Assistant Professor - Biomechanics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Job Info

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Department:

Exercise and Sport Science - 318600

Posting Open Date:

09/26/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Position Type:

Permanent Faculty

Working Title:

Assistant Professor - Biomechanics

Appointment Type:

Tenured/Tenure Track

Vacancy ID:

FAC0005264

Full-time/Part-time:

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week:

40

FTE:

1

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Proposed Start Date:

07/01/2025

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Potential applicants should have a strong interest in developing impactful collaborative opportunities within the Department, across the College of Arts and Sciences, and across the greater UNC community (including the nationally ranked School of Medicine and Gillings School of Global Public Health, Human Science Curriculum and Department of Biomedical Engineering).

Applicants should have a record of scholarly productivity and interdisciplinary research. The interest areas of the applicant should align with and complement the faculty affiliated with the Department of Exercise and Sport Science that are collecting biomechanics data including MOTION Science Institute, UNC Sports Medicine Institute, and/or the Matthew Gfeller Center.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science (exss.unc.edu) supports an undergraduate program of over 1,400 undergraduate majors with three specialization areas (Exercise and Sport Science, Fitness Professional, Sport Administration); a Master of Arts graduate program enrolling ~60 students also with three specializations (Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, Sport Administration); and a doctoral program in Human Movement Science in partnership with the UNC-CH School of Medicine (hmsc.unc.edu). The mission of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS) is to discover, create and promote knowledge of human movement to improve the quality of life of individuals and society. The mission of EXSS is further enhanced through interdisciplinary cooperation and departmental faculty securing competitive extramural funding in the form of contracts and grants. These endeavors enable the department to advance knowledge and thus serve the state and nation.

The teaching, research, and service efforts of the EXSS Department are supported by an outstanding faculty and staff, which currently includes: 33 full-time faculty, 9 part-time (fixed term) faculty, 20 joint appointment / adjunct faculty, 8 emeritus faculty, 25 full-time EXSS staff members, and 16 full-time Campus Recreation staff members.

Position Summary:

Deepen and expand research in any area of biomechanics (e.g., upper or lower extremity, spine, blast mechanics, head impact, etc.) while teaching in areas related to exercise and sport science, biomechanics, and/or motor control.

Engage in innovative and highly impactful scholarship that will diversify and enhance our research, teaching, and public outreach missions, and translate this research to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in biomechanics, neuromuscular control, motor control, and/or sports medicine.

Assume a lead research role within the Department of Exercise and Sport Science within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Responsibilities:
- Plan, establish, and develop a focused independent research agenda, demonstrate a significant publication record and demonstrate a record of extramural grant submission
- Seek extramural funding to support research efforts
- Collaborate with colleagues across campus and in Exercise and Sport Science to support and develop multidisciplinary research projects
- Serve as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students across a diverse student population
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Exercise and Sport Science related to biomechanics, neuromuscular control, motor control, sports medicine and/or other classes aligning with the candidate's expertise as requested by the department Chair
- Serve as a research advisor and/or committee member for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science
- Participate as a core faculty member and contribute to mentoring doctoral trainees in the Human Movement Science doctoral program
- Perform other responsibilities and duties as may be assigned by the department Chair

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

- An earned doctorate (or terminal degree) in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Engineering, Neuroscience, Motor Control, Sports Medicine, or related field with demonstrated expertise in biomechanics is required.
- Record of, or strong potential for, securing extramural research funding and/or currently working on extramurally funded projects is required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

- Record of research publications is preferred
- Experience mentoring students is preferred
- Collegiate-level teaching experience is preferred

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions:

The application should include the following: 1) letter of application, 2) a Research Statement (no more than 3 pages) highlighting the applicant's previous and ongoing research, plans for future innovation, and potential collaborators, 3) a Teaching Statement (no more than 2 pages) describing the candidate's teaching philosophy, potential classes to teach and/or develop, and experiences mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and 4) complete academic curriculum vitae. Applicants are also required to identify the names, titles/positions, email addresses, and phone numbers of four (4) professional references who may be contacted with instructions for submitting recommendation letters.

Review of applicants will begin October 25, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

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