Chair, Department of Biostatistics

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as the Chair of the Department of Biostatistics within the School of Public Health (SOPH). As a top 20 public health program, partnered with one of the nation’s most powerful academic medical enterprises, the Department of Biostatistics (BST) develops innovative statistical methodologies to investigate health trends among populations. Home to the school’s largest data coordinating center, the Department of Biostatistics offers unparalleled opportunities for research in several areas including spatial statistics, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, machine learning, causal inference, and clinical trials. 

The next Chair will provide a strategic vision to sustain and strengthen a department that has experienced remarkable growth and to leverage unique opportunities for research, teaching, and service within the SOPH, the School of Medicine, and other collaborations across campus. As a leader within the SOPH, the Chair will recruit and support the Department’s talented faculty and staff and will devise mentorship and professional development pathways to cultivate and retain them. The Chair will champion BST’s work across the Schools of Public Health and Medicine and will advocate for resources to ensure the sustainability of the Department. Relatedly, the Chair will advance signature partnerships with other units across UAB to foster further interdisciplinary collaborations, thereby promoting the mission of creating positive and lasting change. Finally, the Chair will tirelessly advocate for BST’s talented graduate students, ensuring their enduring connection to the Department through opportunities for research, mentorship, and community-building.

The successful candidate will have a doctoral degree in Biostatistics or a related field and a record of scholarly accomplishments, administrative acumen, and teaching experience to warrant appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure. The Chair will need to have strong management capabilities to lead a department that includes 23 FTE faculty members and 46 FTE staff with extramural funding from the NIH, PCORI, and the Department of Defense, and which offers four degree programs (MS, MSPH, DrPH, and PhD). The total departmental budget, exclusive of extramural funding, approaches $2.5 million. 

All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, should be directed below.  

Vijay Saraswat is leading this search with Samuel Ruth and Melissa Kumi. 

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity, and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.