University of Connecticut, Department of Kinesiology

Program ID:UConn-Department of Kinesiology-495874 [#20622, 495874]
Program Title: Assistant Professor in Residence in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Program Type:Non tenure-track faculty
Location:Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Areas: Kinesiology
Physical Therapy
Appl Deadline: finished (2021/11/24, finished 2022/04/07)
Description:    

*** this program has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a full-time (11-month appointment, 70% teaching, and 30% scholarship/administration/advising) faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Residence (non-tenure-track). The anticipated start date is August 23, 2022. 

The Department of Kinesiology is one of eight academic units within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and offers an undergraduate major in Exercise Science; two nationally accredited professional programs (Master of Science in Athletic Training, Doctor of Physical Therapy); as well as masters and doctoral degrees in Exercise Science. With 20 faculty, 150 undergraduates, and 135 graduate students, we actively engage in educating and training the next generation of health professionals.

UConn has offered a degree in Physical Therapy for over 65 years, starting as a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and culminating in the current Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) offered since 2007 as the requirements for entry-level degrees for licensure in physical therapy evolved. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and is an important contributor to addressing state and regional workforce needs in physical therapy.   

CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s four strategic priorities. 

  • Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply  
  • Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally  
  • Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces  
  • Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate  
  • Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms

The CAHNR Strategic Vision (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues/) provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis. 

The University of Connecticut and the Department of Kinesiology both embrace diversity as a core value and strive to attract, retain, and facilitate the success of talented people from all backgrounds. The Department of Kinesiology has exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with investigators, particularly in health-related disciplines, both at UConn Storrs and UConn Health. For further information, please visit the Department website (https://kins.uconn.edu/).

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Primary teaching responsibilities will be in the area of neurological conditions across the life span and advising students in the DPT program. Service to the program, Department, and College are required. Contributions to the scholarly productivity of the DPT program are expected. As a member of the core, clinical teaching faculty, the successful applicant will contribute to the ongoing review and updating of the DPT curriculum to help ensure that students are trained in a manner consistent with contemporary, evidence-based best practice. The successful applicant will have opportunities to contribute to the design and development of DPT program growth initiatives.

The successful candidate will work under the advisement of program and department leadership and function effectively as a team member with faculty and staff in the DPT program and the Department.  The successful candidate will also be expected to support the Department’s efforts to recruit and retain students from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups; demonstrate through teaching and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experience; and help develop student competency in addressing cultural, structural/systemic, and environmental factors that influence health.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

  • Teach graduate classes and lab sections that reflect evidence-based contemporary practice in the DPT program, as well as participate in team-teaching graduate classes in traditional and hybrid online courses in the area(s) of neurological rehabilitation, geriatrics, and/or pediatrics.
  • Coordinate and supervise part-time integrated clinical education experiences including site development.
  • Participate in health-related public engagement and pro-bono clinical activities.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of, and the ability to perform contemporary evidence-based practice.
  • Participate in investigator-initiated or collaborative research in their area of expertise.
  • Broaden participation among members of under-represented groups by demonstrating the richness of diversity in research, teaching, and/or public engagement and integrating multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools.
  • Provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.
  • Participate in an active program of professional development consistent with personal and professional goals.
  • Share a deep commitment to effective graduate student instruction, development of innovative courses and, mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development.
  • Participate in the shared service responsibilities (e.g., committees, faculty meetings, retreats) expected of all faculty in the Department and College.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Eligible for PT licensure in CT
  • Doctorate in a health-related field or higher education
  • A minimum of five years of experience in a relevant clinical domain.
  • Record of contemporary clinical expertise in physical therapy management of individuals in neurological, geriatric, and/or pediatric populations.
  • Demonstrated excellence in both verbal and written communication
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Strong commitment and value for promoting and supporting diverse and inclusive educational and research programming

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Current APTA specialist certification (e.g., NCS, GCS, PCS)
  • Previous teaching experience in an institution of higher education, demonstrating excellence in teaching
  • Experience in DPT education that includes course development, classroom and laboratory teaching, conducting, and managing learning experiences, evaluating student achievement, and contributing to curriculum development
  • Experience in delivering post-professional physical therapist education in a residency or fellowship program
  • Experience in advising students in individualized research projects, Honors Theses, or in the development of comparable student scholarly products.
  • Experience in integrating technology into instruction and/or conducting online instruction
  • Record of scholarly activity with demonstrated potential to contribute to a successful research program
  • A record of ongoing service to the profession of physical therapy.
  • Experience in understanding and contributing to cultures of inclusive excellence, including working with those who have historically experienced barriers to achieving health and well-being 
  • Knowledge of current accreditation/certification procedures required to meet and maintain CAPTE accreditation standards.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 11-month faculty position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022.  It is a non-tenure track appointment that is eligible for promotion to Associate Professor in Residence and Professor in Residence. This appointment is renewable annually and may lead to successive multi-year contracts. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the Department of Kinesiology’s DPT program at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20622 and submit the following application materials:

  • A cover letter,
  • Curriculum vitae,
  • Names and contact information for at least three letters of reference.

For the statements below please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College’s success in achieving its Strategic Vision

  • Teaching statement maximum of two pages (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
  • Commitment to diversity statement maximum of two pages (including broadening participation, integrating culturally-sustaining approaches in instruction and research, promoting equity through scholarship and community engagement, and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.).

For full consideration, applications and supporting materials should be received by January 2, 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Inquiries about the position should be sent by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Deborah Bubela (email: Deborah.bubela@uconn.edu).

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the description.

Further Info:
http://kins.uconn.edu/
email address
 
University of Connecticut
Department of Kinesiology
2095 Hillside Rd
Unit 1110
Storrs, CT 06269-1110