Professor of Child and Adolescent Health

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) strives to advance science and health for all, through innovative research, advanced education, capacity-building and capacity-sharing with partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Within ITM, the Department of Public Health aims to improve the understanding of interlinked determinants of population health, including system-level, sociocultural, ecological and biological; to develop, implement and evaluate interventions that support and strengthen health of individuals and communities; and to co-create knowledge and capacity to contextualise, prevent, detect and adapt to local and global health challenges and threats.

One major academic field at the Department of Public Health is Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). This Group aims to contribute to the improvement of sexual, reproductive, and maternal health of populations primarily (but not only) in low resource settings, by collaborations in innovative research, advanced education, policy support and capacity-strengthening. We use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method inter-disciplinary approaches (e.g. epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, psychology, demography) to understand vulnerabilities as an evidence base towards improving outcomes.

Within this dynamic and interdisciplinary environment, there is an exciting opportunity for a Professor to establish and lead a new research unit in the field of Child and Adolescent Health.

The Professor of Child and Adolescent Health will be working closely with ITM colleagues in the three Departments, and with ITM partner institutions. They will (further) develop and lead a comprehensive portfolio of research, education, and capacity building in the field of child and adolescent health. Topics of research which would in particular strengthen the ITM’s policy plan include (but are not necessarily limited to):

-          Life-course approaches to child and adolescent health, including nutrition, lifestyle, infections, non-communicable diseases

-          Equitable access to high quality preventive and curative care, including (novel) vaccinations, and

-          Determinants of health and vulnerability (urbanization, conflicts and migration, gender, climate change etc.)

Role

·       You will develop a research, education and capacity building portfolio in the field of child and adolescent health

·       You will acquire competitive research funding and build a sustainable research unit

·       You will develop/join research partnerships, attract and mentor PhD students, and increase the international reputation and visibility of ITM’s work in this field 

·       You will explore and lead novel research collaborations with Flemish, European, and global academic centra, and strengthen scientific capacity through relevant research and education activities

·       You will develop and lead teaching activities on child and adolescent health within ITM’s post-graduate courses, the MSc in Public Health and elsewhere

·       You will lead the Unit and ensure its scientific activities and management, including the budgetary responsibility

·       Depending on their seniority, you will coach/mentor or advise/support the members of the unit. You will foster a collaborative and creative environment in which senior researchers are encouraged to develop their own research lines, and to invest in project writing and in teaching

·       You will ensure complementarity and synergies with the other units and Groups in the Department of Public Health, particularly but not exclusively with the SRH Group; and you will strive for interdepartmental collaboration in research, education and capacity strengthening.

Profile

·       You are a medical doctor with a specialisation in child and adolescent health

·       You have a PhD in a research domain that is relevant to (global) child and adolescent health

·       You have proven clinical and research experience in the field of child and adolescent health, including in resource-limited contexts

·       You have a track record of research and publications on topics related to child and adolescent health

·       You have a track record of successful grant writing and obtaining competitive funding

·       You have a proven reputation and access to international networks in the field of child and adolescent health, including in resource-limited contexts

·       You have a track record in teaching and coaching/mentoring at post-graduate and doctoral level

·       You are an inspiring leader within and outside your unit and the ITM, with focus on inclusiveness and empowerment

·       You are fluent in writing and speaking English and [preferably] in French. Active knowledge of Dutch is desirable, or willingness to learn Dutch

We offer you

ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to our mission. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients.

-          A full-time appointment. Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff : assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor.

-          A salary package depending or your profile an professional experience, and supplementary benefits, such as a private pension scheme, meal vouchers and reimbursement of transport costs. For candidates eligible for expat status under Belgian fiscal law, relocation, cost of living and other allowances can apply.

-          A research starting package, including coaching and training.

-          A strong research environment conducive to high level research (existing national and international research lines and network, Clinical Trials Unit and Center, travel clinic).

-          A collegial research environment and mentorship with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.

-          An immigration and relocation assistance package. We explicitly welcome candidates from low and middle income countries.