Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health – Biostatistics/Health AI

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services (RHS) is a community-engaged academic unit providing research and education that reaches beyond the classroom. Faculty with expertise in public health, applied gerontology, health services, rehabilitation counseling, substance use, and behavioral health conduct innovative research that impacts our community and prepares students for a career making a positive change in the lives of others. Our graduates pursue careers as researchers, health professionals, educators, administrators, and clinicians committed to improving the lives of those they serve.

The department is part of the College of Public Affairs and Health Sciences (PAHS) that prepares graduates to address diverse and complex social issues such as aging, disability, disaster management and recovery, criminal justice, health disparities and public safety, and find solutions to challenges in public administration, public and mental health, exercise physiology, and urban design.

We have nine academic departments with undergraduate and graduate programs, the Kristin Farmer Autism Center, the Center for Public Management, the UNT Speech and Hearing Center, the UNT Work Inclusion and Supported Employment (UNTWISE) program, UNT ELEVAR, and several professional development and clinical training programs to facilitate careers to address a global society.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services (RHS) in the College of Public Affairs and Health Sciences at the University of North Texas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Public Health with expertise in biostatistics and/or health artificial intelligence (AI). All areas of biostatistics will be considered.

We seek an accomplished scholar whose research leverages advanced statistical methods, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computational analytics to address complex public health challenges. The successful candidate will bring a vision for advancing data-driven discovery while mentoring the next generation of public health scientists and for the rank of Associate Professor will bring an established, externally funded research program.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment at one of the nation's leading public research universities, where innovation, partnership, student success, and translational impact are central to our mission.

The successful candidate will:
•Lead and expand a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in biostatistics, health AI, or related areas.
•Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health data science, artificial intelligence, and related disciplines.
•Mentor master's and doctoral students while fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
•Develop interdisciplinary collaborations that advance the application of statistics, AI and/or advanced analytics to public health research and practice.
•Publish impactful research in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
•At the Rank of Associate Professor, provide leadership in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and strategic initiatives.
•Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service.

Preferred Areas of Research
All areas of biostatistics will be considered, but we welcome applicants whose research aligns with biostatistics and health AI, including but not limited to:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning for public health
• Biostatistical methods development
• Bayesian statistics
• Predictive modeling and risk prediction
• Precision public health
• Population health analytics
• Causal inference and advanced epidemiologic methods
• Clinical and public health informatics
• Big data analytics
• Electronic health record (EHR) research
• Natural language processing in healthcare
• Geospatial and spatial statistics
• Design and analysis of cohort studies, case-control studies, randomized clinical trials and/or intervention studies
• Sample size and power analysis
• Analytic strategies for high dimensional -omics studies
• Health equity through data science
• Explainable and trustworthy AI for healthcare
• Data visualization and decision support systems

Applicants utilizing innovative computational approaches, high-performance computing, federated learning, or multidisciplinary research methods are especially encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Public Health, Biostatistics, Statistics, Data Science, Epidemiology, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or a closely related discipline. For the rank of Assistant Professor ABD will be considered but candidates must hold degree at the time of appointment. For the rank of Associate Professor, qualifications for appointment with tenure.
• An established record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating scholarly excellence.
• Evidence of a sustained (Associate Professor), or potential for (Assistant Professor), externally funded research program.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring students.
• Experience mentoring graduate students and early-career researchers (for consideration at the Rank of Associate Professor).

Preferred Qualifications

• National or international recognition in biostatistics, health AI, or population health analytics.
• Ongoing and transferable externally funded research grants
• Experience leading interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated success in developing collaborations with healthcare systems, government agencies, or industry partners.
• Experience integrating AI and advanced analytics into public health education.
• Demonstrated leadership in academic programs, professional organizations, or large collaborative research initiatives.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

varies based on assignment

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

1. Cover Letter expressing your interest and qualification for the position. If applying for the rank of Associate Professor emphasis should be placed on your qualifications for the rank.
2. Current Curriculum Vitae
3. A research statement highlighting your past research accomplishments and an outline of your 5-year research plan including on-going or future external funding that would continue/occur at UNT.
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. References – List of Names and Contact Information (email and phone) for at least 3 (no more than 6) professional references. References will be contacted only if selected for an on-campus interview.

Questions can be directed to search committee chair, Dr. Chisom Iwundu at chisom.iwundu@unt.edu.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.