How to Apply
*NOTE: Please do NOT submit your application via this system; to be considered, you must submit your application via the Interfolio process outlined below.
Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/177556. The search committee will begin reviewing applications as they are received. For best consideration, please apply by December 31, 2025. If the application deadline is extended, additional applications may be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.
The materials below should be consolidated into one (1) PDF document before uploading to Interfolio.
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement (up to 2 pages)
- Teaching statement that addresses, in part, inclusive teaching (1 page)
- Up to three examples of research publications
- At least three references: include full name, position, relationship to applicant, e-mail address, and telephone number
Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence, and references will be contacted only with the candidate's permission.
Should you need support related to the Interfolio system, please visit this site or contact Interfolio at [email protected] or (877) 997-8807, 9am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. For questions about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. David Conroy ([email protected]).
Job Summary
The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan invites applications for a tenure-line faculty position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, ideally commencing in August 2026. Candidates will be expected to maintain a robust, ongoing research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and have the research expertise appropriate for the effective advising and mentoring of students across all academic levels in the social-behavioral science of physical activity. A successful candidate will be expected to maintain extramural funding for an active research program at the University of Michigan.
The ideal candidate will have a commitment to applying the science of physical activity to develop solutions in a complex and rapidly changing world. We are interested in candidates whose scholarship can either deepen existing expertise in our Applied Exercise Science program (e.g., aging, chronic disease, social-ecological influences on physical activity) or broaden that expertise (e.g., physical activity and substance use, mental health, environmental health, or brain health). Specific content expertise that falls within the scope of this position includes physical activity behavior change, psychosocial and motivational determinants of physical activity, intervention development and evaluation, technology-enabled physical activity promotion, social or community influences, policy and environmental approaches, health coaching, and physical activity across multiple populations and settings.
Who We Are
The University of Michigan is one of the highest-ranked public universities in the nation and one of the world's preeminent research institutions. The School of Kinesiology is one of 19 independent academic units and one of seven health science schools and colleges within the university. For the past 2 review cycles, the National Academy of Kinesiology ranked the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology doctoral program as the #1 program in the U.S. The School is led by Dean Lori Ploutz-Snyder and has over 40 tenure-line faculty, 16 clinical faculty, 33 lecturers, and over 1,250 undergraduate and 152 graduate students. The School is home to some of the country's top academic programs focusing on applied exercise science, athletic training, movement science, and sport management.
In 2021, the school moved into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art academic and research building (School of Kinesiology Building) that is located in the heart of the University of Michigan's main campus. The $120M renovation project expands the School of Kinesiology's research, classroom, and office space to approximately 189,000 gross sq. ft. The new building also includes state-of-the-art facilities to support teaching and research, including dedicated lecture and laboratory classrooms, along with many other research laboratories and centers. The shared exercise and clinical research space includes examination and procedure rooms as well as a full exercise center. New faculty will have access to all spaces and shared equipment, such as DXA, research-grade indirect calorimetry/VO2 assessment systems, wearable accelerometers, and inclinometers. Faculty will have access to the state-of-the-art core computing resources at the University of Michigan.
The University of Michigan is home to approximately 275 degree programs, with Kinesiology housing four of 102 graduate programs rated in the top 10 nationally, providing unparalleled opportunity for collaboration. Collaborative opportunities exist both within the School of Kinesiology and with other units across campus. In addition to the many exciting achievements within the School of Kinesiology, the school has a strong record of partnering with other academic units in the university, consistent with the culture of the University of Michigan that places significant value on innovation across disciplines.
Required Qualifications*
A doctoral degree in kinesiology or a related field is required. Candidates should demonstrate their contributions to a positive workplace culture aligned with our school's core values.
Assistant professor candidates should exhibit promise, trajectory, and/or achievements suitable for junior faculty at a major research university. At the assistant professor rank, candidates should have evidence of:
- scholarly prominence and academic independence, or high potential, with respect to publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research
- experience and/or willingness to mentor undergraduate and graduate students and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise;
- reasonable engagement in service (to the industry and/or the academy), and
- the ability to seek and secure external funding.
At the associate and full professor ranks, candidates should exceed the expectations outlined at the assistant rank. In addition to those requirements, candidates should have:
- a consistent and ongoing record of securing research funding,
- demonstrate an elevated and consistent profile of scholarly and pedagogical excellence, and
- possess the necessary experience and skills to provide leadership that will advance the scholarly excellence in the Applied Exercise Science Program and the School of Kinesiology.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Underfill Statement
This position is posted as Assistant Professor/Associate Professor /Professor. The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon candidate's qualifications.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. Candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information form.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.