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 Lecturer in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences. This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track appointment with an expected start date of August 23, 2021. 

The Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program (DGS) in the Department of Allied Health Sciences is an educational and clinical training program in genetics and genomics. Graduates of the Program contribute to the workforce in Connecticut and the nation, filling critical roles as skilled laboratorians. Our graduates are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam. Certification is recommended/required by most clinical genetics laboratories. The Program offers a two plus two plan of undergraduate study and an 18-month post-baccalaureate degree certificate. The Program has accreditation under the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). 

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 Diagnostic Genetic Sciences (DGS) program as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS). The position is a teaching appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching lectures, laboratory and seminar courses, along with a role in student advising and recruitment activities in the DGS program. Engaging in scholarly activities and participating in professional service are also expected under the position. 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 (DGS and Medical Laboratory Sciences) and the Department. The faculty member will regularly communicate with the Program Director as it relates to student progress and curriculum.

As Lecturer, the successful candidate will:

• Teach undergraduate classes and lab sections in the Department and DGS program.
• Contribute to the design and development of growth initiatives in the DGS program that are aligned with evolving workforce needs.
• Collaborate with clinical affiliates and supervise activities when students participate in clinical rotations.
• Provide engaging opportunities for 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 DGS 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.
• Participate in an active program of professional development consistent with personal and professional goals.
• Share a deep commitment to effective instruction, to the development of innovative courses, and to the mentoring of students in outreach and professional development.
• Advise and mentor DGS 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 

• Master’s degree in genetics, genomics, or related field
• Current certification in Molecular Biology – MB(ASCP) or Cytogenetics – CG(ASCP)
• 3 years of teaching experience in higher education in genetics/genomics-related courses
• Relevant clinical laboratory experience
• Demonstrated excellence in effective communication, both verbally and in writing, including small group and/or large group presentations, and excellence in interpersonal relationship skills and strategies
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Doctoral degree in a genomics-related field
• Experience in traditional and online instruction in higher education including integrating technology into instruction
• Experience with cutting-edge techniques (e.g. NGS, digital PCR, genome editing)
• At least 3 years of relevant clinical laboratory experience in the most recent 15 years
• Experience with bioinformatics 
• Engagement in professional organizations
• Experience advising or mentoring students
• 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

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 renewal annually and may lead to successive multi-year contracts. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the DGS 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/18454 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching and advising statement (including teaching/advising philosophy, teaching/advising 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 May 9, 2021. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries should be sent to the search committee chair, Denise Anamani, via email (Denise.Anamani@UConn.edu).

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 will be 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.