The Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina is seeking an energetic and visionary Chair for the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. This academic leadership role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of research, education, and practice in environmental health.
The individual will provide strategic leadership and vision for the Department, fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and internationally recognized academic environment. The successful candidate will advance cutting-edge research, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen the department’s reputation for excellence in teaching and service.
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences (ENHS) has a strong history of competitive research funding in support of academic and research initiatives focused on environmental issues that span ecosystems and human health. The Department also supports undergraduate and graduate teaching missions by fully participating in the Arnold School’s BA, BS, MPH, MS and PhD programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead ENHS in developing and implementing a forward-looking academic strategy.
- Oversee departmental operations, budgeting, and strategic planning.
- Foster a strong culture of research innovation in areas such as environmental toxicology, occupational health, environmental justice, global health and climate-change effects on health.
- Enhance undergraduate, graduate, and professional training/certification programs.
- Mentor and support faculty, staff, and students to achieve their highest potential.
- Secure extramural research funding and build partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders.
Qualifications
- An outstanding record of scholarship and external research funding in environmental health or a related field.
- Demonstrated excellence in academic leadership and/or administration.
- Demonstrated commitment to innovative, inclusive teaching and student mentorship.
- National and international recognition in environmental health or related field.
- Eligibility for appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure.
Interested candidates are asked to provide evidence of collaborative academic/organizational leadership, scholarly achievement, competitive research funding, and teaching excellence commensurate with tenured professor rank. In addition, candidates should provide evidence of ability to facilitate faculty development through mentoring, advocacy, and building collaborations with intramural and extramural partners. Qualifications include an earned doctorate or equivalent in public health, environmental health or related discipline that complements existing departmental research and teaching strengths in microbiology, toxicology, exposure science, air quality, water quality, soil health, climate change, environmental justice, and community engagement.
The University of South Carolina has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution of “very high research activity”. Environmental Health Sciences plays a key role within the Arnold School, (www.sph.sc.edu) which is a campus leader in scholarship, undergraduate majors, and external research funding. The Arnold School’s leadership is committed to providing the new Chair of ENHS with the resources necessary to enhance the department’s research and academic activities. The Department of Environmental Health Sciences (www.sph.sc.edu/enhs) has outstanding NSF, NOAA and NIH funded research on climate change and health, community monitoring of wastewater, antibiotic resistance, micro/nanoplastics fate and effects, forest fire impacts related to drought, environmental-safety forecast modeling, etc.
The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, the state capital and the center of a metropolitan statistical area that is home to over 800,000 residents. Columbia is situated in the center of the state, approximately 100 miles from both the Atlantic coast and Blue Ridge Mountains. The Columbia area offers a wide range of cultural and recreational resources including Lake Murray, Riverbanks Zoo, Congaree National Monument, Koger Center for the Performing Arts, EdVenture Children’s Museum and Southeastern Conference Athletics. The climate is sub-tropical featuring long, temperate falls and springs; and short, mild winters.
Applicant reviews will begin on October 30, 2025, and remain open until filled. Interested candidates should submit the following no later than October 30, 2025 for full consideration: a curriculum vita, list of three references, and cover letter describing their qualifications and academic leadership experience to Ms. Patsy Yarborough, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Arnold School of Public Health, via the link: YARBOROP@MAILBOX.SC.EDU
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