The Schleifer Family Professor in Nutrition and The Director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences   Cornell University

The opportunity 

The Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University seeks a visionary leader who leads in a climate of collaboration, transparency, and shared governance, has a desire to foster the intellectual and career development of faculty, and has a vision to capitalize on the growing national and international opportunities in the field of nutrition. The Division plays a leading role in national and international nutrition research, teaching, and public engagement that takes advantage of Cornell University’s extensive and diverse academic community. The Division is a multidisciplinary unit that includes faculty in both the College of Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Focal areas for faculty research include precision nutrition, metabolism, lifecycle nutrition, microbiome and nutrient interactions, food and nutrition systems, health equity, and social and behavioral nutrition.  

This tenure-track position will be hired at the rank of full professor. Applicants should have an internationally recognized research program in nutrition or a health-related field. Candidates should present a creative vision for the future direction of the field of nutrition as an academic discipline and have a record of leadership and participation in academic affairs.  Candidates should also display an active commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as evidence of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach.  

The Division is a highly interdisciplinary unit that influences the field of nutrition through the discovery of new knowledge, the training of scholars in nutritional sciences, and the translation of evidence to policy and practice at the national and international levels.  The Division is home to Cornell Cooperative Extension nutrition programs for limited‐resource populations in New York State, including the NYS Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. In addition, the Division is the only nutrition‐focused Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization and is an Affiliate Center in the Cochrane US Network. 

The undergraduate program of the Division enrolls 750 students in four majors (Nutrition; Human Biology, Health, and Society; Global and Public Health Sciences, and Biological Sciences with a concentration in nutrition).  The Division also supports two university‐wide minors that together include 90 students and an undergraduate didactic program in dietetics as well as a dietetic internship program. The Division is home to the Graduate Field of Nutrition, which includes 64 candidates for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and the Ph.D. combined with the R.D. credential.  As a reflection of the interdisciplinary nature of DNS and the collaborative nature of the broader Cornell faculty, faculty members have joint appointments with other departments and belong to many other graduate fields, and centers and institutes across Cornell. 

Position summary 

This position is a nine‐month, full‐salaried tenured position at the rank of endowed full professor. 

The primary responsibilities of the Director include providing vision, leadership, and oversight of the Division’s instructional, research and public‐engagement programs, managing the Division’s annual budget, and working closely with the Division’s administrative staff to ensure a workplace that is supportive of faculty, staff, and students. The Director also plays a key role in campus‐wide, national, and international initiatives related to nutrition and health. The Division Director reports to the Deans of the Colleges of Human Ecology and Agriculture and Life Sciences. 

The next Director will be an internationally known scholar with an active, externally funded research program and a substantial record of publication in recognized peer‐reviewed publications. Candidates are expected to be leaders in their disciplines and interested in advancing the understanding of the connection between nutrition and health. An interest in, and commitment to teaching and educational programs at the undergraduate and/or graduate level is also required. The ideal candidate will have the ability to balance administration, research, teaching, and public engagement. Applicants are also expected to have administrative leadership experience, an ability to lead strategically and collaboratively and to communicate effectively with diverse groups, including students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. 

Qualifications 

The candidate is expected to have: 

A Ph.D., Sc.D., Dr.P.H. and/or M.D. or equivalent degree in nutrition or in a discipline related to nutrition, such as (but not limited to) biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics, metabolism, systems biology, epidemiology, public health, social and behavioral sciences, medicine, physiology, and immunology. 

Demonstrated scholarship related to nutrition and human health, in the broadest sense, should be central to the candidate’s research program. 

Administrative leadership experience, knowledge about the current challenges facing higher education, and the ability to work in a complex organizational and administrative environment. 

Experience mentoring faculty and fostering collaborative research. 

An interest in building academic and administrative linkages among DNS program areas, and with other departments and centers throughout the university. 

 Responsibilities 

The candidate is expected to: 

Perform the administrative activities commensurate with being the director of an academic program, collaboratively leading the Division as it carries out its mission, managing the Division’s budget, supervising faculty and staff, overseeing the Division’s educational, research and public engagement programs, and representing the Division at the College and University levels; 

Maintain a vigorous, cutting‐edge research program that is externally funded; 

Demonstrate a commitment to the Division of Nutritional Sciences’ graduate and undergraduate teaching programs. 

 Mentor graduate students and advise undergraduate students. 

Forge professional relationships within the Division of Nutritional Sciences and other academic units on campus, and 

Support the Alumni Affairs and Development efforts in both colleges by showcasing the research, teaching, and public engagement of the Division to promote DNS nationally and internationally. 

The Division of Nutritional Sciences, and the College of Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell embrace diversity and seek candidates who will create a climate that attracts faculty, staff and students of all races, nationalities, and genders. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply. In addition, Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual‐ career couples, has a dual‐career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual‐career searches. 

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should provide a cover letter that describes their interests and qualifications for this position, their curriculum vitae, a statement of career goals and research interests, and a statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Contact information for references is requested, but will only be used, with permission, for finalists. These items should be submitted to Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23214 .

As part of the university's comprehensive vaccination program, all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.

New hires are required to provide documentation showing primary vaccination status (that is, completion of two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one shot of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) before their first day of work. If a new hire's vaccination is not complete or information is not received by their start date, the first day of work will be delayed. It is possible in some cases that an offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.