Assistant Professor – Health

PSYCHOLOGICAL, HEALTH, AND LEARNING SCIENCES – HEALTH PROGRAM

The Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences (PHLS) in the College of Education at the University of Houston seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Health to serve our undergraduate Health program. The department offers a variety of graduate academic programs in multiple areas of specialization, including a master’s in counseling and three PhD programs including school psychology (APA accredited), counseling psychology (APA accredited), and measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences (MQMLS). All our programs have a special focus on student success, social justice, health, innovative research, and community engagement. We welcome candidates whose experience in research, teaching, and service demonstrates a commitment to excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration.

As part of an ambitious Carnegie-designated Tier One research institution, the University of Houston (UH) College of Education works to improve health and educational outcomes for all people and communities through inspired teaching, innovative scholarship, and strong community partnerships. Housed in the nation’s fourth-largest city, UH is one of the most ethnically diverse public research universities in America, with more than 47,000 students and 6,200 faculty and staff.

Together, at the University of Houston, we dare to dream big, and we collaborate to achieve. Building on a trajectory of accelerated research activity and rising graduation rates, UH is pursuing a bold initiative to become a top 50 public university. New faculty will join a Big 12 institution with a growing number of nationally funded research centers and an ambitious agenda to leverage science to make a transformative impact locally, nationally, and across the globe. With a relentless focus on student success, we are committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience that empowers students to lead.

The Houston metropolitan area offers scholars rich urban and suburban environments in which to work and live – as well as opportunities for international research and study. The region is home to world-class museums, cultural events, and restaurants, as well as the renowned Texas Medical Center and nearly 50 public school districts.

In the College of Education, our faculty and staff are united around five key beliefs : Our responsibility is to improve lives; achieving success for everyone requires inspiring collective action; greater understanding depends on rigorous scientific inquiry; various perspectives and talents fuel excellence; and transformation requires challenging and valuing ourselves and others. These tenets drive us as we prepare future teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, health experts, researchers, and other leaders in their fields. In support of our pursuits, we seek experienced and ambitious colleagues whose research and teaching are strategically aligned with our ongoing work to address educational and health disparities.

We are especially interested in candidates who value collaboration and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with colleagues across disciplines. The successful applicant will contribute to a collegial and inclusive academic community by engaging in joint research initiatives, program development, and cross-departmental projects. Candidates whose work

fosters partnerships within the College of Education and with broader university, community, and school networks will be viewed with particular interest.

Qualifications : Applicants must have a doctorate in public health, health promotion and disease prevention, health education, health psychology, biomedical sciences, community health, epidemiology, population health, or a closely related field. The successful candidate must demonstrate an active record of scholarship and pursuit of diversified external funding (e.g., foundations, federal, and corporate) commensurate with experience as well as effective teaching ability and service to the profession. While a breadth of expertise will be considered, preferred qualifications include teaching and scholarship focus on (a) community-based research, (b) health at various points in the lifespan, and / or (c) interdisciplinary research in health.

Responsibilities : Primary research responsibilities include an active research program in health sciences, seeking and acquiring external funding, publishing scholarly work in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and disseminating work to national and international audiences. Primary teaching responsibilities include expert teaching through face-to-face, online, or hybrid delivery of four annual courses in the Health undergraduate program, as appropriate. A successful candidate will also participate in course and program development, supervision of teaching assistants, optional supervision of graduate students, community outreach activities, and service to the Department, College, University, and profession.

Appointment : This is a nine-month appointment. Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is Fall 2026. Salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and experience and will include benefits. Please contact Dr. Norma Olvera (nolvera@central.uh.edu); 713-743-9310) Search Committee Chair, should you have any follow-up questions.

To apply, the following materials should be uploaded online at

https : / / careers.uh.edu / jobs / assistant-professor-health-houston-texas-united-states :

1. A cover letter describing your (a) qualifications and interest in the position, (b) evidence of scholarly impact, (c) history of external peer-reviewed funding, and (d) evidence of teaching experience and teaching effectiveness.

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Teaching Philosophy

4. Research Statement

5. Contact information of at least 3 references

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon the selection of the final candidate.

All positions at the University are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and / or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.