Associate Professor or Professor and Chair, Department of Sociomedical Sciences

practice. The successful candidate will be a distinguished scholar and respected academic leader with a demonstrated record of scientific achievement, substantial extramural funding, and a commitment to advancing knowledge related to the social and structural determinants of health. They will bring an ability to build partnerships, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, support outstanding faculty and students, strengthen employee teams, and navigate the opportunities and challenges facing research-intensive academic institutions. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOMEDICAL SCIENCES The Department of Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) is dedicated to analyzing and addressing the social determinants of health. SMS brings together social and behavioral science disciplines to educate the next generation of public health leaders and to conduct action-oriented research. The disciplines examine the relationship between trends in health outcomes and structural and social forces - including economics, discrimination, stigma, and law - to expose the fundamental social causes of public health outcomes. It translates theory and evidence to identify the approaches needed at population, clinical, and individual levels to provide and protect health. SMS draws upon a diverse range of analytic methods and conceptual frameworks from anthropology, behavioral science, ethics, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. Using these tools, faculty, staff, and students explore a wide array of public health issues. SMS faculty have a track record of conceptually innovative work that has produced ground-breaking findings in areas such as mental health, global population aging, cancer prevention, health of women and girls, urban health, HIV, tobacco and drug use, adolescent health, occupational and environmental health, and immigrant health. SMS has longstanding areas of expertise in women’s health, substance use, HIV prevention and treatment, gender and sexuality, health communications, and environmental health. The department also studies global health, mental health, criminal justice, energy insecurity, climate change and reproductive policies through community-engaged research. SMS has a strong foundation in implementation science, place-based interventions, ethics and data science. New ideas and areas of focus are welcome in the department. ROLE OF THE CHAIR The next Chair of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences has a unique opportunity to lead one of the nation's foremost departments dedicated to understanding and addressing the social and structural determinants of health. Building on a distinguished history of interdisciplinary scholarship, innovative education, and community-engaged research, the Chair will guide SMS into its next era of growth and influence. The Chair will provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for a dynamic department whose faculty, students, and research programs are advancing public health knowledge and practice locally, nationally, and globally. As the Department's academic leader, the Chair will be responsible for maintaining and extending SMS's preeminence in research, teaching, and service while fostering innovation across its scholarly and educational programs. The Chair will support and develop a distinguished faculty, promote a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture, and ensure that students continue to receive a rigorous and impactful educational experience. With responsibility for faculty recruitment, retention, mentorship, promotion, and professional development, the Chair will play a central role in cultivating the next generation of scholars and public health leaders. The successful candidate will also oversee departmental operations and resources, ensuring the long-term financial health and organizational effectiveness of the Department. KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT CHAIR Define the next chapter of sociomedical science. The next Chair will have the opportunity to articulate a compelling vision for the Department's future, building upon its distinguished legacy while expanding its intellectual influence across Columbia Mailman, CUIMC, Columbia University, and the broader public health community. Position SMS at the forefront of interdisciplinary public health science. The next Chair will have the opportunity to leverage Columbia's vast academic and research ecosystem to deepen existing collaborations, foster new interdisciplinary partnerships, and expand the Department's influence in emerging areas of public health. Strengthen and diversify the Department’s research enterprise. The Chair will help position the Department to pursue innovative research opportunities while sustaining its longstanding commitment to rigorous, policy-relevant scholarship. Recruit, develop, and support an exceptional faculty community. The next Chair will play a critical role in recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining outstanding faculty while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence. The successful candidate for the Stephen Smith Professor and Chair of Sociomedical Sciences will possess: A doctoral degree in public health or a related social science discipline or an MD with credentials commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor at Columbia University; An internationally recognized record of scholarly achievement and intellectual leadership, including a distinguished body of research that has advanced understanding of the social, behavioral, structural, cultural, and political determinants of health; A strong record of securing and leading externally funded research programs and supporting the growth of a vibrant and impactful research enterprise; A demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary public health science, with the ability to bridge disciplines, methodologies, and perspectives in pursuit of innovative solutions to complex public health challenges; The vision and strategic acumen to articulate and implement a compelling future direction for the Department while aligning departmental priorities with those of the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, CUIMC, and Columbia University; Demonstrated success building, leading, and sustaining high-performing interdisciplinary teams, centers, programs, or academic units; A demonstrated commitment to mentorship, faculty development, and faculty success across all career stages, including recruitment, retention, promotion, leadership development, and succession planning; The ability to inspire, motivate, and lead through periods of change, growth, and evolving institutional and funding landscapes; A collaborative, transparent, and communicative leadership style characterized by integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to shared governance and inclusive decision-making; Demonstrated skill in building consensus, navigating complex organizational environments, and addressing challenges with diplomacy, effectiveness, and respect; Strong administrative, financial, and organizational leadership abilities, including experience managing budgets, personnel, academic programs, and strategic initiatives; Exceptional relationship-building skills and the intellectual curiosity, political acumen, and institutional awareness to engage stakeholders across the School, medical center, University, community, and broader public health field; The ability to develop and strengthen partnerships across disciplines, departments, centers, universities, community organizations, governmental agencies, and other external collaborators; A demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, justice, and human rights through scholarship, education, leadership, and public engagement, and; A deep appreciation for the role of sociomedical sciences in addressing society's most pressing public health challenges and a commitment to translating research into meaningful impact on policy, practice, and population health. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/columbia-university-mailman-school-public-health/department-chair-sociomedical Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. Stephanie Fidel, Partner Jasmine Miller, Senior Associate Maria Peña, Senior Search Coordinator Isaacson, Miller Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Pay Transparency Disclosure The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. $325,000 - $375,000