Open Rank Professor of Education (Biobehavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Health)

The University of Virginia Department of Kinesiology seeks a scholar with expertise in the Biobehavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Health 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 expertise in the biological and psychosocial determinants of physical activity and health, with a focus on how these factors interact across biological, behavioral, and environmental levels. We are eager to recruit a scholar whose work addresses downstream effects on human health and wellbeing, including cognitive function, mental health, and neurobehavioral outcomes across the lifespan. Experience with preventive exercise interventions and a demonstrated interest in implementation science are also preferred. We seek an innovative scholar who will meaningfully contribute to the exciting and collegial research environment within the Department of Kinesiology and across the University. The primary background of the successful candidate will likely be in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a closely related discipline. The successful candidate will have a clear and compelling research agenda.

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. They will work collaboratively with colleagues, both within and outside the School of Education & Human Development, to accomplish duties as a faculty member. These include contributing to institutional service activities at the department, school, and/or university level as assigned, to professional service activities, and attendance at department and school faculty meetings. Load is set annually between the department chair and faculty member consistent with the School’s Load Planning policy. 

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 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.

Duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to teaching, advising, mentoring and participation in program, departmental and school meetings are to be conducted primarily on-Grounds and in-person at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.

Charlottesville, VA is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is consistently listed among the top cities in the country in national rankings of the most desirable places to live. It brings together the best of many worlds, offering the livability and community of a small city with the amenities and cultural attractions (e.g., regular literary, film, musical, and theatrical festivals) of a metropolis. UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more please visit https://dualcareer.virginia.edu/. For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

 Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a closely related discipline (PhD, EdD, or equivalent) by the start date of the position
• Established line of research, commensurate with rank for which the candidate is applying, in the biobehavioral aspects of physical activity and health
• Prior college teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in the implementation science of exercise interventions
• Evidence of established extramural research funding
• Experience as a postdoctoral research scholar (or equivalent experience)
• Ability to implement a variety of pedagogical techniques appropriate for different types of learners
• Experience with preventive exercise interventions and a demonstrated interest in implementation science
• The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment.

Apply here (https://apply.interfolio.com/190661).  Complete this application and upload:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Detailed research statement
• 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 in early October, 2026, 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 Christopher Kuenze at ckuenze@virginia.edu.  For questions about the application process, please contact Raj Seneviratne, Director of Faculty Affairs at rs9c@virginia.edu.