Summary Description:

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University seeks to fill the position of Director of the Institute of Human Nutrition.

This Institute of Human Nutrition, now in its 50th year, is one of the leading international venues for research and training in basic nutrition science. With a primary faculty of 40 research scientists (Predoctoral) representing virtually all basic science and clinical departments of the Irving Medical Center, the Institute has a large portfolio of NIH-funded research. This portfolio provides training opportunities for 30 predoctoral students (Graduate Program in Nutritional and Metabolic Biology) who are supported by a T32 grant to the Institute, and 80 students who are enrolled in the Masters (MS) in Human Nutrition program (13 faculty). At the Medical Center in the aggregate there are a total of 47 T32 grants with 131 Postdoc and 135 Predoc positions.
The IHN also benefits from the resources of NIH Center grants in both nutrition/obesity and diabetes. Virtually all areas of research emphasized in the recent NIH Strategic Plan for Nutrition Research are represented in the laboratories affiliated with the Institute.

The Director will be a scientist with an active research program who is capable of leading the Institute by leveraging current excellence in the physiology of body weight regulation, diabetes, cell biology, lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease and outstanding institutional resources to extend the institute's current contributions to nutrition-related science and training. Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to: systems biology of nutrition-related phenotypes; nutrition and metabolic aspects of cancer biology and atherosclerosis; contributions of aging and dysmetabolism to neurodegeneration; the microbiome in metabolic homeostasis and disease susceptibility; effects of metabolism on epigenetics and gene regulation; developmental contributions to disease in later life.

An explicit aim of this search is to identify a scientist who can further tighten and coordinate research activities among IHN members, and further promote the engagement of the Institute with other programs throughout the University.

The Columbia University Medical Center, located in Northern Manhattan, includes the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons as well as schools of public health, dentistry, nursing, the NY Presbyterian Hospital and the NY State Psychiatric Institute. The closely affiliated Zuckerman Mind, Brain and Body Institute (ZMBBI) is located nearby. Medical center faculty number over 2000; total student enrollment is over 3000, and annual research expenditures are over $600M.

The search committee is especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Columbia University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.