Assistant Professor

We are inviting applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure track promotable faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Nutrition and Dietetics and Health Sciences programs. We seek a faculty member with expertise in Medical Nutrition Therapy who can teach within the accredited ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics as well as undergraduate courses in health sciences. We anticipate the person's primary service responsibilities would be within Nutrition and Dietetics, along with expectations for some collaboration and engagement in Health Sciences including supporting the development of natural synergies between the two programs. We seek faculty who embrace NIU's mission of providing opportunity to a diverse student body by providing them with access to high quality education and hands-on involvement in research and community engagement as well as supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion across collaborations and interactions with faculty, staff, and others throughout the university and external community. Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University-Higher Research Activity with about 17,000 students located in DeKalb, IL. The main campus is in DeKalb, which is a diverse and growing community, 65 miles west of Chicago's "Loop" and 40 miles southeast of Rockford with education centers in Rockford and Naperville. DeKalb/Sycamore, with a population of about 60,000, is a modern paradox, a rural/urban community. It is simultaneously recognized for its manufacturing and rich farmlands. The site of the first manufacturing of barbed wire and the development of hybrid seed corn are evidence of its diversified history. Located in a peri-urban region adjacent to the Chicago metropolitan area, NIU faculty and students live in communities throughout Northern Illinois, in the western Chicago suburbs, city of Rockford, and other small towns within driving distance from the university. The recently revitalized downtown city of DeKalb offers shops, restaurants, and other amenities. Business investment is evident in DeKalb's Chicago West Business Park, whose residents include companies such as Facebook/Meta, Ferrara Candy, and Kraft/Heinz. The College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) is home to five academic schools. The Nutrition and Dietetics Program is part of the School of Health Studies and offers a B.S. and an M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics and Wellness. The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) track within the bachelor's degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). At the graduate level, a Certificate of Graduate Study in Eating Disorders and Obesity and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Sports Nutrition are offered. The Health Sciences Program is part of the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions and offers a B.S. and an M.S. in Health Sciences as well as a Certificate of Graduate Study in Health Professions Education. A college-wide interdisciplinary and interprofessional PhD in Health Sciences engages faculty from across the college. For more information about the programs, visit Position Summary The Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics and Health Sciences responsible for all aspects of classroom instruction to graduate and undergraduate students, engaging in research and scholarly endeavors, and serving on committees within the university and professional organizations. The faculty member will positively contribute to committee service within the program, university, community, and profession, provide student advisement to graduate students and undergraduate students, as appropriate, and develop a robust program of research and scholarship. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Teach academic coursework and make connections to evidence based practice; Establish an active and innovative research/scholarly agenda that directly engages local, national, and international nutrition, dietetics, and health sciences research communities through research publications, presentations, and grants; Positively contribute to service within the university (program, school, college, university levels) and profession; Provide student advisement and support student research; Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement; Collaborate within the campus and community to promote the advancement of the program and the mission, vision, values, and goals of the University. Minimum Required Qualifications Earned PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutritional Science, or related field with expertise in Medical Nutrition Therapy as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by the time of hire; A minimum of 3 years of experience and practice in nutrition and dietetics; Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusive work and learning environments that foster diversity, creativity, and innovation. Additional Requirements Ability and willingness to contribute to meeting the program's instructional needs; Evidence of an active and innovative research/scholarly agenda; Strong oral, written, visual, and electronic communication skills; Ability to communicate effectively and interact in a positive manner with diverse faculty, staff, and students, as well as with people of varying economic and cultural backgrounds; Effective interpersonal and conflict management skills; Ability to educate students in clinical, laboratory, and classroom settings; Strong organization, problem-solving, and counseling skills; Demonstrated knowledge in evidence-based practice; Commitment to contributing to promoting a collegial environment in which faculty support each other and their students. Preferred Qualifications Experience in effective teaching in higher education; Strong record of scholarly publications; Experience with programmatic and/or research grant writing and management; History of engagement and service to the profession at the local, state, and/or national level; Knowledge and application of ACEND accreditation standards. Physical Demands Summary N/A