Position Available

Assistant Professor, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity-Related Research

Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
In a partnership with Carilion Biomedical Institute and Carilion Clinic

(posted 03/26/08)

Position:

The Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech in a partnership with the Carilion Biomedical Institute and the Carilion Clinic is pleased to announce the availability of a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor; 90% research, 10% teaching; salary commensurate with qualifications. Applicants with outstanding credentials could be considered at a higher rank. The successful candidate will be a regular member of the faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise and occupy new state-of-the-art laboratory and office space in the Riverside Center in Roanoke, VA.

Description and Responsibilities:

An outstanding individual with advanced training and experience in conducting interventions physical activity, nutrition, and/or weight management interventions is sought to complement a growing team of scientists with a diverse range of expertise. Individuals with expertise in the discovery and/or dissemination of sustainable system-based approaches are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will be expected to build on existing strengths in basic, applied and translational obesity-related research and increase extramural funding and training through interdisciplinary initiatives. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is in the process of filling the remaining of 8 faculty positions for a cluster hire in obesity-related research. Research interests should be focused on the role of physical activity and/or nutrition in prevention and/or management of obesity and related disorders. Because the VT-Carilion collaboration emphasizes the integration of basic/clinical research with healthcare delivery, faculty will develop new partnerships among patients, healthcare providers and academic researchers. The successful applicant will be expected to build on existing strengths in basic, applied and translational obesity-related research and increase extramural funding and training through interdisciplinary initiatives.

The Institute for Biomedical and Public Health Sciences at Virginia Tech has identified obesity-related research as one of its two major initiatives and will have substantial resources available to Virginia Tech faculty actively involved in obesity-related research. Many other collaborative opportunities exist at Virginia Tech including the Departments of Biochemistry, Animal and Poultry Science, Chemistry, Psychology, the Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Qualifications:

Required
• Ph.D., or equivalent • Expertise in design, conduct and analysis of randomized controlled trials involving physical activity and/or nutrition interventions • Demonstrated potential for excellence in research and teaching • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting

Desired: • Postdoctoral training and experience • M.D. or R.D. • Active competitive funding • Advanced degree in nutrition or exercise science • Training in health psychology, health behavior/education, epidemiology or public health • Experience working in weight management programs and/or working collaboratively with clinicians • Expertise in conducting controlled exercise and/or feeding studies • Demonstrate an understanding of the need to balance internal and external validity within their program of research. • History of high quality peer reviewed publications

Applications:

Applicant screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Kevin P. Davy, Ph.D., Search Chair. Phone: (540) 231-4640. Email: kdavy@vt.edu. Applications should be submitted online to https://jobs.vt.edu (Position # 080035). Applicants must include a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research and teaching interests highlighting accomplishments in each, a vision for collaborative obesity research with specific goals and how collaborative research would help to achieve those goals, and the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three individuals providing references.

Three letters of reference should be sent to:

Lisa Shires
Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
338 Wallace Hall
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-4640
lshires@vt.edu

Virginia Tech, a land-grant University and largest research extensive University in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is located approximately 45 miles west of Roanoke in the scenic hills of southwestern Virginia. There are 21,000 full-time residential undergraduates and 6,250 graduate and professional students enrolled both on- and off-campus throughout the state.

Carilion Clinic, headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia is an integrated multispecialty clinic consisting of seven hospitals, employing over 440 physicians, a multi-state clinical laboratory, and a complement of outpatient centers. Carilion serves as the medical hub for southwestern Virginia with over 1,400 licensed beds, annual hospital admissions of 52,000 and approximately 1 million combined patient visits per year. Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech are collaborating on the development of a research institute and joint private medical school to be located in the Riverside Center in Roanoke, Virginia and operational by 2010.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify Ms. Lisa Shires, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise by the application deadline.

Other Positions Available