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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Kinesiology Professor

💰 $75,000 - $150,000+

EducationHigher EducationScienceHealthcareResearch

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a dedicated and passionate Kinesiology Professor to join a dynamic academic department committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in a core area of kinesiology, such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, or sports psychology. This tenure-track faculty position involves developing and delivering engaging undergraduate and graduate courses, establishing a robust and externally-funded research program, and mentoring students in their academic and professional pursuits. As a key member of our faculty, you will contribute to curriculum development, serve on university committees, and engage with the broader community to advance the understanding of human movement and its impact on health and performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Kinesiology or a related field
  • Ph.D. Graduate from a Kinesiology or Exercise Science program
  • Visiting Assistant Professor or Lecturer

Advancement To:

  • Associate Professor with Tenure
  • Full Professor
  • Department Chair or Head
  • Associate Dean or Dean of a College

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of a University Research Center or Institute
  • Senior Research Scientist (Industry or Government)
  • High-Performance Sport Science Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and deliver engaging and rigorous undergraduate and graduate courses in kinesiology, covering topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, athletic training, or health promotion.
  • Establish, maintain, and grow an independent, externally-funded research program in your area of expertise that leads to impactful, peer-reviewed publications.
  • Actively advise and mentor a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students regarding academic progress, research projects, and career development.
  • Supervise graduate student research, including serving as a chair or member on thesis and dissertation committees, and guide students through the entire research lifecycle.
    which - Prepare and submit grant proposals to secure extramural funding from federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF), foundations, and other private or public organizations.
  • Disseminate research findings through publications in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and presentations at prominent national and international scientific conferences.
  • Contribute significantly to curriculum development and revision, ensuring that program offerings are current, relevant, and aligned with accreditation standards.
  • Maintain a high level of scholarly activity and stay current with the latest advancements, theories, and methodologies in the field of kinesiology.
  • Foster an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative classroom and laboratory environment that promotes critical thinking and supports student success.
  • Assess student learning outcomes at the course and program levels, utilizing the resulting data to drive continuous improvement in instructional quality and curriculum design.
  • Teach a diverse course load that may include introductory-level survey courses, advanced upper-division electives, and specialized graduate seminars.
  • Hold regular office hours and provide timely, constructive feedback to students to support their academic growth and understanding of course material.
  • Integrate modern technology and innovative pedagogical strategies into teaching to enhance the student learning experience in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats.

Secondary Functions

  • Actively participate in departmental, college, and university governance by serving on various committees, task forces, and faculty senate.
  • Engage in professional service to the discipline by acting as a peer reviewer for scholarly journals, grant proposals, or serving on committees for professional organizations.
  • Develop and maintain community partnerships with clinical sites, sports organizations, and local businesses to create internship and research opportunities for students.
  • Supervise and manage the operations of a research laboratory, including equipment maintenance, procurement of supplies, and ensuring all personnel adhere to safety protocols.
    push- Participate in student recruitment and retention initiatives, representing the department at open houses, recruitment fairs, and other university events.
  • Mentor junior faculty members, sharing expertise on teaching, navigating the tenure process, and developing a research agenda.
  • Contribute to the preparation of accreditation reports and program reviews to ensure compliance with external regulatory bodies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep subject matter expertise in a sub-discipline of Kinesiology (e.g., Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Motor Control, Sports Medicine, Public Health).
  • Proven ability to design and conduct independent, scholarly research.
  • Grant writing and proposal development skills with a history of, or potential for, securing external funding.
  • Proficiency with specialized laboratory research equipment and technologies (e.g., motion capture systems, EMG, metabolic carts, force plates).
  • Competency in statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, SAS) and data interpretation.
  • Experience in curriculum design, course development, and student learning assessment.
  • Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for teaching, publishing, and presenting.
  • Strong public speaking and presentation abilities for engaging diverse audiences.
  • Advanced mentorship and advising capabilities to guide students effectively.
  • High capacity for collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams and colleagues.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex scientific questions.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills to balance teaching, research, and service duties.
  • Leadership potential and the ability to contribute to departmental and university governance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a closely related field is required. Candidates who are "All But Dissertation" (ABD) may be considered, with the expectation that the degree will be completed by the start of employment.

Preferred Education:

  • Postdoctoral research experience is highly preferred, as it demonstrates a commitment to and experience in developing an independent research line.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Kinesiology
  • Exercise Science
  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Motor Control & Learning
  • Sports Medicine
  • Public Health with a focus on Physical Activity

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-5 years of postdoctoral and/or university teaching experience for an Assistant Professor role.
  • 5+ years of faculty experience with a strong record of teaching, research, and service for Associate or Full Professor roles.

Preferred:

  • A record of peer-reviewed publications in reputable academic journals.
  • Evidence of successful university-level teaching, including positive student evaluations.
  • Demonstrated potential to secure external research funding.
  • Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate student researchers.
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