INTRODUCTION

The Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a full-time (9-month appointment: 60% teaching, 30% administration/advising, 10% scholarship) faculty position at the rank of Instructor/Assistant Professor in Residence. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2023. 

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 master and doctoral degrees in Exercise Science. With 19 faculty, 165 undergraduates, and 150 graduate students, we actively engage in educating and training the next generation of health professionals, educators, and scholars.

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 University of Connecticut (UConn) is in the midst of a transformational period of growth supported by the $1.7B Next Generation Connecticut (http://nextgenct.uconn.edu/) and the $1B Bioscience Connecticut (https://health.uconn.edu/bioscience-ct/) initiatives and a bold new Academic Plan: Path to Excellence. The Department of Kinesiology has exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with investigators, particularly in health-related disciplines, both at UConn Storrs and UConn Health. 

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. 

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 

This position will provide coordination of the undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, advising undergraduate students in Exercise Science, and course instruction within the Exercise Science undergraduate curriculum. Service to the program, Department, and College are required, as well as potential contributions to the capstone research requirements of the program based on the area(s) of expertise. The successful applicant will contribute to the ongoing review and updating of the Exercise Science curriculum to ensure students are meeting learning outcomes.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Facilitate and oversee recruiting and marketing strategies for the undergraduate degree program in Exercise Science
• Advise students in the undergraduate Exercise Science major
• Develop standardized learning outcomes for the Exercise Science major
• Teach undergraduate courses in Exercise Science
• Participate in an active program of professional development consistent with personal and professional goals
• Promote strong collaborative relationships with University offices on the Storrs campus and regional campuses to support prospective and current undergraduate students in Exercise Science (e.g., ACES, Honors, undergraduate admissions, transfer admissions)
• Share a deep commitment to effective undergraduate student instruction and the development of innovative courses
• Participate in the shared service responsibilities (e.g., committees, faculty meetings, retreats) expected of all faculty in the Department and College
• 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
• Support undergraduate research with specific oversight of Exercise Science research capstones
• Contribute to the Department’s scholarship mission (e.g., facilitate publication of capstone projects, collaborate with research faculty)
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• For Instructor in Residence: Master’s in a health-related field or higher education
• For appointment as Assistant Professor in Residence: Doctorate in a health-related field or higher education
• Previous teaching experience in an institution of higher education, demonstrating excellence in teaching
• Previous advising experience in an institution of higher education
• Background in Exercise Science and/or Kinesiology related fields
• Demonstrated excellence in both verbal and written communication in educational settings
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong commitment and value for promoting and supporting diverse and inclusive educational programming

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the administration of Exercise Science/Kinesiology programs that includes course development, classroom and laboratory teaching, conducting and managing learning experiences, evaluating student achievement, and contributing to curriculum development
• Experience in integrating technology into instruction and/or conducting online instruction
• 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 due to their race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, geographic location, or other characteristics linked to discrimination or exclusion

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 9-month, full-time faculty position with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2023. This is a faculty appointment that may be eligible for promotion to Associate Professor in Residence and Professor in Residence. This appointment is renewable annually and does not lead to academic tenure, but may lead to successive multi-year contracts. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the Department of Kinesiology at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and position level.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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/23586 and submit the following application materials:

• • A cover letter,
  • Curriculum vitae,
  • Brief statements (maximum two pages each) of:
    • Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
    • Experience and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (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 the statements above please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College’s success in achieving its Strategic Vision.
  • Names and contact information for at least three (3) references

Review of applications will begin on November 11, 2022. Applications will be accepted until December 2, 2022. For further information, please visit the Department website (https://kins.uconn.edu/).

Inquiries about the position should be sent by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Eleni Diakogeorgiou (email: eleni.diakogeorgiou@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.