Description
Howard University invites applications for a tenure-line faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor, as part of a university-wide AI Cluster Hiring Initiative focused on advancing the application of artificial intelligence to address health disparities and environmental health challenges.
About the Initiative
The AI Cluster Initiative aims to recruit scholars with expertise and research interests in the areas of social and environmental determinants of health and health disparities. This initiative is jointly led by the College of Medicine in partnership with the School of Social Work and the Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity (E3) in the College of Arts and Sciences. To address the dearth of AI research studies in health, especially for minoritized communities, this cluster faculty hire will consist of a faculty member who will collaborate on an interdisciplinary team to advance research projects.
Position Details
The successful candidate will be housed in the College of Medicine (COM) and develop an innovative, extramurally funded research program that applies AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and/or spatial data science to questions at the intersection of environmental health, health disparities, and clinical outcomes.
Research expertise in social and environmental determinants of health, biostatistics, data analysis, machine learning and/or other artificial intelligence techniques is desired. Examples of relevant research areas include: AI applications in environmental exposures and digital biomarkers; integrating EHR, environmental, GIS, and population health data;
NLP for extracting structured information from clinical and unstructured text; machine learning models for risk prediction and health inequities; social determinants of health and spatial modeling etc.
This faculty member will lead interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of computational health, AI, GIS, and medical data analysis and utilize data science and data engineering expertise to convert unstructured data into structured formats. The applicant will apply machine learning models to analyze and interpret complex environmental and health data, with a focus on digital biomarkers. Experience designing systems to capture unstructured EHR data with proficiency in Python or R programming, managing cloud solutions and database creation for Microsoft Azure, writing structured query language (SQL) and designing and maintaining efficient databases is required. The applicant will be expected to publish research findings in high-impact journals, present at conferences, and submit grant applications for their research projects.
This candidate will partner with other AI cluster faculty to develop interdisciplinary coursework including responsible and ethical AI in healthcare. The position includes access to significant institutional resources, including partnerships with Howard University Hospital, community-based research networks, and university-level research support services. The faculty member will contribute to teaching and mentoring medical, graduate, and undergraduate students and will have a joint appointment in either the School of Social Work or the E3 Department, depending on expertise.
Requirements
Why Join Howard University?
Howard University is a premier Historically Black College and University (HBCU) institution with a longstanding commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. Currently, it is the only HBCU classified as an R1 research-intensive university. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to:
Be at the forefront of interdisciplinary research combining AI and healthcare.
Join a vibrant academic community committed to addressing health disparities and advancing social impact.
Access robust resources, including collaborations with the Howard University Hospital.
Required Qualifications
M.D., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. or M.D./M.S. or equivalent degree in Environmental Health, Data Science, Epidemiology, Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science or a related field.
Strong expertise in the use of AI, machine learning, and natural language processing for data extraction and analysis.
Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its application in environmental health research.
Demonstrated experience with electronic health records (EHRs) and the application of digital biomarker data analysis.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a proven track record of publishing high-quality research.
Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and diverse research environment.
Preferred Skills
Experience with large-scale health data analysis, including the use of big data technologies.
Knowledge of regulatory and ethical considerations in working with health data, especially EHRs.
Familiarity with public health data, including environmental exposure assessment and health outcomes.
Experiences in database management, data visualization, and bioinformatics tools.
Spatial data science and model building surrounding social determinants of health
Teaching experience in environmental health or related fields is desirable, but not required.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following, in a consolidated, single PDF:
1. Cover letter addressing qualifications listed above
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Two-page statement of research accomplishments, interests, and future plans
4. Two-page statement of teaching experience and philosophy
5. Names and contact information for at least three references who will provide letters upon request from the search committee after the initial selection of final candidates
Completed applications should be addressed to the Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. Andrea Hayes-Dixon, and the Co-Chairs of the Search Committee, Dr. Carla M. Davis, and Dr. Forough Saadatmand, and submitted electronically to HealthAIFacultySearch@howard.edu. Screening will begin in December 2025, and continue until the position is filled. The desired starting date is August 1, 2026.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans’ status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans’ status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.
