Open Rank Professor, 9 Month Salaried - School of Dance

Job Title: Open Rank Professor, 9 Month Salaried - School of Dance
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 63592
Department

School of Dance

Responsibilities

The Florida State University School of Dance invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Open Rank Faculty in Dance with expertise in Dance Science, Dancer Health and Wellness, and evidence-informed approaches to dancer training. We seek a collaborative scholar, educator, and mentor whose work bridges scientific inquiry, embodied practice, and creative exploration in ways that advance the preparation and well-being of dancers. Situated within our nationally recognized Dancer Training Program, this position offers a distinctive opportunity for an individual whose expertise may span areas such as applied science, performance research, pedagogy, somatic practices, rehabilitation, conditioning, creative scholarship, or interdisciplinary inquiry, while maintaining a clear commitment to optimizing dancer development through research-informed practice. The successful candidate will join a dynamic community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to innovation, excellence, and the evolving future of dancer training.

Teaching

• The successful candidate will contribute to the School's nationally recognized Dancer Training Program through teaching that reflects expertise in dance science, dancer health and wellness, and evidence-informed approaches to training.
• Teaching courses such as Dance Conditioning, Dance Kinesiology, Science of Dance Training, Dance Coaching, Research in the Dance Sciences, and related topics.
• Contributing specialized instruction in areas aligned with the candidate's expertise, such as Pilates, Gyrotonic, Yoga, Strength and Conditioning, Somatic Practices, Motor Learning, Injury Risk Management, Rehabilitation-Informed Training, Dance Technique, and other movement-based practices.
• Developing innovative courses and learning experiences that integrate scientific inquiry, embodied practice, creative exploration, and emerging approaches to dancer development.

Research and Creative Scholarship

The successful candidate will maintain an active research and/or creative scholarship agenda that advances the preparation, performance, health, and well-being of dancers.

• Conducting research related to dancer health, wellness, performance optimization, conditioning, pedagogy, injury risk management, motor learning, and related areas of dance science.
• Disseminating scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other professional activities and venues with national and international reach.
• Engaging in applied, practice-based, and creative forms of inquiry that connect research with studio, classroom, laboratory, rehearsal, or performance settings.
• Contributing to the continued evolution of dance science through interdisciplinary, collaborative, and innovative approaches to research and artistic practice.

Service

The successful candidate will contribute to the shared governance and mission of the School of Dance through service to the program, university, and profession.

• Serving on the Dance Conditioning and Wellness Committee and supporting initiatives within the School's Movement Training Laboratory.
• Contributing expertise to programs and initiatives that promote dancer health, wellness, and performance excellence.
• Participating in School, College, and University governance through committee work and other service assignments determined through faculty governance processes and in consultation with the Chair.
• Engaging in professional service activities that support the broader fields of dance science, dancer training, and higher education.

Mentoring and Student Development

The successful candidate will mentor undergraduate and graduate students as artists, scholars, researchers, and movement practitioners.

• Advising students pursuing interests in dance science, dancer health and wellness, movement training, performance coaching, or related fields.
• Mentoring student research, creative scholarship, and practice-based inquiry.
• Guiding students in the application of evidence-informed approaches to performance preparation, training, recovery, and injury-risk reduction.
• Supporting students' professional development and preparation for careers in academic, artistic, clinical, research, or interdisciplinary settings.
• Contributing to an environment of student success through mentoring that extends across teaching, scholarship, service, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution or the highest degree appropriate in the field of specialization from an accredited institution in one of the dance sciences or a related field with an emphasis on working with dancers.
• Evidence of scholarly, creative, or applied research activity related to dancer development, health and wellness, performance optimization, pedagogy, movement training, or closely related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a collaborative academic environment and to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students in advancing initiatives related to dancer training, health, and wellness.
• Demonstrated commitment to evidence-informed practice and the integration of research, embodied knowledge, and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching courses related to dance science, dancer health and wellness, movement training, conditioning, kinesiology, performance preparation, pedagogy, coaching, or related fields.
• Experience teaching, coaching, training, or facilitating movement-based practices such as Pilates, Gyrotonic, Yoga, Strength and Conditioning, Somatics, Motor Learning, Injury Risk Management, Rehabilitation-Informed Training, Dance Technique, or other approaches that support dancer development and well-being.
• Active research, creative scholarship, or applied professional practice that advances understanding of healthy and effective dancer training.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students in research, creative inquiry, professional practice, or career pathways related to dance science, dancer health and wellness, and movement training.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge scientific inquiry, embodied practice, and artistic exploration in teaching, scholarship, or professional work.
• Familiarity with quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and/or practice-based research approaches relevant to dancer training and performance, including experience with small-N and within-subject research designs.

Other Information

The College of Fine Arts at Florida State University is dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, creative exploration, and scholarly inquiry across a variety of disciplines. Our renowned faculty and staff educate and empower students to become visionary performers, artists, educators, art historians, designers, curators, art therapists, researchers, and arts administrators who shape the future of the visual arts, healing arts, performing arts, and design. Through passionate teaching, community engagement, innovative research, and artistic practice we enrich lives, elevate artistic expression, and inspire positive change and well-being in society.

Dance has been included in Florida State University’s offerings for over 90 years, with a major degree program for more than 60 of those years. It has been recognized as a leader among college dance programs. Graduates of our programs include dancers, teachers, scholars, and leaders in companies, schools, universities, and art organizations in the United States and abroad. Montgomery Hall is one of the best dance facilities in the nation. The Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) is an internationally recognized dance research center and part of the School of Dance. This unique and visionary institute brings a steady stream of prominent and emerging dance artists to campus to create and develop the work that the rest of the world will experience in years to come. Add to this mix an esteemed faculty and talented, highly motivated students, and it is easy to see why we are excited for what is to come.

Contact Info

Search Committee Chair: Professor Gwen Welliver

University Information

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!

Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses.

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How To Apply

If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Faculty Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.

Applicants are required to submit:

• Examples of excellence in research or creative activity or excellence in teaching.
• CV
• One-page statement of their accomplishments over the last five years.
• Discussion of their teaching, research and service (no longer than six pages).
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three references.

Confidential Letters of Reference: This position requires that you have three confidential professional letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Follow the steps below to request these letters through our system:
1) After submitting your application, click the Explore Jobs link;
2) Click the My References link;
3) Click the Send/View Reference Request button next to the appropriate position; and
4) Follow the steps on that page to send your references a system generated email requesting they submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

You may also return to the My References link and click on "Send/View Reference Request" to see if your references have responded, add additional references, or resend requests.

Candidates who currently hold tenure and are seeking appointment with tenure at Florida State University will need to submit the materials for evaluation if selected. These materials are required to support the tenure review process at the time of hire. Finalists may be asked to provide the below additional documentation as part of the evaluation.

Considerations

This is a Faculty position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

This position is being advertised as open until filled.

Review of applicants will begin on December 1, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.