Job Description

The Department of Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan Medical School is seeking up to five assistant/ associate professors to expand substantially its Division of Learning and Knowledge Systems. The positions are full-time on the tenure-track, with rank and salary commensurate with education and experience. We seek innovative scholars from a wide range of disciplines, including, but not restricted to: information, computing and statistical sciences; public health; informatics; complexity and systems sciences; behavioral and social sciences; organizational and policy sciences; engineering; and economics. Faculty will collaboratively address the grand challenge of transforming health-related systems, locally and globally, into entities that learn and improve through continuous self-study in order to benefit the health of individuals and populations.

The Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS)

The DLHS is a first-in-the-nation academic department focused on learning applied to health at all levels of scale: individuals, teams, organizations, and ultra-large scale systems. DLHS operates in three divisions. (1) The Division of Learning and Knowledge Systems primarily focuses on learning at higher levels of scale. (2) The Division of Professional Education primarily addresses learning by individuals. (3) The Clinical Simulation Center deploys advanced simulation technology and conducts a related program of research. (The DLHS was formerly the Department of Medical Education. With its new name and mission, the department addresses a much broader scope of learning and change.)

The Division of Learning and Knowledge Systems

Within DLHS, the Division is an interdisciplinary community of scientists focused on improving health care at the levels of interprofessional teams, complex organizations, regional networks, and national and multi-national systems. The Division addresses how these systems can routinely “learn” and improve through continuous self-study and self-surveillance, applying analytical methods that convert data to knowledge, and subsequent application of that knowledge to drive beneficial change. In collaboration with colleagues across the campus, the Division’s research programs examine fundamental questions and develop novel methods related to the creation, operation, and sustainability of “learning systems” that support health care, public health, and biomedical research. Its educational programs will include a new doctorate in learning health sciences and opportunities to participate in the curricula of other schools and colleges within the University. The Division’s service activities will engage health systems in becoming “learning systems.” For further information about DLHS, and the Division, see http://lhs.medicine.umich.edu

Faculty responsibilities include

• Develop and lead collaborative, cutting-edge research programs related to the design, development, operation, and/or evaluation of learning health systems at the organizational, regional, national, and/or global levels of scale.
• Advance the field of learning systems through scholarly development and dissemination of theory, research, and innovation.
• Participate in developing graduate curricula and courses, and offer courses appropriate to the individual’s background.
• As time and priorities permit, assist health-related entities in becoming learning systems.
  Collaborate with colleagues in other schools and colleges within the University to advance shared missions.

Start-up packages are available to help successful candidates establish sustainable research programs. Joint appointments with other departments across the University will be available and encouraged.

To qualify for a position, an applicant must have

• A terminal research degree (PhD or equivalent, MD not required) in a relevant discipline – see examples in the first paragraph. We welcome applications from active clinicians with relevant postgraduate research training.
• An existing research focus related to the mission of the Division to advance large-scale learning health systems.
• A record of scholarly achievement appropriate to the applicant’s seniority and professional experience.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills for work in an interdisciplinary department.

Application

To apply, assemble and submit the following information:

• Letter of application, addressing the four qualifications listed above.
• Current curriculum vitae.

Application materials should be sent by email to:

Tana O’Lone tdeclerc@umich.edu
Associate Administrator, Department of Learning Health Sciences,
University of Michigan Medical School

Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.