Professor Position: Regent’s Distinguished Research Professor (2 positions)

About UTEP:

The University of Texas at El Paso is a Carnegie R1 and Community Engaged research university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls 24,000 students, 84% of whom are Hispanic, and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. UTEP is one of the major economic engines in the region, adding more than $1.4 billion to the local economy annually.

The UT System Board of Regents established the Regents’ Research Excellence Program (RREP) to enhance and maintain the research competitiveness of the UT System (UTS). The goal of the RREP is to create a new group of distinguished research faculty to increase research competitiveness. El Paso’s active arts and culture community features the state’s longest-running symphony orchestra, a nationally recognized chamber music festival, art galleries, museums, and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. UTEP adds to the arts and entertainment scene with an award-winning dinner theater, music and dance productions, contemporary and student art galleries, and a natural history museum.

For sports fans, the UTEP Miners offer exciting Division I college athletics. Southwest University Park, located a mile away in downtown El Paso, is home to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and the El Paso Locomotive, a professional soccer team founded in 2019. 

El Paso County is a highly livable, bi-cultural community of more than 850,000 people that offers affordable homes and is often named one of the safest big cities in the United States. Shielded by mountains on three sides, El Paso enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually and a dry climate, making it possible to engage in outdoor activities year-round. The city of El Paso adjoins both the state of New Mexico and the country of Mexico; it is one of the largest international communities in the world. 

About the College of Health Sciences (CHS):

UTEP's College of Health Sciences (CHS) is dedicated to addressing health disparities, particularly among Hispanic and Border populations. With El Paso's unique demographics, CHS has access to a generational and economically diverse yet ethnically homogeneous population, making it an ideal setting for research and community engagement. CHS is committed to shaping and contributing to the social mobility of its students, providing opportunities for growth and advancement for all.

Position Overview:

The University of Texas at El Paso seeks a highly qualified full Professor to join its College of Health Sciences (CHS) and play a pivotal role in developing a Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases. The faculty member will have the opportunity to be appointed in the Department(s) of Kinesiology, Public Health Sciences, or Social Work depending on the candidate’s background and preference. Faculty hired into the rank of tenured full professor will be given the additional honorific title of Regent’s Distinguished Research Professor; other RREP faculty can earn this title upon promotion to full professor with tenure. In this role, the faculty member will collaborate with current diabetes and metabolic disease researchers and lead initiatives addressing health inequities. They will play a critical role in shaping the strategic vision of the center, driving research, translation, implementation, and training efforts.

The faculty member will be expected to collaborate closely with existing researchers within CHS who conduct multicultural and binational research. We are looking for a candidate to leverage their expertise to elevate the research portfolio of the college and the center. This will involve leading interdisciplinary teams, harnessing partnerships with community stakeholders, and pursuing external funding opportunities. By leveraging the collective knowledge and resources within CHS, the faculty member will drive innovation and excellence in research, ultimately advancing our understanding of diabetes and metabolic disorders and their practical applications for improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of securing external grants, a strong record of publications, and engaging in impactful research. They will bring a commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting health equity, aligning with CHS's mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change in our region and beyond.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in the Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Health Equity Initiative leading to a center that advances translational and implementation research and training opportunities for doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty.
• Mentor CHS junior faculty, post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students in grantsmanship to secure external funding focused on diabetes and metabolic disorders health equity.
• Collaborate with CHS scholars.
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within the CHS and across campus in diabetes and metabolic disorders research relevant to the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate or other terminal degree in a field related to health research.
• Professor or Associate Professor with a strong record of externally funded grants from NIH or equivalent.
• Expertise in metabolic disorders, diabetes, or related behavior/condition demonstrated by a strong record of publications and extramural funding.
• Demonstration of commitment to translational, implementation and/or community-based research among health disparate populations.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated record of mentorship of doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows and/or early-career faculty members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in conducting research with Latino/Hispanic populations.
• Demonstrated leadership in academic or professional settings.
• Demonstrated leadership roles in translational and/or implementation science centers.

Benefits and Opportunities:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Competitive start-up package
• Opportunity to shape and lead a cutting-edge research center addressing critical health disparities.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, research support services, and collaborative partnerships across campus and the region.

Application Process:

To apply for this position, candidates must submit the following: 1) a letter of interest addressing how the candidate meets each required qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications; 2) curriculum vitae; and 3) complete contact information for at least three references. Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.  

For more information about the position, contact:

Dr. Sudip Bajpeyi, Search Committee Chair
Department of Kinesiology 
[email protected] 

To apply, visit https://www.utep.edu/human-resources/services/employment.

Additional Information:


In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.