"Open Rank Faculty - Social and Behavioral Sciences"

Job Details

Mission or Goal of Unit: In the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) we strive for optimal health for all people via research, education, and service, with community engagement at the heart of all we do. Our work spans the translational continuum within public health, focusing on understanding and transforming the systemic, structural, social, and behavioral factors that affect health to promote well-being for all. Housed within the R1 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Public Health (SOPH), the SBS Department is home to 13 full-time faculty and a robust funding portfolio that exceeded $2M in expenditures in FY 2025. Areas of existing research strength within SBS include: prevention and management of chronic diseases; health disparities; cancer prevention and control; health communication; and women’s health. Equally central to our purpose is our educational mission. Our educational programs (including a PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences, MD-PhD, and an MPH concentration in Cancer Prevention and Control Science), center community engagement and experiential learning, preparing scholars to work across fields and in partnership with both organizations and local communities. For more details, please visit www.sbs.vcu.edu.

Purpose of this position: The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health invites applications for a full-time 12-month, tenure-eligible, open rank faculty member. We are seeking an incoming faculty member with demonstrated expertise in dissemination and implementation science and a commitment to our tripartite mission across scholarship, teaching, and service. Applicants with formal training and experience in implementation science, community-based participatory research, and/or community-engaged research are particularly of interest. Those applying at the assistant professor level should show evidence of research productivity and the potential to obtain external funding. Applicants at the associate professor or full professor level should show evidence of a well-developed scholarly/research portfolio including multidisciplinary projects and extramural funding commensurate with rank.

Position Responsibilities:

Research: The faculty member is expected to build or expand an independent, programmatic line of research in dissemination and implementation science, community-engaged research, and/or behavioral science in an area that complements and/or augments existing strengths in the unit. A combination of extramural funding as PI and collaborator is expected that aligns with our unit’s mission, vision, and values.

Teaching: The faculty member will also support the department with teaching responsibilities, including teaching a graduate-level course in dissemination and implementation science, as well as other relevant topics or methods as needed and aligned with expertise. Ideal candidates will also mentor pre- and post-doctoral students and trainees.

Service: The faculty member is expected to serve on Departmental, School, and/or University committees, as well as in a professional capacity in their discipline (e.g., reviewer, conference organizer, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D., Dr.PH., or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant health-related field (e.g., social and behavioral sciences, public health, psychology)
• Expertise in implementation science frameworks/methodologies, methods, and study designs
• Advanced expertise in research methodologies and methods
• Proven record of peer-reviewed publications and commitment to lay data dissemination
• Strong track record—or significant potential—for securing extramural funding
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a history of or interest in team science
• Commitment to strong departmental citizenship
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal training in dissemination and implementation science
• Postdoctoral research training experience
• Teaching experience at the graduate or undergraduate level
• Experience in trainee mentorship
• Formal training in community-based participatory research

Required Materials:
Review of applications will begin November 30th and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit the following materials and an official application:

• Brief cover letter detailing interest in this specific position, and highlighting alignment between the SBS Department, VCU, and their interests and expertise
• CV
• Research statement (no more than 2 pages)
• Teaching and mentorship statement (no more than 2 pages)

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School of Public Health MBU

Department: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Salary Range: Commensurate with Rank

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months