Department Chair & Professor of Molecular Metabolism at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Title: Department Chair & Professor of Molecular Metabolism

School: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Department_Area: Molecular Metabolism

Position Description: The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Harvard Chan School) invites applications for the position of Department Chair and tenured Professor in the Department of Molecular Metabolism ( MET ). We seek an innovative scholar and visionary leader to direct a diverse, multidisciplinary department with a history of exceptional research and training. The successful applicant will have an outstanding record of academic and research accomplishments, demonstrated leadership and administrative abilities, and a compelling vision for the department.

The Department and School
MET faculty lead mechanistic investigations of metabolic regulation as it pertains to physiology and disease, including the metabolic alterations underlying the most wide-spread, non-communicable diseases affecting human health globally, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Our researchers conduct pioneering studies into the causes of these complex human disorders, including the molecular and physiological impact of genetics, nutrition, and age. The overarching aims of our research is are to develop and utilize innovative technologies to transform our understanding of mechanistic differences between states of wellness and disease into novel approaches to address the major challenges to global public health. As the major hub of metabolism research at Harvard, our unique community provides a myriad of resources and collaborative opportunities within Harvard-affiliated schools and hospitals, along with other world-class institutions in the Boston area.

The Candidate

We seek an innovative and skilled leader of MET . The successful candidate will advance the department's mission by fostering and expanding research activities, enriching the educational mission and trainee experience, recruiting and mentoring early-career faculty, and providing strategic and tactical leadership at the levels of the department, School, and University. The candidate will also be able to articulate a long-term vision for the future of the department in order to address existing and anticipated academic and research needs and to advance public health around the world and around the corner. As part of a world-class team of deans and department chairs, the chair of Molecular Metabolism will work laterally and vertically to solve both broadly shared and distinctly local challenges and to advance the School's mission of improving health and promoting equity so all people can thrive. The incumbent will meet these goals in part through exhibiting strength in the following areas:

Science

• An outstanding, sustained research program in one or more areas related to the department's focus, including, but not limited to, integrated physiology, nutritional biochemistry, aging and longevity, cancer metabolism, environmental metabolism, exercise physiology, metabolic engineering and systems approaches to metabolism.
• A commitment to mentor and train the best new scientists and develop the next generation of scientific leaders.
• An outstanding record of competitive fundraising and support for individual, collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Dean and senior faculty to set high-level programmatic direction, including in overarching strategic direction and new and existing research initiatives across all departmental programs and endeavors.
• Foster a positive and supportive work environment that encourages innovation and interdisciplinary as well as interinstitutional collaboration.

Leadership and Administration

• Provide visionary leadership to the department and skills in defining, prioritizing and measuring effectiveness of key programs.
• Oversee and manage departmental operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning; and support a culture of research compliance.
• Set clear and consistent goals for department faculty, staff, administrators, trainees, and non-faculty researchers; and foster a collaborative, diverse and inclusive culture within the department and School.
• Oversee strategic recruitment of new faculty members that will strengthen the focus of the department on critical issues.
• In partnership with the Dean and senior leadership, lead the department's faculty, core committees, and flagship programs to manage change and navigate growth.

Communication

• Create and model strong working relationships with programmatic and administrative leadership, faculty committees, affiliates, peer institutions, and external partners to support execution of programmatic initiatives.
• Represent the department to key audiences across the School, University, and beyond, clearly articulating strategic objectives and key impacts, and emphasizing its unique value to both the institution, Harvard-wide priorities, and the world
• Play a key role in engagement with alumni and donors and support fundraising for the department and School.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, MD) with scholarly expertise in relevant areas of research and successful record of competitive fund-raising
• Outstanding scientific record and vision to carry out innovative science research
• Forward-thinking leadership skills and outstanding communication skills; Ability to prioritize within an organizationally, intellectually, and financially complex environment; demonstrated flexibility to pivot in response to unforeseen events while maintaining core priorities and meeting critical benchmarks
• Deep commitment to diversity and inclusion in and across all dimensions of research, training, and public health practice
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of judgment; ability to have difficult conversations, to address and mediate conflict, and to provide highly customized mentorship across a diverse community

Additional Qualifications: At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, beliefs, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Key facts about the School

University and School faculty policies

Relevant employee benefits for faculty

Work/Life resources

Special Instructions: Applications will close on December 15, 2024 but will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Contact Information: Megan Marchese | Faculty Affairs Project Manager

Office of Faculty Affairs | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

marchese@hsph.harvard.edu

Contact Email: marchese@hsph.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required: 4



Supplemental Questions: Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. How did you hear about this position?
   • Academic Careers online
   • Bay State Banner
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Harvard Department Website
   • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
   • HigherEdJobs
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • Nomination Letter
   • Professional Conference
   • Professional Organization or Listserv
   • Referred by a colleague

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