholars instruct about 26,000 students in associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral level degree programs. Whether you are seeking the charm of a small town, the traditions of a historical/urban destination near the beach or supporting our military service members and their families, Georgia Southern offers its faculty and staff the best of all worlds!

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are steeped in tradition and devoted to academic distinction in teaching, scholarship and service. In 2018 Forbes Magazine listed Georgia Southern, along with 10 other Georgia companies or institutions, as one of America's Best Midsize Employers. Georgia Southern University is passionate about serving our region while preparing our students to be lifelong scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities and the world.

To learn more about Georgia Southern's Vision, Mission and Values please click here.

Department Information

Within this setting, the mission of the JPHCOPH is to improve health and to eliminate health disparities and health inequities of rural communities and underserved populations globally through excellence in teaching, public health workforce development, research, scholarship, professional service, and community engagement. The JPHCOPH offers the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degrees, as well as a Certificate in Public Health (online). The MPH program has seven concentration areas: Biostatistics, Community Health, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management, Health Informatics (online), and Applied Public Health (online). The DrPH degree has five concentration areas: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Community Health Behavior & Education, Health Policy, and Public Health Leadership (online). The Department of Health Policy and Community Health houses the DrPH in Community Health Behavior & Education, Health Policy, and Public Health Leadership. Additionally, the department houses the MHA and MPH in Applied Public Health, Community Health, Health Policy & Management, and Public Health Informatics. The BSPH degree is housed in the Dean's office. The JPHCOPH is a transdisciplinary college, so faculty from HPCH are expected to teach across various degree programs, including the BSPH. The Assistant Professor will contribute to departmental and college teaching, professional service, and extramurally funded research.

As an institutional leader in research, the JPHCOPH is committed to continuing its quest to build research capacity. As a means of building this capacity, the college has established research focus areas that include addiction science, health informatics, health services, healthy and safe workplaces, maternal and child health, and Sickle Cell Disease.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Health Policy and Community Health Department Chair, the Assistant Professor requires maintaining an active methodological and interdisciplinary research program, engaging with multidisciplinary research teams, mentoring students, and teaching graduate and undergraduate classes. The professional characteristics ideal for this position include the ability to articulate a clear approach to using knowledge and skills to integrate principles of community health, health policies, and practices of public health. The potential for securing external funds in the area of substance use prevention, harm reduction, addiction treatment, and addiction recovery is also a priority. In addition, the successful candidate is expected to teach and develop graduate and undergraduate courses in public health; serve on dissertation committees in the college; provide service to the community; mentor students; serve on department, college, and university committees; engage in scholarship/creative activity leading to presentations at professional meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals; and be actively involved in professional associations and outreach activities. The position is a 10-month, tenure-track appointment.

Required Qualifications

Earned doctorate degree (DrPH, PhD, ScD) in Public Health or a closely related area by August 1, 2026, with at least 18 graduate semester hours in community health and health policy.

Proficiency in Applied Research approaches associated with an emphasis on substance use prevention, harm reduction, addiction treatment, addiction recovery, or a closely related field.

Proven record of or demonstrated potential for securing extramural research funding.

Willingness to engage with institutional student success initiatives.

Commitment to engaging with best practice initiatives in instruction and pedagogy, mentoring, and curriculum design and development.

Demonstrated commitment to advancing a strong and growing research and scholarship agenda and the production of research/creative activities as appropriate to the discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Postdoctoral experience in addiction science research, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, with a strong emphasis on rural populations.

A track record that demonstrates strong foundational knowledge in the area of substance use and addiction, viewed through the lens of public health

Demonstrated research and publication experience in public health

Demonstrated ability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, relying on multiple platforms of delivery, including online and face-to-face instruction.

Required Documents to Attach

A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above; a curriculum vitae; and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 professional references. Other documentation may be requested.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Consistently exhibit engaging customer service.
Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
Proven proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for the specific position

KNOWLEDGE
Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support the University's mission for student success.

SKILLS
Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational, and human relations skills

Apply Before Date

Open Until Filled
Screening of applications begins October 16, 2025, and continues until the position is filled. Preferred start date is August 1, 2026.

Contact Information

Dr. Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, Search Chair,
Search Email: jphcophsearches@georgiasouthern.edu
Telephone: 912-478-2674