Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences

Assistant Professor, Tenure-track Position

The Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences (HBNS) in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of Delaware (UD) seeks an innovative and highly motivated candidate for a 9-month, Assistant Professor level, tenure-track faculty appointment in the Nutrition program, focusing on nutritional genomics/genetics, to join an award-winning faculty.

The candidate must have earned a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D. or equivalent) and have postdoctoral and/or faculty experience in a relevant field such as nutrition science, nutritional biology, or nutritional genomics. The candidate is expected to establish an active program of research and examine the intersection of nutrition and genomics/genetics. Primary responsibilities include leading a nationally visible, extramural-funded research program; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to macronutrient metabolism, micronutrient metabolism and nutritional genomics/genetics; supervising master’s and doctoral students; and contributing to service activities within and outside of the University. HBNS is interested in candidates who can teach or mentor a diverse student population. Faculty candidates are encouraged to describe their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teaching, research, and service.

GENERAL INFORMATION: HBNS (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/hbns/) is a thriving academic unit of over 30 faculty, approximately 750 undergraduate students and 60 graduate students. The Department includes undergraduate programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition and Medical Sciences, and Nutrition and Health Behavior Science. Graduate programs include a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science, M.S. in Human Nutrition, M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship, Ph.D. in Health Behavior Science and Promotion, M.S. in Health Promotion, a post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship certificate, and a post-baccalaureate Health Coaching certificate via the Health Coaching Clinic. HBNS is known for rapidly growing research, dynamic teaching, student engagement, and departmental collaborations. The Nutrition Clinic provides medical nutrition therapy services to the community while engaging in innovative research initiatives and training students to be future nutrition professionals. The Health Coaching Clinic provides health coaching services for individuals throughout their life, serves as a clinical site for training health coaches in the Graduate Certificate program in Health Coaching, a practicum/internship site for Health Behavior Science undergraduates, and supports innovative research in health coaching. 

The College of Health Sciences is a dynamic, innovative academic unit with more than 3,400 undergraduate and graduate students and 131 faculty, who are nationally recognized leaders across multiple disciplines. The College is housed in multiple buildings on the traditional main campus, but also is an anchor tenant of the University’s Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus. STAR has become an exciting center that combines business, research and education, focused on leading topics in health science, biopharmaceuticals, data science, engineering, finance and other cross-cutting fields of study. In addition to Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, the College has six additional academic units, including Communication Sciences and Disorders, Epidemiology, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (ranked #5 according to the National Academy of Kinesiology), Medical and Molecular Sciences, Physical Therapy (ranked #1 by US News and World Report), and the School of Nursing. With annual research expenditures of approximately $19.5 million, the college currently houses a number of large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and DoD. The college boasts strong research teams in the areas of neurological disorders, cardiovascular health, and other chronic disease conditions, as well as rehabilitation science and concussion.

One of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, the University of Delaware has a rich history of contributing scientific insights and new ideas, fostering enlightenment, transforming lives and changing the world. Today under the leadership of President Dennis Assanis, the University is committed to building on this legacy to meet the complex challenges facing the globe. The University’s foremost priority remains to ensure the success of every student, and this commitment dates back to our roots as a small private academy founded in 1743. From that early school, which educated three signers of the Declaration of Independence, UD has grown into a research-intensive, technologically advanced institution that is at the forefront of innovation in the classroom, in the laboratory and in the community.

Located in scenic Newark, Delaware, within 2 hours of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., the University is a Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Carnegie Research University (with very high research activity, a designation accorded to fewer than 3% of degree-granting institutions in the U.S.), and with external funding exceeding $200 million. A state-assisted, privately governed institution, the University enrolls approximately 18,600 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:  Compensation packages are competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Faculty at the University have regularly received annual cost-of-living and merit salary increases, and the benefits package is one of the best in the nation. Relocation and start-up funds are available and negotiable. 

TO APPLY: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission. Applicants should upload a letter of application that describes their research, teaching, service and approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references. The letter of application and CV will be shared with the search committee. For information contact Carly Pacanowski, PhD, RD, Search Committee Chair, at cpacanow@udel.edu; 1.302.831.1109.

The University of Delaware is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and Title IX institution. For the University’s complete non-discrimination statement, please visit www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html