Diagnostic Sciences Open Rank Professor and Chair- College of Dentistry

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is seeking an outstanding individual for the role of Chair in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences. This faculty position is available at either the Associate Professor or Professor rank, depending on qualifications and experience. The appointment will be tenure-track or non-tenure track based on qualifications and candidate preference. The Chair, Dept. of Diagnostic Sciences is a key leadership position within the College of Dentistry and will serve as a vital member of the Administrative Council and Chairs Council.

Responsibilities

The Chair will supervise all faculty members within the Department of Diagnostic Sciences as well as administrative and clinical staff.

Description/Duties

• Provide strategic leadership to advance excellence in patient care, education, research, & service activities within the department.
• Oversee departmental operations including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with other departments and colleges to enhance interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Foster a culture of academic excellence with a focus on innovative teaching methods.
• Support professional development opportunities and mentor junior faculty members.
• Develop strong relationships with external stakeholders to promote community engagement.
• Develop and oversee schedules for teaching and clinical care for the department.
• Provide clinical care and/or didactic course direction.

Participate in the work of the administrative council and other committees and carryout policies decided by the Dean of the College of Dentistry.

Clinic and Didactic Teaching

• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Lead the department to train students in imaging modalities such as panoramic, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and advanced imaging interpretation techniques. Emphasis on integrating radiologic findings into clinical decision-making and treatment planning.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: Instruction in disease identification, differential diagnosis, and the histopathologic basis of oral diseases, ensuring students are well-versed in correlating clinical findings with pathology reports.
• Biopsy Services: Hands-on training in specimen collection, preparation, and analysis, with a focus on diagnosing and managing oral lesions and systemic diseases with oral manifestations.
• Patient Screening and Comprehensive Diagnostics: Coursework on initial patient evaluations, diagnostic workups, and treatment planning for diverse clinical scenarios.
• Oversee the design and update curricula to include the latest advances in diagnostic sciences, ensuring students are exposed to cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based practices.
• Integrate interprofessional education by collaborating with other health sciences departments to teach the role of diagnostic sciences in broader healthcare settings.
• Assess and evaluate student performance through a combination of didactic exams, case presentations, and clinical competencies, providing constructive feedback to foster growth.
• Incorporate innovative teaching methods such as simulation-based learning, interactive case studies, and digital tools to enhance student engagement and understanding.

Patient Care Duties

• Ensure delivery of exceptional patient care services throughout the Department, maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
• Lead the integration of advanced diagnostic technologies and evidence-based practices into patient care workflows.
• Serve as a key consultant for complex diagnostic cases, providing expertise in radiologic and pathologic interpretation.
• Promote patient-centered care by ensuring effective communication and collaboration with other clinical departments.
• Contribute to community outreach efforts by supporting screening programs and educational initiatives to improve oral health literacy and access to care.

Research

• Lead and coordinate departmental research initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation and inquiry.
• Collaborate with the Dept. of Bioscience Research to implement research agendas aligned with the strategic goals of the College of Dentistry, with a focus on advancing diagnostic sciences.
• Mentor faculty and students in research activities, guiding them in study design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings through publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate interdisciplinary approaches into research efforts, particularly in radiology, pathology, and other diagnostic sciences.

Qualifications

Minimum Education: DDS/DMD or equivalent.

Required Licensure: Eligible for a Tennessee Dental License

Departmental Preferences:

• Academic leadership experience of at least 5 years within a dental school and/or academic environment.
• A strong record of scholarly activity including publications.
• Experience developing educational programs and curricula.
• Expertise in modern diagnostic techniques that may include digital radiography, CBCT imaging, biopsy procedures etc.
• Effective communication skills to effectively engage students, faculty colleagues, and patients.
• Leadership skills that inspire teamwork while promoting inclusivity and equity.
• Dental specialty training and board certification preferred

For benefits information, please visit https://www.uthsc.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefits-preview-packet.pdf

Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the flagship statewide, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UTHSC contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT's doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UTHSC spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UTHSC is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state's largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.

Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization.

Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley's Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.