Assistant Professor: Research Methodologist in Adult Development and Aging
Center for Gerontology and Department of Human Development
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
We invite applications for an assistant professor appointment in the
Center for Gerontology (50%) and the Department of Human Development
(50%) in Blacksburg. This academic year, tenure-track position
involves conducting research in adult development and aging, serving
as a resource to faculty on data analysis plans and procedures,
securing external funding, and teaching
methods and statistics courses.
Tenure review will occur in the Department of Human Development and
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. This position is part of
a university-wide Developmental Science Initiative.
Review of applications will begin January 15, 2007 and continue until
a suitable candidate is appointed.
The starting date is August 10, 2007. Salary is competitive.
Responsibilities
. Develop a program of externally funded research and publications in
scholarly journals
. Teach graduate courses in research methods, statistics, and adult
development and aging
. Consult and collaborate with faculty on grant applications, funded
research, and data analysis
. Direct and serve on master's thesis and doctoral dissertation committees
. Serve on departmental, center, college, and university committees
Qualifications
Required
. Doctorate in human development-family studies with an emphasis in
adult development and aging or a related field (e.g., gerontology,
psychology, public health, social work, sociology) by the August 10,
2007 appointment date
. Training and expertise in advanced research design and analysis
(e.g., longitudinal data, nonindependent data, latent growth curve
modeling, multi-level modeling, structural equation modeling)
. Publications in peer-reviewed journals
. Potential for establishing a productive research program and
securing external funding
Preferred
. Experience in teaching research methods and statistics courses
. Experience in writing grant applications
. Experience with cross-disciplinary collaboration
Center for Gerontology http//:www.gerontology.vt.edu
Established as a university research center in 1977-78, the Center
for Gerontology is the organizational unit and focal point for
aging-related activities at Virginia Tech. The Center's primary
mission is to foster and facilitate multidisciplinary research that
enhances the quality of life of older adults, with a primary focus on
three streams of coordinated research: Family Gerontology, Health
and Aging, and Elder Rights.
It is the administrative unit for the Graduate Certificate in
Gerontology, one of the first programs awarded the Program of Merit
distinction by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.
In support of the University's outreach mission, the Center serves as
a research-based educational resource for academic departments across
the university and for community agencies and
organizations concerned with research or services to the older
population. The Center has 66 Faculty Affiliates in academic units
across the campus.
Department of Human Development http://www.humandevelopment.vt.edu
The Department of Human Development is a collaborative community of
scholars with programs that cover the human life span. Its mission is
to understand and improve the lives of people of all ages in
relationships, families, organizations and communities. Graduate
programs include doctoral emphases in Adult Development and Aging,
Child and Adolescent Development, Family Studies, and Marriage and
Family Therapy (MFT) in Blacksburg and Adult Learning and Human
Resources Development in Falls Church, as well as master's emphases
in Human Development Program Administration in Blacksburg and MFT in
Falls Church. About 253 undergraduates and 43 graduate students are
enrolled on the Blacksburg campus. The department has 30
faculty/research associates and an active
portfolio of funded projects.
Many faculty members have held national offices in and are fellows of
professional societies, have edited journals, and have won university
and external awards for research and teaching excellence.
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences http://www.clahs.vt.edu
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (CLAHS) encompasses
scholarly programs in the Arts, Humanities, Social and Human
Sciences, and Education. These programs focus on the nature and
expression of the human condition from the multiple perspectives of
the liberal arts and professional fields of human sciences and
education. In the context of increasing attention to the global
community the college studies the interaction of policies and
practices with individuals, families, communities, and societies.
With approximately 400 faculty, 100 staff, 3,500 undergraduate
majors, and 2,000 graduate students, CLAHS is the largest college in
the University.
Developmental Science Initiative http://www.psyc.vt.edu/dsi/
The Developmental Science across the Lifespan Initiative is a
collaborative effort by faculty in the Departments of Human
Development and Psychology. The goal is to facilitate innovative,
cross-disciplinary research activities, including scholarly
publications, external research
funding, and graduate student and post-doctoral training, in the
human developmental sciences.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University http://www.vt.edu
Virginia Tech, Virginia's largest university, enrolls 23,000
undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students. In addition to its
Blacksburg campus, Virginia Tech has centers located throughout the
Commonwealth of Virginia including Abingdon, Alexandria, Hampton
Roads, Richmond, and Roanoke. The largest of these is the Northern
Virginia Center, located in Falls Church, Virginia. Annual
research expenditures exceed $250 million, placing Virginia Tech
among the nation's top 50 research universities and the top 15
research institutions in the United States without a human medical facility.
Resources for Prospective Faculty
http://www.provost.vt.edu/resources_prospective_faculty.php
Information about finding employment at Virginia Tech, dual career
resources, family and work/life issues, and the university's
commitment to being an inclusive community.
Application Process
See posting # 061237 at
http://www.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=185072 and
complete the on-line application. You will be asked to supply brief
demographic information and to upload a cover letter (describing
qualifications and relevant experience in
research and teaching) and your curriculum vitae. Please include
names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three
or more references in the cover letter. If you have specific
questions about the position, please contact Dr. Rosemary Blieszner,
Search Committee Chair, at 540-231-5437 or rmb@vt.edu.
Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to the principle of diversity
and, in that spirit, seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including
women, ethnic and other minorities, and people with disabilities.
Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations for the application
process should notify Dr. Valerie Hardcastle, College of Liberal Arts
and Human Sciences, 540-231-6426, Valerie@vt.edu.
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Rosemary Blieszner, Ph.D.
Alumni Distinguished Professor
Department of Human Development (0416)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg VA 24061
Phone: 540-231-5437
Fax: 540-231-7012
Email: rmb@vt.edu
http://www.humandevelopment.vt.edu
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