Working/Functional Title
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System
Position Summary
The Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University invites applications for five tenure-system faculty positions slated to begin in August 2024. Specifically, one position is open for appointment at the assistant, associate, or full professor level, depending on qualifications and experience. The remaining four positions are designated at the assistant professor level. This cluster hire represents a significant strategic investment by MSU to advance the Department of Kinesiology. The initiative is in response to the department's consistent and robust growth over the last 30 years. Currently boasting around 1,500 enrollees, the undergraduate Kinesiology major has evolved into one of the most popular academic programs at MSU and is highly sought-after nationwide. Both MSU and the Department of Kinesiology are deeply committed to fostering a dynamic and diverse research and academic environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals who bring a range of perspectives and cultural backgrounds to their scholarly work. We also encourage applications from scholars who support open, transparent, and replicable science and are interested in translating laboratory research to pragmatic interventions that can benefit people's lives in community and clinical settings.
We are seeking qualified candidates with expertise in the following domains of kinesiology for a tenure-system position (in no order of importance or priority):
1. One tenure-system position is available in the field of Exercise Physiology. This position aims to broaden our research portfolio and graduate education offerings. We welcome applications encompassing all research focus areas within exercise physiology. Scholars with a translational approach — from "benchtop to bedside" — are particularly encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will complement and extend our department's existing expertise in areas such as muscle physiology, metabolism, immunobiology, genomics, and other emergent or cutting-edge domains in exercise physiology research.
2. One tenure-system position is available in the field of Biomechanics. We welcome candidates from all research areas within the biomechanics field. Specifically, we are interested in scholars who can create synergies with our existing specializations in injury, rehabilitation, and clinical biomechanics, as well as neuromotor control, learning, and development. We also aim to expand our expertise into currently untapped, yet promising, domains such as modeling and computational biomechanics, human-machine interfaces, exoskeleton design, user interface design, and ergonomics.
3. One tenure-system position is available in the field of Exercise Neuroscience. We seek a scholar with interdisciplinary training whose research aligns with our established strengths in cognitive neuroscience, neuromotor control, and concussion studies. Ideal candidates will have experience in various neuroimaging techniques, such as electroencephalography, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. We are particularly interested in researchers who focus on societally impactful issues like cognitive impairment, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Applicants engaged in basic research using animal models are also encouraged to apply.
4. One tenure-system position is available focusing on Community-based Physical Activity Interventions. We are particularly interested in scholars who view physical activity as a mechanism for addressing health disparities and healthcare inequity. Candidates with graduate training in epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based practice, and the design and evaluation of clinical trials will be highly valued, as we aim to translate research into practical interventions for both community and clinical settings.
5. One tenure-system position is available in the field of Athletic Training. We seek a certified athletic trainer capable of teaching in and enhancing our accredited Master's in athletic training program (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, CAATE), as well as improving the course options in our doctoral concentration of Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess a robust research program relevant to athletic training, which broadens the existing departmental expertise outside of concussion and knee injury research.
The ideal candidate for any of these positions will not only strengthen the department's research and grant portfolio but also demonstrate a commitment to high-caliber teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. A strong emphasis on service to the institution, the broader profession, and the community is also expected. Additionally, we highly value candidates with a proven record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through their research, teaching, and service commitments.
Across each of these domains, the job responsibilities include:
• Establish and sustain a scholarly research program of societal significance that augments the department's strengths, enhances its reputation, and contributes to graduate student recruitment.
• Seek and secure external funding sufficient for ongoing, stable research activity.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with both expertise and departmental needs.
• Actively recruit, advise, and mentor master's and Ph.D. students.
• Provide service relevant to the department, college, university, profession, and wider community.
Environment
The Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University is one of the oldest in the United States, first established as the Department of Physical Culture in 1899. Today, kinesiology is one of the largest undergraduate majors on campus, with approximately 1,500 students. Our graduate programs total approximately 120 students, and our doctoral program in Kinesiology is ranked among the top 25 in the evaluation of doctoral programs conducted by the National Academy of Kinesiology. All major areas of kinesiology are represented, including exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, motor control and learning, biomechanics, and athletic training. The department is characterized by a strong focus on student success, a vibrant research culture, and a collegial and family-friendly atmosphere.
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 165 years. The nation’s first land-grant university, MSU was founded with the goal of democratizing higher education and bringing science and innovation into everyday life. Today, MSU makes an impact in communities from East Lansing to East Africa as it pushes the boundaries of discovery, expands opportunity, and advances equity to make a better, safer, healthier world for all. One of the world's leading research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities, MSU offers nationally ranked and recognized academic, undergraduate research, residential college, and service-learning programs and is a leader in study abroad among public universities. A diverse and inclusive academic community, MSU enrolls more than 50,000 students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries, employs nearly 2,000 tenure-system faculty members, and offers more than 400 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
The Lansing metropolitan area surrounding MSU’s campus has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. Michigan State University is proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual-career families, both inside and outside the university, and respects all family forms. Information about Michigan State University's dual career support can be found at
http://miwin.msu.edu/. Information about WorkLife at Michigan State University can be found
http://worklife.msu.edu/. Information about Michigan State University Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, including the Diversity Research Network can be found
http://www.inclusion.msu.edu/.
Michigan State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. We collectively acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. In particular, the university resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. We at Michigan State University recognize, support,
and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Kinesiology or related field
Minimum Requirements
Required Degree: Doctorate in kinesiology or related field, including but not limited to community or public health, medicine, biomedical engineering, and rehabilitation sciences (or evidence that the doctoral degree or equivalent will be completed prior to the start of the appointment)
Minimum Qualifications: Doctorate in kinesiology or related field, including but not limited to community or public health, medicine, biomedical engineering, and rehabilitation sciences (or evidence that t
Desired Qualifications
All applicants with an outstanding record in any one (or more) of the five domains listed above will be given fair and careful consideration. Post-doctoral experience and a research focus that complements and expands our current strengths will be looked upon favorably. The successful candidate will demonstrate ability to carry out cutting-edge and/or societally beneficial research, substantial potential for obtaining external funding, strong commitment to teaching and mentorship of students, and initiative in building an equitable and diverse scholarly and instructional environment. Scholars with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, who will enhance our multicultural environment of research, teaching, and service, are enthusiastically encouraged to apply.
Required Application Materials
• A cover letter that addresses the relation of the candidate's interests to the ongoing research and instructional activities of the department. The cover letter should indicate the position(s) that the candidate would like to be considered for.
• A curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications (DOI links will be appreciated), any record of research funding, teaching and mentoring roles, contributions to the academic community, and efforts in public outreach.
• A detailed research statement highlighting past research accomplishments and future plans, emphasizing the ability of the applicant to establish an independent research program at Michigan State University. This statement should also address the applicant's experience or plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the kinesiology research community.
• A teaching and mentoring statement describing the applicant's experience and future goals in instruction and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students. We strongly encourage including information about the candidate's experience or plans to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment for students.
• Contact information for three individuals who have agreed to serve as professional references. All three individuals should be able to attest to the applicant's professional integrity and collegiality, at least two should be knowledgeable regarding the applicant's current research and future plans, and at least one should be able to address the applicant's instructional experience and ability. Written letters of recommendation will be requested for candidates who are invited for interviews.
Special Instructions
The review of applications will begin on November 17, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding this position announcement may be directed to the members of the search committee:
• Karin Pfeiffer, kap@msu.edu, Committee Co-Chair
• Rajiv Ranganathan, rrangana@msu.edu, Committee Co-Chair
• David Ferguson, fergu312@msu.edu
• Spyridoula Vazou, svazou@msu.edu
• Nicholas Myers, myersni1@msu.edu
• Matthew Harkey, harkeym1@msu.edu
• Francesca Genoese, genoesef@msu.edu, student member
Review of Applications Begins On
11/17/2023
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
https://education.msu.edu/kin
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
