Position Description

Department of Physical Therapy
Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas.

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world, with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the globe and one of the Boston area’s largest employers. Chartered in 1869, the University today enrolls more than 37,000 students, including over 17,000 undergraduates, and employs more than 4,000 faculty members across 17 schools and colleges offering more than 300 programs of study. Its current annual operating budget is approximately $3.0 billion. BU’s students come from all 50 states and more than 180 countries. Students pursue studies on the Charles River and Medical Campuses as well as more than 170 study abroad and internship programs in over 30 cities around the world.  BU places a strong emphasis on collaborative convergent research with major initiatives in emerging areas such as neuroscience, systems biology, photonics, engineering biology, data science, urban health, global health and development, and emerging infectious diseases. Today BU is home to community centers such as the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, the Newbury Center for First-Generation Students, and the LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff. 

Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is a vibrant, collaborative community of learners, scholars, professionals, and practitioners who value excellence through scientific discovery, experiential education, inclusion, accessibility, creativity, and innovation. Serving some 1,300 undergraduate and 600 graduate students, the College offers nationally top-ranked professional degree programs—including occupational therapy (#1 according to U.S. News & World Report), speech-language pathology (#5,), and physical therapy (#20) — alongside undergraduate and graduate degrees in health science, human physiology, behavior and health, and nutrition. Supported by a robust culture of convergent research, Sargent College houses over 25 on-campus research laboratories, where faculty and clinicians advance knowledge in health and rehabilitation through interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous scholarship. Over 40% of the College’s annual budget derives from externally funded research grants, underscoring the strong research portfolio of its faculty. The College’s impact extends beyond academia into clinical practice and community health through integrated research centers, strategic partnerships, outreach initiatives, and the achievements of its graduates, all contributing to its reputation as a leader in advancing health and rehabilitation sciences. 

The Department of Physical Therapy at Boston University Sargent College is dedicated to advancing the understanding of health and well-being through rigorous academic programs, innovative research, and community engagement. The Boston University DPT program, a top-tier professional education program, is a community of leading educators, researchers, students, and alumni, dedicated to providing one of the finest educations in physical therapy in the world. The breadth and depth of our curriculum and scholarship, as well as our innovative spirit, are distinctive in the physical therapy community.

Responsibilities

Faculty at the Clinical Assistant Professor rank are expected to contribute to teaching within their assigned department, engage in scholarship in their area of expertise and contribute to service in the program, college and physical therapy profession.

We are seeking an individual with expertise and interest in teaching in the musculoskeletal systems content area within the DPT program.  This may include serving as the course instructor for Musculoskeletal Systems II involving the management of lower extremity conditions across the continuum of care. Teaching may also include contributing to other musculoskeletal courses as well as Comprehensive Clinical Reasoning. Candidates will develop a scholarly agenda leading to scholarly products relevant to the field. Responsibilities also include mentoring and advising undergraduate and graduate students in the Health Studies and DPT programs and serving on department, college and/or professional committees. We are seeking an individual to join a strong faculty, with a culture of teamwork and collaboration, who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of education to optimize the growth and development of our students.    

Qualifications of the successful candidate include:

• Professional degree (DPT) with a current PT license (Massachusetts eligible)
  

• Specialty training in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, such as residency and fellowship

• ABPTS board certification in Orthopedics

• A minimum of five years of continuous clinical practice

• Previous teaching experience within a professional graduate DPT program

• Evidence of scholarship and service to the physical therapy profession

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills

• Strong organization, administrative and problem-solving skills

Application Review

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications may be held in confidence at the applicant’s request until an invitation for an interview is extended.

Interested candidates should send the following materials electronically via Academic Jobs Online

• Letter of Intent
  
  
• Comprehensive Curriculum vitae
  
  
• Statement of clinical and teaching expertise related to Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  
  
• Candidates invited for interviews will be asked prior to the interview to provide the names and contact information for 3-5 references who have agreed to provide recommendations.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Pay Range: $88,000 to $105,000 (9-month appointment)

Within the pay range above, the starting salary will depend on several factors which may include direct related experience, expertise, education, skills, and location as well as internal equity.

Questions: We look forward to receiving your application. You are welcome to contact Diane Dalton, PT, DPT, OCS (ddalton@bu.edu), Search Committee Chair, for further information.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.  Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated finding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, final candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.