Virginia Tech seeks to recruit an innovative researcher in the area of exercise medicine with a focus on the impact of exercise/physical activity on health, including but not limited exercise immunology related to cancer prevention, cardiometabolic, skeletomuscular and neurocognitive health for a tenure track faculty position at the assistant professor level. The successful candidate should address issues of the health effects of regular exercise during development in childhood and/or throughout the adult lifespan with a focus on the cellular, molecular and organ systems’ effects of exercise. Investigators who focus on mechanistic understanding of the effects of exercise in human subjects and/or laboratory animal models with innovative genetic, biochemical, and/or physiological approaches in addition to strong computational/data analytic skills are encouraged to apply. The person hired for this position will join 44 other faculty led teams at the research institute that currently have an active portfolio of over $240 million in extramural research and training grants and contracts and will join the new FBRI Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR). The position will be located at the FBRI at VTC (https://research.vtc.vt.edu) on the university’s health sciences campus in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition to the original 100,000 square foot research institute that opened in 2010, an adjacent 139,000 square foot additional research building (http://fralinbiomed.info/buildingtour) recently opened in which the new faculty member will have their research program. The new CEMR is immediately adjacent to the research laboratories of the FBRI Center for Vascular and Heart Research, Cancer Research, Addiction Recovery Research Center, Center for Health Behaviors Research, Center for Neurobiology Research as well as Center for Human Neuroscience Research, offering additional opportunities for collaborations that span metabolism, cardiovascular science, cancer and neuroscience research. Facilities at the research institute include multiple research MRIs for human and animal research, including high field MR guided PET and MR guided focused ultrasound, multiple cellular/molecular imaging facilities, including spinning disc confocal microscopy, standard laser scanning confocal microscopy, scanning block face electron microscopy, super resolution microscopy, biochemical and molecular biology cores, including Mass Spec and proteomics as well as behavioral testing suites for animals and humans, as well as two human whole room calorimeters, metabolic kitchen and dining areas for the study of human nutrition and eating behaviors.

Applications will be reviewed continuously until the position is filled. It is expected that initial interviews will begin in October 15, 2026. To apply, please submit your application, including curriculum vitae, detailed statement of research accomplishments and plans, and teaching/mentoring philosophy at www.jobs.vt.edu, posting #537596. To complete the application, the applicant should also have at least three references post their letters of support when requested.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to the Executive Director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI), Dr. Michael J. Friedlander at friedlan@vtc.vt.edu or to the Director of the FBRI Center for Exercise Medicine Research, Dr. Zhen Yan at zhenyan1@vtc.vt.edu

Applicants should have an earned doctorate in physiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology exercise science or a related field, postdoctoral experience and a demonstrated record of accomplishment of research productivity. The successful applicant will be expected to establish and maintain a high-quality, extramurally-funded research program and participate in research mentoring of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students with some teaching in graduate programs.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

Commensurate with Experience

40+

October 15, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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