The posting
Job Description
Introduction
The University of South Florida College of Education serves a community of over 2,200 students and 130 faculty members dedicated to advancing high-quality education through excellence in research, teaching, and learning. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fully approved by the Florida Department of Education, the College offers innovative teacher training and collaborative graduate programs aimed at developing educational leaders. In partnership with school districts across the Tampa Bay region, the College is committed to extending proven educational initiatives and exploring new approaches to preparing lifelong learners. Whether pursuing initial teaching certification or advancing professional development through graduate studies, the College provides comprehensive resources and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals.
Job Description
The University of South Florida (USF), a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), invites applications for an open-rank (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor) faculty position in Exercise Science & Kinesiology within the College of Education.
USF seeks a nationally and internationally recognized or rapidly rising scholar with a strong record of research excellence and demonstrated success securing competitive external funding. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued growth and national prominence of Exercise Science & Kinesiology at USF by developing and sustaining an impactful, externally funded research program.
This position represents a significant strategic investment in expanding the research profile, external funding portfolio, and scholarly impact of Exercise Science & Kinesiology. Particular interest will be given to candidates with a demonstrated record of securing substantial competitive external funding and leading impactful research programs. Candidates with experience serving as Principal Investigator on major federal grants are especially encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will build a productive research program while creating opportunities for colleagues and students to develop their scholarship and compete for external funding.
Responsibilities
Position Overview
Exercise Science & Kinesiology encompasses a broad and interdisciplinary scientific landscape focused on understanding human movement, physical activity and health, exercise, and performance across the lifespan. The successful candidate will contribute an innovative research program that complements and expands the existing strengths of the program while creating new opportunities for externally funded research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The area of scholarly expertise is intentionally open. Relevant areas may include, but are not limited to:
- Exercise physiology
- Skeletal muscle physiology and biology
- Sport and human performance
- Biomechanics and motor control
- Physical activity and health
- Exercise and chronic disease prevention or management
- Metabolism, obesity, and body composition
- Aging and exercise
- Cardiovascular or metabolic physiology
- Nutrition and exercise
- Behavioral aspects of physical activity and exercise
- Wearable technology and human performance monitoring
- Data science, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies applied to human movement, exercise, or health
- Other areas relevant to exercise science, kinesiology, human performance, or physical activity
Candidates may employ laboratory-based, clinical, translational, community-based, epidemiological, computational, or other rigorous approaches.
Responsibilities and Expectations
- Develop and sustain a nationally and internationally prominent research program.
- Secure substantial competitive external funding from federal agencies, foundations, industry, and/or other sponsors.
- Serve as Principal Investigator and provide leadership for externally funded research initiatives.
- Pursue interdisciplinary and collaborative research opportunities within USF and with external partners.
- Publish influential scholarship in leading peer-reviewed journals and other high-impact scholarly outlets.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to the development of the next generation of researchers and scholars.
- Contribute to the academic mission of the Exercise Science & Kinesiology program through teaching and service appropriate to rank.
- Build productive collaborations across departments, colleges, research centers, healthcare systems, community organizations, industry, and other external partners.
- Enhance the national and international visibility of Exercise Science & Kinesiology at USF.
- Engage in the Exercise Science and Kinesiology program.
Assistant, Associate Professors, and Professors in the Department of Educational & Psychological Studies at the USF College of Education are responsible to a Chair or to other appropriate administrators of a state university. Assistant, Associate Professors, and Professors are responsible for teaching, research, service and related administrative activities and for academic advising. Assistant, Associate Professors, and Professors may represent the University, College, or Department on university and/or statewide committees.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Earned doctoral degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity and an active research agenda related to Exercise Science & Kinesiology and consistent with appointment at a research-intensive university.
- Demonstrated success securing competitive external research funding, or strong potential appropriate to career stage.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.
- Evidence of effective teaching, mentorship, and engagement in academic programs, or demonstrated potential in these areas.
Candidates seeking appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level must demonstrate sustained scholarly productivity, substantive leadership on externally funded research, and national or international recognition commensurate with the proposed rank. Appointment rank and tenure status will be determined in accordance with University policies and the approved position authorization.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:
- Sustained success securing significant competitive external research funding as Principal Investigator or equivalent research leader, including federal funding where applicable.
- Evidence of successfully developing, expanding, or sustaining an externally funded program of research.
- National or international recognition for research excellence and impact.
- Demonstrated leadership of interdisciplinary research teams, laboratories, centers, institutes, or collaborative research initiatives.
- A compelling vision for expanding externally funded research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhancing the national prominence of Exercise Science & Kinesiology at USF.
Research Opportunity at USF
USF’s academic and health enterprise offers opportunities for collaboration across education, artificial intelligence and computing, engineering, medicine, public health, rehabilitation, data science, and technology. The successful candidate will help develop a sustained area of research strength that draws on these complementary capabilities and expands opportunities for faculty and graduate students.
This position provides an opportunity to strengthen existing areas of excellence in our program while establishing new directions for research and collaboration. The successful candidate will play an important role in expanding the program's external research portfolio, mentoring the next generation of scholars, building interdisciplinary partnerships, and elevating the national and international visibility of Exercise Science & Kinesiology at USF.
Candidates should be positioned to pursue sustained competitive funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DOD), or other federal agencies, foundations, or research partnerships appropriate to their agenda.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin on November 12, 2006 and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by November 16. Applications should be submitted through Careers@USF - Job ID 44534 and include the following materials:
- Cover letter with contact information, the rank sought, and a description of the candidate’s fit with this position.
- Full curriculum vitae.
- Research statement describing major scholarly contributions, competitive external funding and the candidate’s role in securing it, and a vision for building an interdisciplinary, externally funded research program at USF.
- Teaching and mentoring statement describing the candidate’s approach to graduate education, mentoring, and student success.
- Names and contact information for 3 professional references.
For additional information about the USF College of Education, visit https://www.usf.edu/education/
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
