Associate Professor - Public Health Sciences

Tenured/Tenure-Line Associate Professor position in the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA.

About the role

The Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) seeks a highly collaborative researcher with expertise in infectious disease epidemiology to conduct independent and team-based research. Interest in teaching is required, and experience teaching graduate-level courses is preferred.

PHS comprises three academic divisions: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Epidemiology, and Health Services and Behavioral Research. The department provides comprehensive infrastructure for faculty, the College, and Penn State Health, including expertise in biostatistics, study design, data management, research computing, project management, and finance and administration.

PHS offers graduate programs including the PhD in Epidemiology, PhD in Biostatistics, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Research, and Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security with an option in Public Health Preparedness, as well as several graduate certificate programs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and team-based research in infectious disease epidemiology, with a focus on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and other emerging or re-emerging infectious threats.
• Advance understanding of the epidemiology, prevention, and clinical management of STIs.
• Evaluate disparities in infectious disease burden across rural and urban communities.
• Improve public health surveillance, diagnostic practices, and access to testing and treatment.
• Integrate epidemiologic methods with clinical, community-based, or health system–based research, such as assessing public health policy impacts, analyzing diagnostic and screening practices, addressing social determinants of infectious disease transmission, or informing health equity initiatives.
• Collaborate with public health agencies, develop or evaluate diagnostic tools, or translate epidemiologic findings into interventions for health departments, clinics, or community partners.
• Dedicate approximately 80% effort to research, 15% to teaching and mentoring, and 5% to service.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in epidemiology or a related discipline.
• Track record of scholarly activity in infectious disease epidemiology, including leadership of NIH-funded studies.
• Established, externally funded research program in infectious disease epidemiology.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• Generous 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children.

Employment requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.