The College of Health (COH) at Lehigh University invites applications for two tenure track faculty positions focused on disability independence from the perspective of community health; or disability law, policy, or ethics; or data science. We are building a strategic research cluster in disability independence in order to advance the equity, wellbeing, agency, and community success of people of all ages with disabilities as defined by The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health: mobility/physical, SCI (spinal cord), TBI (head or traumatic brain injury), vision, hearing, cognitive/learning, psychological, and invisible. Applications from qualified candidates for hire at the rank of Assistant Professor will be considered. Candidates must possess an earned doctorate  in one of the following or related fields by the date of employment: community, public, or population health, the humanities, the social sciences, physical or occupational therapy, or similar.

Successful candidates will conduct interdisciplinary research studies in collaboration with health care providers and community organizations with a focus on social, cultural, behavioral, and psychological factors impacting the health and wellness of people with disabilities. Those appointed will have the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues throughout Lehigh University, including faculty creating assistive technologies, and with College of Health partners, such as Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. All COH faculty members are expected to teach introductory courses in community and population health or in biostatistics, as well as upper-level graduate and undergraduate courses in their area of expertise; mentor and advise students at the undergraduate and graduate levels; mentor junior faculty members; assist with curriculum design; and contribute to the growth of the College of Health.

Review of applications will begin October 7, and will continue until the position is filled. Fullest consideration will be given to those applicants whose materials are received by October 19. The anticipated start date is as soon as August 2024. Applicants should submit a cover letter that addresses their qualifications for this position, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, a statement on their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants should apply at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25406. For additional information please email INCOHFAC@lehigh.edu and indicate the name of the position.

Founded in 1865, Lehigh University has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. Recognized among the nation's highly ranked research universities, Lehigh offers a rigorous academic community for nearly 7,000 students. Lehigh University has some 5,000 undergraduates, 2,000 graduate students, and about 550 full-time faculty members. Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA, a vibrant and historic area. Over 820,000 people live in the Lehigh Valley, which is in close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We are committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission. Lehigh University is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation award for promoting the careers of women in academic sciences and engineering and is among institutions of higher education recognized for excellence in diversity with the INSIGHT into Diversity HEED Award. Additional information about Lehigh’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is available here. Lehigh University provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including domestic partner benefits. More information about Work/Life Balance for Faculty can be found here. Lehigh University supports dual career efforts for following spouses/partners of newly hired faculty.

BACKGROUND
At the core of the COH is a commitment to foster positive change in the communities where we live and work by promoting health equity. The mission of the COH, the newest of five colleges at Lehigh University, is to understand, preserve, and improve the health and well-being of domestic and global populations and communities with community-focused and data-driven research and education in three primary areas: population health, community health, and health innovation and technology. Our strategic plan identifies as a goal, improving health outcomes for marginalized communities in the Lehigh Valley and in Indigenous communities locally, nationally and globally. Within the College of Health, we are building a focused research team of scholars with expertise in promoting disability independence from multiple disciplinary angles.

The COH offers undergraduate majors in Community and Global Health (BA), Health, Medicine, and Society (BA), and Population Health (BS), and graduate degrees including a Master of Public Health and an MS and PhD in Population Health. As our faculty grows, the COH will add a Community Health track to our existing doctorate, an undergraduate major in Biostatistics/Health Data Science (BS), a suite of graduate degrees in Digital Health (certificate, MS, PhD), and more. The distinctive experiences of undergraduates and graduate students in the COH include an innovative curriculum, robust experiential learning opportunities, and integrated career and professional development. Lehigh University has a strong faculty commitment to excellence in teaching, and robust support for pedagogical innovation, including the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, which includes a data visualization classroom, a digital media studio, flexible, multi-screen classrooms, and DIY video and audio recording studios.

The COH is host to three research institutes: the Institute for Indigenous Studies, the Institute for Health Policy and Politics, and the Children’s Environmental Precision Health Institute. COH faculty also may participate in a variety of interdisciplinary research centers and institutes throughout the university.

The COH administrative suite is located in the Health, Science, and Technology (HST) Building, Lehigh University’s newest, state-of-the-art research facility, which opened in January 2022. The innovative, flexible, and sustainably designed facility will advance Lehigh University’s research innovation in STEM. The innovative design of the building encourages interdisciplinary collaboration; develops functional neighborhoods that create a model of intensity and productivity; and engages the campus community by bringing the public into the building. Interested applicants are invited to review the College of Health website and the newly adopted Lehigh University Strategic Plan.

Faculty Employment Prospectus