Director & Professor - School of Aging Studies Full-time Job

Department: School of Aging Studies

College/Division: College of Behavioral & Community Sciences

Salary Plan: Faculty, 12 Month, 1FTE

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

The University of South Florida (USF) is seeking a strategic visionary leader to build on the strong foundation already found in the School of Aging Studies (SAS) in its mission to continue a long history of excellence in applied aging research, teaching, and service. The successful candidate will provide exceptional vision, leadership, and administrative direction to SAS while fostering a supportive culture of excellence in interdisciplinary research, scholarship, teaching, and service.

The Director will:

• Work closely with the Dean of our College of Behavioral and Community Sciences to build on our strong cadre of existing faculty via additional faculty recruitment, in the aftermath of loss of several key faculty over the past few years.
• Advocate for University, community, and extramural support for SAS to include the development of new grants and contracts at the federal and state levels in cooperation with SAS faculty.
• Work collaboratively with entities within USF and with partners in the greater Tampa Bay Community in pursuit of collaborations that promote the mission of the department.
• Advance the strategic plans of the School, College, and University to promote the standing and reputation of the School nationally and internationally.
• Pursue development opportunities both locally and nationally.
• Promote continued dedication to the diversity of the School’s research and academic programs.
• Expand and enhance our educational programs including the PhD in Aging Studies, master’s degrees and graduate certificates, undergraduate degree program, and undergraduate general education programs.

As a member of the faculty with the rank of Professor, the Director will advance an active research program with the possibility of teaching and mentoring graduate and/or undergraduate students.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience):

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Gerontology/Aging Studies or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated record of achievement in research, teaching, and service.
• Has a national reputation as an authority in the field of gerontology, and continued productivity in research in refereed and other professional journals.
• Must meet university criteria for appointment of rank of Professor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dedication to effective faculty mentoring, development, and recruitment.
• A track record and commitment to promoting equity and addressing bias and discrimination faced by diverse older adults, and to enhancing recruitment and mentorship of diverse faculty, staff, and students.
• A federally funded program of research.
• Demonstration of fiscal responsibility and administrative competency in a professional capacity.
• Leadership experience at the higher education level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated record of successful graduate student training and mentorship.
• Previous leadership experience in professional organizations.
• Demonstrated success as a visionary leader.
• A strong history of community involvement.
• Demonstrate awareness of USF-SAS’s diverse graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Research emphasis in applied aging research that is complementary or expands on current departmental areas of strategic focus.

About School of Aging Studies

SAS, formerly the Department of Gerontology, was established in 1967. It is one of the nation's oldest and largest degree-awarding programs in Gerontology. Our PhD in Aging Studies program was the third interdisciplinary program in Gerontology/Aging Studies in the US, established in 1994. Our PhD program graduates have gone on to great success in academia, and in federal positions in the National Institutes of Health and US Department of Health and Human Services. Other graduate programs include master’s degrees in Gerontology and Applied Aging Sciences, and graduate certificate programs in Gerontology and Clinical Aging Sciences. Besides undergraduate degrees and minors, we reach over 4,000 undergraduate students per year through our extensive engagement in the USF General Education Program.

SAS is housed within the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS). CBCS is a research-intensive College committed to applied behavioral research of relevance to practical problems faced by individuals and families in our local community, nationally, and internationally. This emphasis includes research on clinical and supportive programs, and the effectiveness of systems and communities. The SAS mission of excellence in applied aging research fits well with the emphasis of the College, and to date we have focused on Aging and Health, Cognitive Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease, and Public Policy and Long-Term Care. Our research faculty come from diverse disciplines and professions, including Gerontology/Aging Studies, Clinical Psychology, Life-Span Developmental Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Health Economics. All of our research faculty are active in funded research. Figures from our Office of Research show that SAS has been credited with an average of over $1 million per year in total research costs over the past four years.

Our faculty are involved in research with a variety of collaborators and community partners. These include the Moffitt Cancer Center, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Alzheimer’s Association, and local hospices, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. We provide students with field placements in numerous local organizations. The Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging is located within SAS and provides research and policy analysis to diverse stakeholders in the aging network and promotes age-friendly programs throughout Florida. SAS also hosts the USF Center for Hospice, Palliative Care, and End-of-Life Studies, which promotes collaboration, education, and research throughout the USF campus and with numerous palliative and hospice community partners.

Applicants are required to submit the following in support of their application:

For further details about the position please contact search committee chair Dr. Bill Haley at whaley@usf.edu