Wayne State University (WSU) invites applications from individuals who are passionate about advancing the well-being of older people through aging research and leadership in gerontology, for the position of Director of the Institute of Gerontology (IOG). The IOG director will lead a multidisciplinary faculty representing the behavioral sciences, social sciences and cognitive neurosciences with a shared focus on aging and health and health equity. The Director of the IOG reports to the Vice President for Research and will lead the IOG in advancing its mission within the university, the metro Detroit region and beyond.
The Director will hold a joint appointment in an academic department.
We are seeking a candidate who is recognized for their:
- Dedication to excellence in interdisciplinary gerontology research knowledge, training, practices, and advocacy.
- Affiliative and collaborative leadership and management skills in advancing excellence and working effectively with faculty, staff, students, and university administrators.
- Funded research program.
- Strong mentoring abilities.
- Interest and capacity for developing and maintaining relationships with community partners.
About the Institute of Gerontology:
The IOG is home to a vibrant multidisciplinary community of nationally and internationally recognized faculty and staff dedicated to discovering new insights into aging and later life and to improving the lives of older adults and families. Its premier programs focus on research, advanced training of pre- and post-doctoral scholars, community outreach, and continuing education for health care providers.
IOG was founded in 1965 at Wayne State University, a Carnegie I Research Intensive University, and Michigan’s only urban university. The IOG maintains a high level of federal and foundation research grant and publication productivity, outreach, and community partnerships. It features basic and applied social and behavioral science research (including anthropology, communication, economics, sociology, political science, and psychology) and lifespan cognitive neuroscience focusing on aging and urban and minority health. As a hub for education, it provides extensive continuing education for professionals (over 30,000 a year), older adults (over 10,000 a year), monthly research colloquia, and expert speakers. Our in-house media relations specialists regularly prepare and place multiple media stories to disseminate and highlight our work.
State, University, and Community Partnerships.
The IOG is an active partner in Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC), an alliance of Michigan’s leading research institutions: Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
The URC is one of the nation’s top academic research clusters, and is a leading force in the state for talent production, academic research, and economic revitalization. As the only national innovation cluster composed exclusively of public institutions, the URC’s mission is to improve its region’s quality of life while advancing global knowledge.
Among the IOG’s many collaborations across the university, state and community, key partnerships include:
- The Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR), a P30 Center Grant funded continuously since 1997 by the National Institute of Aging. MCUAAAR includes the University of Michigan and Michigan State University in its mission to increase the diversity of the scientific research workforce and to mentor promising new faculty and researchers from under-represented groups in aging-related behavioral research.
- The Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC), an NIH P30 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers that also links the three research corridor universities.
- The Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES), an environmental health focused center.
- A newly funded University Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECKUP) focused on community-based participant research in Detroit.
About the University:
Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity, and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society. WSU encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. WSU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Major initiatives across Wayne State include success in hiring diverse faculty, and extensive research programs in community-based research, health equity, environmental health, neuroscience, and heart health. Additional information about the university can be found at: wayne.edu.
Responsibilities of the IOG Director include:
- Administration and leadership.
- Leading and advocating on behalf of a diverse faculty and staff.
- Leading the IOG fund raising efforts in conjunction with the IOG Board of Visitors.
- Leading efforts to develop strategic directions, and to work with both internal and external advisory boards.
- Overseeing the IOG budget.
- Securing grants and contracts.
- Supervising and mentoring faculty and staff, as well as the research training efforts for pre- and post-doctoral scholars.
- Fostering collaborative relationships including partnerships with community members and organizations.
Required skills and qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in related field and experience in aging research.
- Proven track record of excellence in scholarship and grant development.
- Commitment to and excellence in the field of gerontology.
- Administrative leadership, management, and budgeting.
- Supervisory, communication, and conflict negotiation abilities.
Please submit your letter of application, curriculum vitae, and four professional letters of reference to REQ# 2219. The review of applications will begin upon receipt and remain open until filled. For additional information about this opportunity or questions about the application process, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Wassim Tarraf at wassim.tarraf@wayne.edu.
