University of Connecticut Hiring for Instructor or Assistant Professor in Residence at Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut Full Time

Instructor or Assistant Professor in Residence, Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program, Department of Allied Health Sciences
The Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a faculty appointment as Instructor or Assistant Professor in Residence in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences.  Academic rank will depend on a candidate’s qualifications.  This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track appointment with an expected start date of August 23, 2024.

The Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program (DGS) in the Department of Allied Health Sciences is an educational and clinical training program in genetics and genomics. Graduates of the Program contribute to the workforce in Connecticut and the nation, filling critical roles as skilled laboratorians. Our graduates are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam. Certification is recommended/required by most clinical genetics laboratories. The Program offers a two plus two plan of undergraduate study and an 18-month post-baccalaureate degree certificate. The Program has accreditation under the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).

Allied Health Sciences is one of eight academic departments in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR). It is a large, vibrant, multidisciplinary department dedicated to advancing knowledge through research, teaching, advising, and community engagement. With more than 30 faculty, over 800 undergraduates (40% of whom are non-white), 15 post-baccalaureate students, and 40 graduate students, we actively engage in educating and training the next generation of health professionals. The Department offers an undergraduate major in Allied Health Sciences with multiple concentrations; three nationally accredited professional programs; four post-baccalaureate programs, two master’s programs; and a PhD program in Health Promotion Sciences. Departmental faculty conduct grant-funded research in obesity, HIV/AIDS, digital health, behavioral genomics, nutrition, food policy, health disparities, cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, women’s health, big data and research methodologies, and public/community-engaged health. Diversity is one of UConn’s core values, and our Department strives to be an inclusive educational institution that attracts, retains, and values talented people from all backgrounds.

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. The successful candidate will be expected to make significant contributions to at least one of CAHNR’s five strategic initiatives
•    Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply  
•    Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally  
•    Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through anti-racist approaches
•    Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces  
•    Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate  
 
 
Founded in 1881, the University of Connecticut (UConn) is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution, a member of the Space Grant Consortium, and among the top public universities in the nation.  The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate and professional students.  UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engagement in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of its communities by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond.  Learn more at uconn.edu

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will be based in the Diagnostic Genetic Sciences (DGS) program as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS). The position is a teaching appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching lectures, laboratory, and seminar courses, along with a role in student advising and recruitment activities in the DGS program. Engaging in scholarly activities and participating in professional service are also expected under the position. The successful candidate will work under the advisement of program and department leadership, and function effectively as a team member with faculty and staff in clinical laboratory science programs (DGS and Medical Laboratory Sciences) and the department. The faculty member will regularly communicate with the Program Director as it relates to student progress and curriculum.
As a faculty member, the successful candidate will:

•    Teach undergraduate classes and lab sections in the Department and DGS program.
•    Contribute to the design and development of growth initiatives in the DGS program that are aligned with evolving workforce needs.
•    Collaborate with clinical affiliates and supervise activities when students participate in clinical rotations.
•    Provide engaging opportunities for members of under-represented groups by demonstrating the richness of diversity in research, teaching, and/or public engagement and integrating multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools.
•    Provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.
•    Participate in the DGS program and Department recruitment and orientation of new students, which may include occasional weekend/evening hours.
•    Serve as a resource and maintain cooperative relationships with Department faculty and staff, and other University offices.
•    Participate in an active program of professional development consistent with personal and professional goals.
•    Share a deep commitment to effective instruction, to the development of innovative courses, and to the mentoring of students in outreach and professional development.
•    Advise and mentor DGS students and participate in the shared service responsibilities (committees, faculty meetings, retreats, etc.) expected of all faculty in the Department.
•    Participate in Department and College service and scholarly activities.
•    Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
•    Master’s degree in genetics, genomics, or related field
•    Current certification in Molecular Biology – MB(ASCP) or Cytogenetics – CG(ASCP)
•    Teaching experiences and activities in courses, trainings, and/or presentations related to genomics or laboratory science 
•    Relevant clinical laboratory experience
•    Demonstrated excellence in effective communication, both verbally and in writing, including small group and/or large group presentations, and excellence in interpersonal relationship skills and strategies
•    Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Doctoral degree in a genomics-related field
•    3 years of teaching experience in higher education in genetics/genomics-related courses
•    Experience in traditional and online instruction in higher education including integrating technology into instruction
•    Experience with cutting-edge techniques (e.g., NGS, digital PCR, genome editing)
•    At least 3 years of relevant clinical laboratory experience in the most recent 15 years
•    Experience with bioinformatics
•    Engagement in professional organizations
•    Experience advising or mentoring students
•    Experience in understanding and contributing to cultures of inclusive excellence, including working with those who have historically experienced barriers to achieving health and well- being due to their race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, geographic location, or other characteristics linked to discrimination or exclusion

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 9-month, full-time faculty position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2024. It is a non- tenure track appointment that is eligible for renewal annually and may lead to successive multi-year contracts. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the DGS program at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.