Open Rank Professor of Education (Neuroscience of Exercise)

Description

The University of Virginia Department of Kinesiology seeks a scholar with expertise in the Neuroscience of Exercise for an open-rank, tenure eligible position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level. The Department of Kinesiology is housed in the School of Education and Human Development and has strong connections with many units across the University and UVA Health. The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of expertise in neuroscience research that examines the impact of exercise and physical activity on cognitive function and mental health. We seek an innovative scholar who will play a key role in contributing to the exciting and collegial research environment within the Department of Kinesiology and across the University. The successful candidate should have a strong record of interdisciplinary collaboration in the study of brain health. This position is partially funded through the University’s Grand Challenges Research Investments in the Brain and Neuroscience. The successful candidate will participate in the Grand Challenges community, including the Brain Institute, for research activities and programming.

The primary background of the successful candidate will likely be in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, or a closely related discipline. The successful candidate will have a clear and compelling research agenda that addresses the impact of exercise and physical activity on cognitive function and mental health. In particular, we are interested in a scholar whose expertise is in the neuroscience of exercise as it relates to cognitive function, health, and wellbeing and whose research is centered on human participants. Senior candidates seeking appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor should have evidence of sustained extramural research funding, while junior candidates seeking appointment as an Assistant Professor will be expected to seek and obtain such funding. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Kinesiology and contribute to training the next generation of scholars through mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues, both within and outside the School of Education & Human Development, to accomplish duties as a faculty member; contribute to institutional service activities at the department, school, and/or university level as assigned and to professional service activities; and will attend faculty meetings at the department and School level. Load is set annually between the department chair and faculty member consistent with the School’s Load Planning policy. 

The University of Virginia's 2030 plan recognizes the Brain and Neuroscience as a major societal challenge and an opportunity for multidisciplinary work that draws on our existing strengths. In partnership, the Provost and the deans of various schools are making multiple coordinated faculty recruitments to strengthen the research community focusing on Brain and Neuroscience across the University. Recruits will receive support from the Provost and from their school, and will participate in the Brain and Neuroscience Initiative. This is part of a major Grand Challenges research investment of over $75M in Brain and Neuroscience.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, or a closely related discipline (PhD, EdD, or equivalent) by the start date of the position
• Established line of research in the neuroscience of exercise with an emphasis on cognitive function and mental health in humans
• Prior college teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of established extramural research funding
• Experience as a postdoctoral research scholar (or equivalent experience)
• Proven record of collaboration with diverse groups of students and faculty
• Ability to implement a variety of pedagogical techniques appropriate for academically diverse learners

Application Instructions

To Apply: Complete an application online and upload:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Detailed research statement
• One page statement indicating how the candidate’s reseacrch program could align with the University’s Brain and Neuroscience Grand Challenge initiative
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Contact information for three professional references (References will not be contacted until after in-person interviews are conducted.)

The University of Virginia’s Mission Statement affirms its enduring commitment to a vibrant and unique residential learning environment marked by the free and collegial exchange of ideas; unwavering support of a collaborative, diverse community bound together by distinctive foundational values of honor, integrity, trust, and respect; and universal dedication to excellence and affordable access.

As part of your application, please describe your potential contributions to any aspect of this mission. Please focus upon your work skills and experience. In doing so, you may choose to refer to your personal perspective, but the focus of our consideration is on your potential contributions through skills and experience, rather than personal opinions or beliefs.

Review of applications will begin on or about November 22, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment.

For questions about the position, please contact search committee chair Professor Jason Allen at ja6af@virginia.edu. For questions about the application process, please contact Raj Seneviratne, Director of Faculty Affairs at rs9c@virginia.edu.

Charlottesville and central Virginia offer a distinctive community for both personal and professional activities. Charlottesville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is consistently listed among the top cities in national rankings of the most desirable places to live. It offers a thriving community, highlighted by regular literary, film, musical, theatrical, and historical festivals.

For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit https://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.