Department Head Nutritional Sciences

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut in Storrs seeks to hire a highly organized, collaborative, and visionary individual to provide strong leadership for a diverse and productive department in alignment with the strategic plans for the Department, College, and University. This is a full-time, 9-month position with a 10^th month of service in this administrative capacity. The successful candidate must qualify for appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor with tenure, in accordance with University policies and procedures. Candidates at the Associate Professor rank should demonstrate a strong record of scholarly achievement and a clear trajectory toward promotion to Professor.

The Department Head serves as an advocate and leader for Nutritional Sciences at UConn and with external constituents. Active participation in teaching, research, service, and/or extension programs is expected. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the applicant’s record. The University provides an extensive benefits package, which includes retirement and health insurance coverage. As the departmental administrative officer, the Department Head reports directly to the Dean. A start date of August 23, 2027 is anticipated.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The university is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes seven campuses across the state: Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, and Waterbury, the Law School in Hartford, and UConn Health in Farmington. UConn has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including more than 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn Extension reaches over 175,000 residents through over 500 programs, connecting with communities in all 169 of Connecticut’s cities and towns. UConn faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research, teaching, creative work, and extension programs, advancing discovery across disciplines and generating high societal impact. UConn’s dedicated staff provide the expertise and support that sustain the university’s mission and advance institutional achievement.

The University of Connecticut is dedicated to excellence demonstrated through national and international recognition. Through freedom of academic inquiry and expression, UConn creates and disseminates knowledge by means of scholarly and creative achievements, graduate and professional education, and community engagement. With a focus on teaching and learning, the University helps every student grow intellectually and become a contributing member of the state, national, and world communities. Through research, teaching, extension, and service, UConn promotes the health and well-being of Connecticut’s citizens through enhancing the social, economic, cultural and natural environments of the state and beyond.

In 2024, the University adopted its strategic plan, Envisioning 2034, with three major goals: promoting holistic student success, expanding research impact, and powering a thriving Connecticut.

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is located on UConn’s Storrs campus with teaching, research, and extension activities reaching across the state. CAHNR faculty, staff, and students explore the interrelationships among food, natural resources, and human, plant and animal health, seeking to connect them in a manner that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

The college evolved from the original Storrs Agricultural School, established in 1881. As Connecticut’s land-grant university, UConn has federal and state mandates to carry out the tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension. The College consists of eight academic departments offering 17 undergraduate majors and 23 undergraduate minors, along with several PhD, MS, and graduate certificate programs, and a ninth department offering community-based extension programs.  It is also the home to innovative interdisciplinary research and clinical centers. The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture is also contained within CAHNR, offering applied associates degrees in the agricultural sciences. 

The Department of Nutritional Sciences (NUSC) is one of eight academic departments within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut. Through research, teaching, extension, and public engagement, the department advances nutrition science and improves the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Its programs prepare students for careers in nutrition, research, healthcare, public health, industry, and education. It also features an accredited program to prepare students for subsequent training through supervised practice experience to become a registered dietitian.

Faculty research spans molecular nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, metabolism, nutrigenomics, precision and personalized nutrition, public health and community nutrition, sports nutrition, and food science. Their work examines the role of nutrition in health, aging, and the prevention and management of chronic disease. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty translate scientific discoveries into practical approaches to improving health locally, nationally, and globally.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences with five tracks, including Food and Health Sciences, Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Pre-Medical Professions, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Physician's Assistant. Graduate offerings include M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Nutritional Sciences, an online M.S. in Personalized Nutrition, and online graduate certificates in Precision Nutrition and Plant-Based Food and Nutrition. Students build their knowledge through rigorous coursework and faculty mentorship, with opportunities for laboratory experiences, research, internships, and community engagement tailored to their programs and interests.

Located on UConn’s main campus in Storrs, Connecticut, the department benefits from research facilities and collaborations across the University and UConn Health. The department is committed to an inclusive, welcoming environment that supports students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds. For more information, please visit the department’s website.

1. →Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent terminal degree in Nutritional Sciences or a closely related discipline.
2. →A record of nationally recognized scholarship and professional accomplishments that meets the qualifications for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
3. →Demonstrated excellence in research and teaching, with a record of effective graduate student mentoring.
4. →Evidence of successful academic or administrative leadership, which may include leading programs, research teams, committees, centers, other significant initiatives.
5. →Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
6. →Demonstrated commitment to student success and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and collegial academic environment.

1. Administrative experience relevant to leading an academic department with teaching, research, extension, and service missions at a major land-grant university.
2. Demonstrated leadership in developing academic programs, coordinating capital improvements, or securing external funding from public or private sources.
3. Experience advancing interdisciplinary research and fostering collaborations across colleges, healthcare systems, government agencies, and industry.
4. A record of success in recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students.
5. Experience developing or supporting innovative educational programs, including online or hybrid graduate programs.
6. Active engagement with alumni, donors, industry partners, professional organizations, and other external stakeholders.
7. Experience supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, technology transfer, or public engagement.
8. Demonstrated ability to build consensus, communicate effectively, and make transparent decisions within a shared governance framework.
9. Experience overseeing laboratories, research facilities, or other specialized facilities that support teaching and research.
10. Current appointment at the rank of Professor or equivalent in Nutritional Sciences or a closely related discipline.

This is a full-time, nine-month faculty appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with a 10th month of service in this administrative capacity. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2027.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499933 and submit the following application materials. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the stated minimum qualifications, and any preferred qualifications they may possess, in their application materials.

• Cover letter that addresses how your experience meets the minimum and preferred qualifications (maximum of two pages).
•  Curriculum Vitae (must include a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and/or service).
• Leadership Statement describing your approach to leading CAHNR’s Department of Nutritional Sciences and how your leadership will support the department’s goals and continued success. (maximum of two pages).
• Names and contact information for at least three references. References will only be contacted for applicants that are identified as finalists.  

Review of applications will start January 18, 2027, and will continue until the position is filled.  Send inquiries about this position to the search committee chair, Michael Puglisi. For further information, please visit our website.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.

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