Department: Dean, Optometry

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Description:

The University of Houston College of Optometry, in collaboration with the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, seeks an outstanding investigator to join the faculty in the Department of Clinical Sciences in the College of Optometry (http://www.opt.uh.edu/). This is a joint appointment, tenure-track position for a promising assistant or associate professor. The successful candidate is expected to conduct a nationally recognized, externally funded collaborative health research program.

Candidates with expertise in applied epidemiology will lead the development of a clinical research coordinating center in collaboration with biostatisticians, clinician scientists, health IT specialists, and other clinical research support staff. Candidates should have experience with basic clinical research design and methodology, clinical trials, health systems evaluations, implementation of new evidence-based practices, and late-stage translational research. The applicant would teach topics that could include basic principles of epidemiology, public health, health systems, evidence-based clinical practice, and population health in the college of optometry and/or college of medicine.

The Presidential Frontier Faculty program is a university-wide integrated interdisciplinary faculty hiring campaign initiated by the Office of the Provost and Division of Research. The program encompasses hiring a large cohort of convergence research faculty to respond to federal priorities and societal challenges. Faculty in the PFF Program will participate in organized mentoring programs, collaboration workshops, networking events, and will visit federal funding agencies on a yearly basis. PFF faculty will be intensively trained in proposal development and writing at the highest level.

The successful applicant will join an innovative group of researchers studying health across a wide translational spectrum using a variety of approaches ranging from molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease to population health interventions. The research program is supported by a P30 core grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI), which provides technical support for instrumentation and optical design, programming and application development, biostatistics, histology, and biomedical imaging capabilities. A T35 training grant also supports research training for professional students. A large and varied patient base provides opportunities for patient-based investigations. Existing biomedical research strengths within the College, University and the neighboring Texas Medical Center provide a unique environment for collaboration. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration by the committee, applications should be received by February 15, 2025.  Interested candidates may contact Dr. David Berntsen, Dept. Chair of Clinical Science at DBerntsen@Central.UH.EDU, should there be any additional questions.

This position is part of the Presidential Frontier Faculty (PFF) initiative. Please visit https://uh.edu/provost/faculty/faculty-resources/prospective-faculty/ to apply.

The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples.

Qualifications:

Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D., or equivalent degree, postdoctoral experience, and a record of high productivity at their current rank. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and the startup package will be competitive.

Required Attachments by Candidate:
Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Research Statement