Endowed Chair in Prevention and Lifestyle Medicine (Tenured) Posting Numberreq21697DepartmentHealth Promotion SciencesDepartment Website LinkMedical Sub-SpecialityLocationUniversity of Arizona Health SciencesAddressDrachman Hall, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724 USAPosition Highlights

The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) at the University of Arizona seeks a distinguished and experienced professional to serve as an Endowed Chair in Prevention and Lifestyle Medicine. This prestigious position is dedicated to advancing education, research, and innovation in the fields of healthy lifestyles, health promotion and disease prevention. The endowed chair will be instrumental in developing and leading a visionary program aimed at promoting health and preventing chronic diseases through lifestyle interventions. The endowed chair will lead transformative initiatives in areas such as but not limited to nutrition, physical activity, mental health promotion, sleep health, and other lifestyle interventions aimed at improving overall well-being and preventing chronic diseases.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership in lifestyle medicine or related disciplines, and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.

About the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona (UA) is a leading public research university in the American Southwest and is an ideal interdisciplinary academic community. With over 49,000 students and 21 Colleges, the UA provides a highly enriching environment for interacting with students, faculty, and researchers from many diverse disciplines. The UA is one of 71 members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) and has over $791 million in annual research funding. The UA is the only institution in the state and region with designations as a Research I (R1), member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and with a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school.

As a Land Grant institution, the UA has long recognized its unique mission and obligation to serve all of the diverse peoples and communities in the State of Arizona and is widely regarded as one of the leading public universities in the world for its excellence in American Indian academic programs. The UA is one of 150 four-year public institutions, one of four AAU, and one of seventeen R1 universities that are recognized as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI). To qualify as an HSI, the university must be an accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institution of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment.

The UA campus is in central Tucson, about one mile from a vibrant downtown community connected to the UA by local streetcar. Tucson is a home of abundant sunshine with winter highs around 70 F. It is a highly active community with great outdoor recreation opportunities, mountain views, and world-renowned, Mexican-inspired food. Tucson is easy to get around and is consistently rated as one of the top bicycling cities in the nation. Tucson has a low cost of living and very affordable housing. It is home to three high schools in the top 40 of all high schools nationally: BASIS Oro Valley, BASIS North, and University High School.

About the Department/College

The Health Promotion Sciences department is located on the Arizona Health Sciences Campus in Tucson. The mission of the department is to collaborate with communities in the southwestern United States to develop innovative responses to health challenges and to translate these best practices globally. Our department brings together more than 45 faculty, professional staff, and experts in public health, nutrition, psychology, kinesiology, epidemiology, infectious disease, anthropology, education and more to address multifaceted factors influencing health. Education is a cornerstone of our mission, and we are dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in our Family Child Health, Health Behavior Health Promotion and/or Global Health MPH and PhD programs.

Our rigorous academic programs, mentorship, and service-learning opportunities equip students at all levels to make meaningful contributions. A foundational principle of our educational programs is to advance health equity. One of the Department’s truly unique opportunities is the active partnerships in regional, multi-disciplinary, community-based research projects addressing health issues relative to US/Mexico border communities and indigenous populations.

The department of Health Promotion Sciences resides within the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH). MEZCOPH is a the only nationally accredited college of public health in the state of Arizona. It is a rapidly growing and dynamic college whose mission is to promote the health and wellness of individuals and communities in the Southwest and globally with an emphasis on achieving health equity through excellence in education, research, and service. The College’s research themes include advancing health equity for diverse populations; biostatistics and methodology; exposure science and risk assessment; global health; health care services research; health informatics; prevention of chronic and metabolic diseases; and prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases. The College has several centers, laboratories, and institutes that carry out research and service activities. These include:

• Arizona Center for Rural Health
• Zuckerman Family Center for Prevention and Health Promotion (ZFCPHP)
• Arizona Prevention Research Center
• Western Region Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC)
• Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center
• Global Health Institute
• Center for Health Disparities Research
• Applied Health Policy Institute
• Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research
• WEST Environmental Justice Center
• Arizona Area Health Education Centers
• Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate Change and Health

Our faculty also have leadership and collaborative roles with other campus wide initiatives that include the LGBTQ+ Institute, Arizona Cancer Center (NCI P30), One Health, Indigenous Resilience Center, Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Arizona Center of Aging, Data Science Institute, Center for Disparities in Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, Binational Migration Institute, Center for Sleep, Circadian & Neuroscience Research, Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction, Arizona Arthritis Center, Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (NIEHS P30) and the Arizona Institute for Resilience. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please visit .

The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health supports the UA’s diversity and inclusiveness strategic initiatives designed to create an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The College ranks among the top ASPPH schools with number of Latine and Native American Students. The candidate is expected to support diversity and inclusiveness efforts in the Department and College.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please .

Duties & Responsibilities

Research and Scholarship:

• Conduct cutting-edge research in healthy lifestyle, preventive health, or related fields.
• Publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences.
• Secure external funding to support research activities.

Academic Leadership:

• Develop and lead innovative educational programs in healthy lifestyle for undergraduate, graduate, and professional learners.
• Mentor students of varying levels and backgrounds.
• Assist in the development of innovative approaches to enhance student engagement.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution and with external partners.

Program Development:

• Establish or expand healthy lifestyle research initiatives.
• Develop community-based programs aimed at translating research into practice.
• Serve as a thought leader in public health initiatives focused on promoting healthy behaviors.
• Support the development of aligned staff.

Service and Advocacy:

• Engage with healthcare organizations, policymakers, and community leaders to advocate for evidence-based lifestyle interventions.
• Represent the institution at national and international forums on healthy lifestyle and lifestyle medicine.
• Provide service professionally and across Department, College and/or The University.
• Foster collaboration with community partners and inter and intra-health profession colleges to promote lifestyle and wellness-related research, instruction, and/or outreach.
• Advise and mentor junior faculty and postdoctoral scholars
• Additional duties may be assigned by the Department Chair or College Dean

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD, MD, DrPH or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field such as public health, nutrition, exercise science, behavioral medicine, or lifestyle medicine.
• Established record of academic achievement, including research, teaching, and leadership.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding.
• Strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship.
• Experience in clinical, systems, or community-level interventions related to healthy lifestyle, wellness or lifestyle medicine.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the development and successful implementation of transdisciplinary research in chronic disease prevention, health behavior change, and/or addressing social determinants of health.
• Experience in leading inclusive and community-responsive scholarship.
• Professor rank or positions with commiserate professional and research achievements of national and global impact.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, evidenced by course evaluations, teaching awards, or other means.
• Multiple years in Professor rank or positions with commiserate professional and research achievements of national global impact.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, evidenced by course evaluations, teaching awards, or other means.

Rank ProfessorTenure InformationTenured (T)FLSAExemptFull Time/Part TimeFull TimeNumber of Hours Worked per Week40Job FTE1.0Work CalendarFiscalJob CategoryFacultyBenefits EligibleYes - Full BenefitsRate of PayDOECompensation Typesalary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)Type of criminal background check required:Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)Number of Vacancies1Target Hire Date4/1/2025Expected End DateContact Information for CandidatesDavid Garcia, Search Committee Chair | davidogarcia@arizona.eduOpen Date1/15/2025Open Until FilledYesDocuments Needed to ApplyCurriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and One Additional DocumentSpecial Instructions to ApplicantPlease submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter and Statement of Interest (related to research, teaching, service).Diversity StatementAt the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety ReportIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at