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INTRODUCTION

The Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor in Residence in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS). This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track appointment with an expected start date of August 23, 2021. 

Medical Laboratory Sciences (formerly Medical Technology) has been a major at UConn for over forty years, offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) and a post-baccalaureate certificate in MLS.  In 2014, the MLS program transitioned from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited hospital-based program to a NAACLS accredited university-based program.  The program is an important contributor to addressing state and regional workforce needs in clinical laboratory sciences.  

Allied Health Sciences is one of eight academic departments in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). It is a large, vibrant, multidisciplinary department dedicated to advancing knowledge through research, teaching, advising, and community engagement. With 30 faculty, over 750 undergraduates (40% of whom are non-white), 30 post-baccalaureate students, and 30 graduate students, we actively engage in educating and training the next generation of health professionals. The Department offers an undergraduate major in Allied Health Sciences with multiple concentrations; three nationally accredited professional programs; four post-baccalaureate programs, two master’s programs; and a PhD program in Health Promotion Sciences.  Departmental faculty conduct grant-funded research in obesity, HIV/AIDS, digital health, behavioral genomics, nutrition, food policy, health disparities, cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, women’s health, big data and research methodologies, and public/community-engaged health. Diversity is one of UConn’s core values, and our Department strives to be an inclusive educational institution that attracts, retains, and values talented people from all backgrounds.

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. The successful candidate will be expected to make significant contributions to one of CAHNR’s four strategic initiatives

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply  
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally  
• Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces  
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate  

The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be based in the Medical Laboratory Sciences program as a full faculty member in the Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS).  The appointment will be 85% teaching and 15% research.  Primary responsibility will be teaching courses and advising students in the MLS program, with possible opportunity for teaching at the graduate level.  Engaging in scholarly activities and participating in professional service are also expected under the position.  There will be opportunity to contribute to the design and development of growth initiatives in the MLS program.  The successful candidate will work under the advisement of program and department leadership, and function effectively as a team member with faculty and staff in clinical laboratory science programs (MLS and Diagnostic Genetic Sciences) and the Department.  

As Assistant Professor in Residence, the successful candidate will:

• Teach undergraduate classes and lab sections in the Department and MLS program as well as participate in team-teaching graduate classes in traditional and online courses.
• Participate in investigator-initiated or collaborative research in their area of expertise.
• Collaborate with clinical affiliates and supervise activities when students participate in clinical rotations.
• Broaden participation among members of under-represented groups by demonstrating the richness of diversity in research, teaching, and/or public engagement and integrating multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools.
• Provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.
• Participate in the MLS program and Department recruitment and orientation of new students, which may include occasional weekend/evening hours.
• Serve as a resource and maintain cooperative relationships with Department faculty and staff, and other University offices, making referrals as appropriate.
• Participate in an active program of professional development consistent with personal and professional goals.
• Share a deep commitment to effective instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, to the development of innovative courses; and, to the mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development.
• Advise and mentor MLS students and participate in the shared service responsibilities (committees, faculty meetings, retreats, etc.) expected of all faculty in the Department.
• Participate in Department and College service and scholarly activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Doctorate in health-related field or higher education; or terminal degree (Master’s or higher) in health-related field
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a relevant clinical laboratory
• Previous teaching experience in an institution of higher education, demonstrating excellence in teaching,
• Demonstrated excellence to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including small group and/or large group presentations and demonstrating interpersonal relationship skills and strategies
• Hold nationally recognized Medical Technology or MLS certification (e.g., ASCP Board of Certification)
• Proven record of scholarly productivity with demonstrated potential to establish a successful research program
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong commitment and value for promoting and supporting diverse and inclusive educational and research programming
• Experience in integrating technology into instruction and/or conducting online instruction

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Doctorate in health-related field
• Relevant clinical laboratory experience in microbiology, parasitology, and/or mycology
• Engagement in health promotion research that contributes to current departmental research initiatives integrating multiple levels, from basic biological (e.g., biomarkers) to individual behavioral, in addressing chronic disease
• Experience advising or mentoring clinical laboratory science students
• Ability to enhance the curriculum within the Department of Allied Health Sciences and/or MLS program
• Experience in understanding and contributing to cultures of inclusive excellence, including working with those who have historically experienced barriers to achieving health and well-being due to their race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, geographic location, or other characteristics linked to discrimination or exclusion
• Experience in MLS education that includes classroom and laboratory teaching, conducting, and managing learning experiences, evaluating student achievement, and contributing to curriculum development
• Knowledge of current accreditation/certification procedures relevant for MLS programs to meet NAACLS accreditation standards

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 9-month, full-time faculty position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2021.  It is a non-tenure track appointment that is eligible for promotion to Associate Professor in Residence and Professor in Residence.  This appointment is renewable annually and may lead to successive multi-year contracts.  The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the MLS program at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18135 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Teaching and advising statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Three (3) letters of reference.

Only applications submitted via Academic Jobs Online will be accepted. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than March 3, 2021. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  For more information regarding the Department of Allied Health Sciences please visit the department website at https://alliedhealth.uconn.edu/.

Inquiries should be sent to the search committee chair, Lauren Wilson (Lauren.Wilson@UConn.edu).

Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.