Rice University invites applications for multiple tenured and tenure-track positions at the senior and junior levels in Environmental Health, with preferred focus areas in environmental and occupational epidemiology, environmental exposures and sustainability, environmental risk assessment, toxicology, infectious diseases, global environmental health, and climate impacts on health, as well as the intersection of these areas with environmental justice. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027. The ideal candidate(s) would bring an interdisciplinary approach, leveraging quantitative training in biostatistics, epidemiological modeling, spatial analytics (GIS), or AI/data science, with experience analyzing clinical (e.g., electronic medical records), registry (e.g., Texas Cancer Registry), or administrative (e.g., American Community Survey) health data.
Primary academic appointment will be in the Department of Kinesiology, ranked #1 nationally by the popular Niche™ rankings and home to Rice’s Public Health Sciences and Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology undergraduate degrees. These positions are part of an initiative to support interdisciplinary environmental health scholarship, including a new Climate + Health Excellence Center (FORECAST) funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. They will come with robust joint appointments in Departments of BioSciences, Chemistry, and Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences as most appropriate.
The successful candidate(s) will be expected to establish a vibrant, externally funded research program, collaborate across disciplines, and teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We especially encourage applications from scientists addressing climate impacts on human health and infectious disease, and contributing to broad themes of sustainability or One Health principles. Potential to connect to exercise science, the department’s other major intellectual theme, will also be explored, such as through interests in impacts of extreme heat, air quality, and toxicants on human physiology and performance.
Candidates must have a PhD, DrPH, or equivalent degree in public health science or a relevant field of natural science or engineering and have completed the requirements for the degree by July 1, 2027.
To apply, please submit the following materials online at https://apply.interfolio.com/193813: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) research statement (3 pages max); (4) statement of teaching philosophy (3 pages max); and (5) contact information for three references. The research statement and statement of teaching philosophy may also include plans for building a diverse and inclusive research group and fostering equitable and inclusive classrooms. Applications that are received by November 16, 2026, will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications until positions are filled. For additional information, please visit our department website or contact the search chairs, Dr. Cassandra Diep (csdiep@rice.edu) and Dr. Scott P. Egan (scott.p.egan@rice.edu).
Rice University is located in Houston, Texas, USA, and is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian university that aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. Rice fulfills this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. In our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in academia; accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff varied in background and thought; and maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our community.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
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