Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Positions

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH CAMPUS

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus is one of the most comprehensive academic health centers in the nation. Located near the vibrant and growing downtown area of Oklahoma City, it is one of only a few academic medical centers in the nation with seven schools of health in contiguous space (Public Health, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Allied Health, and Graduate College). It also includes several strategic research centers, institutes, and initiatives to promote research and encourage collaboration among researchers across various disciplines. These include Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute- Designated Cancer Center, the Stephenson Cancer Center, the Oklahoma Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, the Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, and the Oklahoma Center for Geosciences.

The latest Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings place OU Health at No. 102 in the nation for funding from the National Institutes of Health – our highest ranking ever. This 27-spot climb over the past two years places OU among the top 3.6% of all 2,838 institutions and entities that receive NIH funding. Collectively, OU Health Campus researchers received $75.2 million in NIH funding in FY2024, as classified by Blue Ridge.

ABOUT THE HUDSON COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Hudson College of Public Health, founded in 1967, is Oklahoma's only accredited college of public health and one of just 68 accredited institutions in the U.S. It plays a crucial role in health education and research, offering a top-tier education that prepares students for successful careers in public health practice and research. With a global alumni network spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 27 countries, and an international student body comprising 10% of the total, the college emphasizes a mission-driven approach to protect and improve health through education, workforce development, research, service, and advocacy.

Located on a vibrant health sciences campus, the Hudson College of Public Health, led by Dr. Dale W. Bratzler, fosters a welcoming culture that values respect and belonging. This environment promotes innovation and collaboration, empowering students to excel in accredited, research-based academic programs with a favorable student-to-faculty ratio.

The college's purpose is to promote healthier tomorrows through education and research today. The Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 emphasizes national recognition in public health research, leading educational and workforce development initiatives, improving health outcomes, and enhancing partnerships to strengthen the impact of its education and services. Through integrated planning and self-studies, the Hudson College of Public Health is committed to continuous improvement and academic excellence in its pursuit of advancing public health.

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the Hudson College of Public Health has been in existence for the past 51 years and has graduated 250 doctoral and master’s students. The Department has developed flexible and diversified programs of graduate study, field training, and basic and applied research to accommodate students with a wide range of academic and occupational backgrounds. Students in the Department seek MS, MPH, and PhD degrees. The industrial hygiene program within the Department has been continuously accredited by ABET since 1994 and continuously supported by a NIOSH-funded training grant since 2004. Faculty are actively developing community engaged research agendas which have led to an EPA-funded Children’s Environmental Health Center in U.S. Southern Great Plains and a research contract with the state health department. Faculty members in the Department have received several multi-year grants and contracts from NASA, NSF, CDC, EPA, State Health Department, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST).

ABOUT THE POSITIONS:

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Campus is hiring two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.

• Environmental and/or Occupational Epidemiology:

We are seeking candidates whose work integrates emerging analytic techniques to address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Environmental exposures linked to cancer outcomes,
• Military and defense-related environmental exposures,
• Environmental health concerns of Native American populations and tribes,
• Children’s environmental health, and/or
• Water, food, and air quality impacts on population health.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, or Doctor of Public Health) in environmental health, industrial hygiene, environmental science, environmental engineering or a closely related field.
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed national or international scholarly journals.
• Evidence of potential to obtain extramural funding.
• For the rank of Associate Professor, a history of external research funding.

Preferences:

• Established record of teaching at the graduate level
• A record of mentoring graduate students, particularly from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in applying emerging analytical techniques (e.g. Big Data, AI, machine learning, geospatial modeling) to public health and environmental data.
• Experience working on interdisciplinary or community-engaged research teams.
• Environmental and/or Laboratory Techniques:

Environmental Health with a research focus on measurement, characterization, and control of exposures to microbiological and/or chemical agents in water whose work integrates advanced laboratory techniques to address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Groundwater, stormwater, recreational, and drinking water quality assessment
• Rural sanitation and hygiene
• Microbial and/or chemical source tracking,
• Development of analytic approaches for emerging contaminants of public health relevance.
• Translational research informing environmental policy and regulation.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, or Doctor of Public Health) in environmental health, industrial hygiene, environmental science, environmental engineering or a closely related field.
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed national or international scholarly journals.
• Evidence of potential to obtain extramural funding.
• For the rank of Associate Professor, a history of external research funding.

Preferences:

• Established record of teaching at the graduate level
• A record of mentoring graduate students and/or postdocs, particularly from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in managing an analytical laboratory
• Experience in development, validation and application of microbiological and chemical analytic techniques across multiple sample matrices
• Experience working on interdisciplinary and community-engaged research teams.
• Established partnerships with CDC, FDA, NIST, UNESCO, IWA, and multiple academic, federal, and state agencies.
• Demonstrated understanding of science-policy interface.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must submit CV, cover letter, and three professional references with contact information to Misty Wilson at misty-wilson@ou.edu. 

The ideal candidates meet the required qualifications as an Assistant or Associate Professor and have a documented track record of extramurally funded research. They will contribute to the continued growth and excellence of the department and the university, supporting the University of Oklahoma’s strategic plan to lead as a top-tier public research university and to meet AAU-level benchmarks for research, teaching, and service. This individual will contribute to expanding the program across the state with a strong commitment to student-centered values and respect for the student experience.

About Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is the anchor of a rapidly growing, multicultural metropolitan area with a population of 1.3 million, over 300 days of sunshine annually, very affordable cost of living, excellent schools and a wide array of cultural amenities. The city boasts a strong job market with opportunities in sectors like energy, healthcare, and technology, making it ideal for professionals and families alike. Plus, our revitalized downtown area features arts, entertainment, and local events. To learn more about this impressive city, please take a few minutes to watch this short video.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma:

The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!