Open Rank (Associate/Full Professor)/Research Director – Concussion/neurodegeneration
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Department of Exercise and Sport Science invites applications for an outstanding 9-month tenured Associate or Full Professor faculty member to deepen and expand research in concussion, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and/or neurodegeneration, while teaching in areas related to exercise and sport science. We aspire to recruit faculty engaged in innovative and highly impactful work that will diversify and enhance our research, teaching, and public outreach missions, and who can translate this research to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in neuroscience, neurotrauma, neuroepidemiology, and/or sports medicine. This position will assume a leadership role (Research Director) within the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science , College of Arts and Sciences .
Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in sport-related concussion, mTBI, and/or neurodegeneration which may include, but is not limited to, studying the short- and long-term effects of neurotrauma sustained during sports or occupational activity and promoting neurohealth following concussion and mTBI. Potential applicants should have a strong interest in developing impactful collaborative opportunities within the department, across the College of Arts and Sciences, and across the greater UNC community (including the nationally ranked School of Medicine and Gillings School of Global Public Health , and the new School of Data Science and Society ), while fostering a climate that values inclusion and equity in all its forms. There is a potential for a joint appointment with another department depending on the successful candidate’s background and interests, with Exercise and Sport Science serving as the faculty member’s primary department.
Applicants should have an established record of scholarly productivity and catalyzing interdisciplinary research that aligns with the mission of the Center of the Study of Retired Athletes, its partner center ( Matthew Gfeller Center ), the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and other departments/units across campus if a joint position is desired.
Responsibilities :
- Assume a leadership role (Research Director) within the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Establish and grow a focused and independent research agenda, with preference to applicants who demonstrate a significant publication record.
- Seek extramural funding to support their research
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
- Serve as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students across a diverse student population
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to neuroscience, neurotrauma, and/or sports medicine
- Serve as a research advisor and/or committee member for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science
- Participate as a core faculty member and contribute to mentoring doctoral trainees in the Human Movement Science doctoral program
- Perform other responsibilities and duties as may be assigned by the department Chair.
Qualifications and Experience:
- An earned doctorate (or terminal degree) in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Psychology, Neuroscience, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, other Public Health field, or related field with demonstrated expertise in neuroscience is required
- Record of securing extramural research funding and/or currently working on extramurally funded projects
- Record of research publications
- Knowledge and desire for culturally responsible pedagogy appropriate for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) with respect for diversity and richness in human experience
- Collegiate-level teaching experience is desirable
