The Department of Nutrition at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for a tenure-track Full Professor who will serve as Department Chair in Nutrition. We are looking for a leader with extensive experience in teaching and scholarship who complements the mission of the Department, College, and University. The position is a calendar-year appointment (partial summer funding available) with a start date of September 2025.

The well-established Department of Nutrition is located within the College of Health Sciences. It is recognized for excellence in teaching, research, service, and professional leadership. Our teaching programs include a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Nutrition, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Dietetics, an Accelerated Bachelor to Master 4+1 (B.S./M.S. 4+1) degree in either Nutrition or Dietetics, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Nutrition, an online Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Dietetics, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health Sciences with an emphasis on Nutrition.

The Department’s faculty leads several research laboratories focusing on human energy balance, lipid metabolism, nutrition and pregnancy, metabolism and muscle biology, eating behaviors, dietary patterns and cardiometabolic health, and community nutrition security. Furthermore, the Department leads several successful outreach programs including the SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, Food Recovery for RI, and the URI Free Farmers’ Market programs.

The Department, College, and University recognize that the field of Nutrition needs to be strengthened by contributions from a broad range of perspectives. The Department of Nutrition is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and seeks to serve as a representative inspiration for the next generations. As such, we welcome candidates from groups historically underrepresented, marginalized, and/or excluded in the field of Nutrition who will support the mission of both URI and the Department of Nutrition. Candidates will demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity to enhance a sense of belonging and academic success among students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Duties and Responsibilities:

 The successful Department Chair candidate will be expected to lead and administer for the Department with oversight of: fiscal, curricular, and personnel, based on a shared vision aligned to the missions of the Department, College, and University; mentor and support the professional development of faculty and students; contribute directly to the delivery of the Nutrition curriculum; foster links with academic and professional colleagues on campus and throughout the community; support outcome assessment, and accreditation components. In general, individuals who will contribute to the Department’s commitment to scholarship, evidence-based practice, collaborative and inclusive teaching, and who strongly advocate for the Department are encouraged to apply.

Major Responsibilities:

 Research & Teaching

• Maintain a robust program of research germane to nutrition and health that is extramurally funded.
  ?Maintain a high level of dissemination of research and scholarship as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and/or international meetings. ?Teach nutrition courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.

Academic Leadership Excellence:

• Serve as a direct liaison between the academics and research productivity of the Nutrition program and the fiscal matters of the College and University.
• Provides innovative leadership and ensures the integrity of the academic programs.
• Supports program curricula planning, implementation, evaluation, and revision in collaboration Undergraduate and Graduate Department Committees.
• Evaluate and determine faculty needs to support current and future academic programs.
• Provide support to effectively and efficiently align faculty with academic programs, teaching activities, research priorities, and career development.

Faculty Development:

• Lead strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives to determine teaching needs, and provide strategic leadership for faculty research development, mentoring, and recruitment.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and college administrators to develop faculty abilities to work with students with diverse learning needs.
• Responsible for identifying the faculty and staff needs to support the academic programs.
• Oversees the orientation and management of part-time faculty.
• Write annual review letters.

Administration and Management:

• Identify resources required for the implementation of the Department and College strategic plan
• Assist the Dean with identifying potential areas for revenue generation.
• Identify needed infrastructure and secure resources to support academic programs.
• Represent the Nutrition Department on various Nutrition and University committees and serve as a liaison across the university, providing leadership and strategy for the Nutrition Department’s engagement in campus-wide initiatives.

Qualifications

 Required:

1) A PhD or equivalent degree in Nutrition, Health Sciences, or a closely related field.

2) Record of teaching, research and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Full Professor. (Applicants who are currently Full Professors as well as those at the rank of Associate Professor who expect to have a record commensurate with a tenured Full Professor at the University of Rhode Island at the time of appointment may apply.)

3) Experience in securing funding for research.

4) Demonstrated successful teaching in areas that complement the existing curriculum.

5) Demonstrated leadership skills.

6) Demonstrated proficiency in oral communication skills.

7) Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

8) Demonstrated experience in working with diverse groups and populations.

Preferred:

1) Consistent and recent leadership experience including but not limited to Department Chair, Program Director, and/or a comparable leadership experience in a professional organization.

2) Demonstrated experience in interdepartmental and interdisciplinary collaboration.

3) Demonstrated competence in professional fiscal management.

4) Demonstrated research in areas that complement existing programs and foci in the Nutrition Department, College of Health Sciences, and/or other affiliated entities.

5) Demonstrated experience in graduate student and junior faculty mentoring.

6) Demonstrated professional involvement at the state, national, or international level.

7) Experience with establishing plans for effective undergraduate and graduate student recruitment.

8) Experience in securing external funding to support Department needs.