How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/134809: 
The materials below should be consolidated into 1 (one) PDF document before uploading to Interfolio.

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum vitae
• Leadership statement (1 page)
• Research statement (up to 2 pages)
• Teaching statement (1 page) that addresses, in part, inclusive teaching
• Diversity statement (1 page) that outlines how your research, teaching, service and/or outreach
  activities broadly contribute to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Please refer to this site for
  additional resources.
• Up to three examples of research publications. 
• Full names, email addresses, and phone numbers for three references.  
   

Review of applications will begin November 27, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations, applications, and expressions of interest will be held in confidence, and references will be contacted only with the candidate's permission.

Should you need support related to your system application experience, please visit this link or contact help@interfolio.com or (877) 997-8807, 9-6 Eastern Time M-F.

For questions about the position, please contact Search Committee Chair: Natalie Colabianchi, PhD (colabian@umich.edu or 734-647-3543)  
 

Summary

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is one of the highest-ranked public universities in the nation and one of the world's preeminent research institutions. The School of Kinesiology invites applications for a Program Chair at the rank of Tenured Associate or Full Professor to enhance research and teaching in our newest undergraduate degree program in Applied Exercise Science (AES). 

The successful candidate will serve as Program Chair for our rapidly growing program for an initial 3-year term with the possibility of renewal.  This will require excellent communication and collaboration skills and someone with a creative, growth-oriented leadership style. Furthermore, they will be expected to maintain a robust, ongoing research program and mentor and teach at the undergraduate, graduate, and/or postdoctoral levels.  The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to curriculum development to serve the rapidly growing demand by students for an applied exercise science degree.

The Applied Exercise Science program is interdisciplinary and translational in nature. Faculty in the program have diverse research interests ranging from physical activity interventions in clinical and community settings to the use of wearable technology to optimize performance.  Current faculty research includes: 1) developing, implementing, and evaluating physical activity (PA) interventions, in particular interventions for those from historically marginalized backgrounds, in order to improve PA behaviors, cognitive function, cardiovascular outcomes in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes, mental health, and well-being across life spans; 2) examining the effects of built and social environmental factors on physical and behavioral health across the lifespan; and 3) developing, implementing, and evaluating exercise and health behavior interventions for persons with chronic conditions including cancer survivors and those with multiple sclerosis or lupus. The faculty's substantial experience and expertise in designing and implementing large-scale funded (e.g., NIH and Department of Education) research studies in communities has provided outstanding mentorship for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The Applied Exercise Science program prepares students for employment or advanced graduate studies. The core curriculum of AES aligns with prescribed national standards and guidelines for exercise science programs. Flexible electives permit students to create a program that is unique to their intended career paths. Students pursue careers in health fields such as clinical exercise physiologist, prehabilitation or rehabilitation specialist, strength and conditioning coach, personal and/or group exercise specialist, and worksite wellness coordinator or careers in industry and business fields related to health promotion, marketing, management, and data analytics.

The Program Chair is responsible for providing leadership and setting the vision for the Applied Exercise Science program, leading monthly program faculty meetings, managing and leading the refinement of the program curriculum, leading efforts for recruitment and retention of AES students, leading the program level promotional reviews, and advising the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education on annual teaching assignments. The Program Chair appointment will include additional compensation and/or course reductions to support the work.

The School of Kinesiology is one of 19 independent academic units and one of seven health science schools and colleges within the University of Michigan. The School of Kinesiology is the top Kinesiology program in the United States. The School, led by Dean Lori Ploutz-Snyder, has 35 tenure-track faculty and approximately 1,200 students. In winter 2021, the school moved into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art academic and research building (Kinesiology Building), which is located in the heart of the University of Michigan's main campus. The $120M renovation project expands the School of Kinesiology's research, classroom, and office space to approximately 189,000 gross sq. ft. The research space includes a 9,800 sq. ft. biomechanics research suite, a 9,000 sq. ft. wet lab research suite, a 5,000 sq. ft. neuro research center, a 1,700 sq. ft. vivarium, a 3,500 sq. ft. clinical testing suite and exercise research center, and 2,000 square feet of general exercise space with flexible configuration that can be utilized for small group or community-based research activities. The School of Kinesiology is home to two university-wide research/education entities, the Human Performance and Sport Science Center (HPSSC) and the Michigan Concussion Center (MCC).

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan has a long and distinguished history as one of the first public universities in the nation. It is one of only two public institutions consistently ranked among the nation's top ten universities. With more than $1 billion in annual research expenditures, U-M has the second largest research expenditure among all universities in the nation, in addition to an annual general fund budget of more than $2.1 billion and an endowment valued at more than $17 billion. Adjacent to the central campus, Michigan Medicine, with its hospitals, clinics, and satellite offices, along with the Medical School, and School of Nursing, comprise one of the finest health systems in the country.  The University's prominent athletic programs and outstanding teaching and research programs in medicine, engineering, education, public health, and other related disciplines provide ideal collaborative, interdisciplinary opportunities for faculty. The university has a strong history of policy-relevant and community engaged research with centers and institutes that support research such as: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, The Edward Ginsberg Center, and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research Community Engagement Program.
 

Required Qualifications*

All candidates must have the following qualifications: 

• PhD, MD, or similar terminal degree in a related field (e.g., Kinesiology, Public Health)
   
• Demonstrated research expertise in any area of applied exercise science that will enhance existing research strengths in the school or establish new ones
  • These areas may include, but are not limited to the following: community-engaged physical activity interventions, cardiac rehabilitation, medically supervised exercise training of special populations, exercise psychology, athletic performance, translational and implementation science, worksite wellness, data science and analytics, and physical activity epidemiology. 
• A consistent and ongoing record of securing research funding
• Experience and skill in providing leadership that will advance the scholarly and curricular excellence of the Applied Exercise Science Program in the School of Kinesiology
• Strong track record of publishing high quality, peer reviewed research
• Mentoring and teaching undergraduate and/or graduate students in their area of expertise
• Proven success with contributing to a positive workplace culture, and ability to consistently demonstrate our school's core values is necessary.

Underfill Statement

This position is posted as Associate Professor/Professor. The rank of the selected candidates will depend upon the candidate's qualifications.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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