POSITION: Assistant/Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention (75% Extension and 25% Research), 12-month fiscal year tenure-track appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences https://www.fcs.uga.edu.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Provide leadership for UGA Extension nutrition and chronic disease efforts at the state and national level.
• Provide regular in-service training to UGA Extension personnel and additional training to other Extension personnel and stakeholders at the state, regional, and national level in the area of human nutrition and chronic disease prevention
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based and research-informed educational programs and materials for county Extension agents and personnel to use to deliver community-based education programs, particularly in populations with health disparities, related to general nutrition and the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention in topic areas that expand our reach, including, but not limited to bone, cardiovascular, maternal, and cognitive health
• Revise existing Extension nutrition and health program content and materials and existing program assessment tools, as needed
• Direct involvement in applied research, interaction with researchers and health practitioners,participation in technical conferences, and engagement in other professional development activities to expand one’s own knowledge base and competencies in the subject areas stated above

• Secure external funding as the PI or Co-PI to support research, Extension and outreach endeavors
• Present research and Extension findings at national conferences
• Publish research and Extension findings in peer-reviewed journals
• Serve as major advisor for graduate students and secure external funding to support graduate assistantships
• Collaborate with Nutritional Sciences faculty and other Cooperative Extension Specialists on interdisciplinary programming

• Contribute to activities that serve the department, college, university, Extension, the public, and the profession, including support for 4-H Youth Development projects and programs and professional development organizations in the Extension and nutrition disciplines.

 QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered for the position of Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention, the applicant must hold an earned doctoral degree (upon appointment) in nutrition, public health, or a related field; demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively on Extension programs; and show evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.

The applicant should have demonstrated scholarly competence and research productivity, or the potential for such. The applicant must be credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetics. To be considered for the position of Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in in Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention, the applicant should meet the above qualifications; have attained tenure at a comparable university or have at least four years of experience at the Assistant Professor rank; show evidence of a high quality Extension and research publication record; demonstrate a record of success with external funding; and demonstrate an outstanding record of research productivity. To be considered for the Associate Professor level, candidates should demonstrate clear and convincing evidence of emerging stature as a regional or national authority as appropriate for the position. To be eligible for tenure on appointment, candidates must be appointed as an Associate Professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrably national reputation to the institution. Any request for tenure upon appointment must be approved before hire. Faculty expectations for Promotion in the College of Family & Consumer Sciences (FACS), Department of Foods & Nutrition are summarized at: https://provost.uga.edu/_resources/documents/Foods_and_Nutrition_2015.pdf

THE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE AND DEPARTMENT: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences is committed to student success, holistic development and inclusive perspective taking. FACS develops leaders who focus on the science and art of helping individuals live well in a complex society. The Department of Nutritional Sciences is one of four departments in the College. The Department has 25 faculty including 3 tenure-track Extension Specialists, 379 undergraduate students majoring in Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics, and Culinary Science and Nutrition, and FACS Education as well as 30 graduate students in the PhD and MS thesis graduate degree programs and 40 in the non-thesis MS degree programs including the on-line MS program in Community Nutrition. The Department has strong ties and opportunities for interdisciplinary research programs with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Animal and Dairy Sciences, Kinesiology, Pharmacy, Food Science and Technology, Public Health, Veterinary Medicine, Gerontology, Psychology, the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute https://bhsi.uga.edu/ and others. The University of Georgia is one of four institutions of the NIH funded Georgia Clinical & Translational Alliance which leverages complementary strengths to accelerate clinical and translational research http://georgiactsa.org/ . The Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU) https://ctru.uga.edu/ located on the UGA Health Sciences Campus, supports investigators to conduct clinical and translational studies. The CTRU is an initiative of the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership and the UGA Office of Research.

Through funding from UGA Extension http://extension.uga.edu/ and FACS, department-based specialists in cooperation with county-based agents of the College of Agricultural and the Environmental Sciences http://www.caes.uga.edu/ extend lifelong learning to the people of Georgia through research-based education in agriculture, the environment, communities, youth and families. FACS Extension helps Georgians become healthier, more productive, financially independent and environmentally responsible. Extension specialists and agents stay in touch with issues relevant to people in local communities through county Extension offices.

THE COMMUNITY: The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. Athens offers a rich cultural environment interconnected with the university and is perennially identified as one of America’s most livable cities. Additional information can be found at: http://www.visitathensga.com/about-athens/.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. Information regarding fringe benefits may be viewed at http://www.hr.uga.edu.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: August 1, 2023

APPLICATIONS DEADLINE: Applicant screening will begin immediately. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected; however, to be assured of a complete review, candidates should submit their application materials by January 1, 2023.

The application packet must include a cover letter of interest that details how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs of the position as well as responsibilities and qualifications detailed in the posting; a current curriculum vitae; a diversity and inclusion statement; and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant. All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at:

https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/293478

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. As such, UGA is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (HRWeb@uga.edu). Please do not contact the department search committee with such requests.

Confidential requests for information may be directed to:
Ali Berg, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor and Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist
Chair, Search Committee
alisoncberg@uga.edu 

The applicant must hold an earned doctoral degree (upon appointment) in nutrition, public health, or a related field; demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively on Extension programs; and show evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.

The applicant should have demonstrated scholarly competence and research productivity, or the potential for such. The applicant must be credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetics.