Career Center

The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is accepting applications for the position of Tenured Professor & Department Chair of Human Genetics. Founded in 1948, Pitt Public Health spans seven academic departments, with nearly 650 students and 500 combined faculty and staff. The Department of Human Genetics was formally established in 1989 as the first such department in a School of Public Health, which is one of the six Health Science Schools of the world class University of Pittsburgh. The department is poised to enrich current research strengths and to train the next generation of Human Genetics scientists and leaders.

The Department of Human Genetics maintains internationally renowned research programs in the development and application of statistical genetics methodologies, bioinformatics, molecular genetics, bioethics, genetic counselling, and public health genetics. The Chair will lead approximately 20 departmental primary faculty, 150 students, and 12 staff, and is expected to bring effective leadership and management skills to the cultivation of these existing strengths.

The department is heavily involved in interdisciplinary research across the Pitt Health Sciences schools, as evidenced by the 35 secondary faculty from diverse primary departments. The Chair will continue to foster local collaborations within the Department, across the School of Public Health, with other University of Pittsburgh Schools such as Medicine, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the many specialty institutes and centers across the University and UPMC. Outside the University, the Chair will facilitate training and research activities at the local, national, and global levels.

The Chair will also reinforce the department’s commitment to education through strengthening and expanding the existing graduate degree programs in Human Genetics (MS and PhD), Genome Bioinformatics (MS), Genetic Counseling (MS), and Public Health Genetics (MPH). Importantly, the Chair will be expected to embrace the School’s four new priorities: undergraduate education through the School’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health program; precision public health; climate and health; and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• An outstanding track record of research productivity and human and population genetics expertise, as demonstrated by extramural funding, publications, mentoring, and engagement in the fields of genetics and/or genomics.
• Experience in and commitment to the development and oversight of educational programs to train the next generation of human genetics researchers, bioinformaticians, genetic counselors, and public health genetics professionals.
• A demonstrated record in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement activities in research, teaching, and service.
• A consistent record of successful leadership, fiscal and program management, and fundraising.
• A strategic vision for short- and long-term development of the department that supports the goals of current departmental faculty, Pitt Public Health and the University of Pittsburgh.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and training junior faculty members to help them obtain grants/funding and achieve career growth.
• Demonstrated success in supporting students, with attention to financial support models, teaching opportunities, and active mentoring.
• A shared commitment to the core values of communication, collaboration, innovation, action, and equity.
• Experience in creating a collaborative, positive, and productive work environment for all personnel including faculty, staff, and students.

The Chair is a full-time faculty position. Applicants (PhD, MD, DVM, DMD, or equivalent) must have a distinguished record of research, teaching, service, and academic accomplishments that meet the criteria of the tenured professor level. Experience in human genetics/genomics research is expected, with formal training in human, population genetics and/or public health (undergraduate, graduate, and/or post doc) preferred. Experience in administration of externally supported research and training centers is desirable. Resources are available for trans- and intra-departmental program development, faculty recruitment and cross campus collaborations. Candidates from historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Applicant should apply through requisition 22003058 at www.join.pitt.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit: 1) a letter of interest that addresses their motivation to apply and summarizes professional accomplishments; 2) a one-page statement that summarizes diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and vision; 3) a research statement; 4) a teaching statement; 5) a full curriculum vitae; and 6) contact information for three referees.

For further information and details about the Department of Human Genetics go to https://publichealth.pitt.edu/hugen.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity, EOE, including disability/vets.