Assistant Professor

Posting Details

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Position/Rank Assistant Professor Department 00196 - Health & Kinesiology City Salt Lake City, UT Track Tenure Track New Position to Begin July 1, 2027 Details

University of Utah, College of Health

Department of Health & Kinesiology

Assistant Professor - Behavioral Science & Community Health

Tenure-Line Faculty Position

The Department of Health & Kinesiology in the College of Health at the University of Utah invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor whose research aligns with the Department's Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme.

We seek an innovative and collaborative scholar with a strong or emerging program of research focused on understanding and improving health and health behaviors across individuals, populations, communities, organizations, and/or health systems.

The Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme advances understanding of the multilevel factors that influence health and health behaviors and develops, evaluates, disseminates, implements, and sustains approaches to improve health across diverse populations and settings.

Areas of Research Interest

Areas of research interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Designing and testing health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease self-management across the lifespan;
• Understanding health behavior (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, weight management, sleep) change and the behavioral, social and structural, or environmental determinants of health;
• Dissemination and implementation of science focused on community and clinical strategies to improve the reach, accessibility, adoption, implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions;
• Digital, mobile, LLM-based, AI-enabled, adaptive, or other innovative approaches to health behavior change;
• Community-engaged and community-based participatory research;
• Supporting priority population strategies to improve health outcomes among populations experiencing disproportionate disease burden or barriers to health-promoting resources; and
• Multilevel interventions spanning individuals, families, organizations, communities, health care systems, or policy environments.

Candidates whose scholarship bridges behavioral science and other areas of departmental or University strength are particularly encouraged to apply. We welcome a range of methodological approaches and do not expect candidates to work across all areas listed above.

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Establish and maintain an innovative, collaborative, and externally funded program of research;
• Disseminate research findings through high-quality peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific meetings;
• Contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research within the Department, College of Health, University of Utah Health, and broader University community;
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses consistent with departmental needs and the candidate's expertise;
• Mentor undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students and contribute to the Department's research-intensive MS and PhD programs; and applied MS program;
• Contribute to the intellectual and scholarly activities of the Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme; and
• Participate in appropriate service to the Department, College, University, profession, and/or community.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• Earned doctorate (PhD, DrPH, ScD, or equivalent) in kinesiology, health promotion, behavioral science, public health, psychology, nutrition, implementation science, or another discipline relevant to behavioral science and community health by the start date;
• Evidence of the potential to develop an independent and impactful program of research;
• A record of peer-reviewed scholarship appropriate to career stage;
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, obtaining competitive extramural research funding;
• Evidence of, or potential for, excellence in teaching and mentoring students; and
• Strong potential to contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research experience

About the University of Utah and Department of Health & Kinesiology

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, in the foothills of the majestic Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The University of Utah academic and health sciences campuses are adjacently located, facilitating seamless trans- and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

The Department of Health and Kinesiology is part of the College of Health and University of Utah Health Sciences. The Department of Health & Kinesiology's undergraduate and graduate program is on the leading edge of training future scholars, health professionals and leaders in health sciences, with approximately 1,700 students registered in bachelors, masters and PhD degree programs. These programs are accredited by the National Academy of Kinesiology and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, with the graduate program consistently ranking as one of the top programs in the country.

Faculty in the Department of Health and Kinesiology have access to the College of Health's state-of-the-science research facility, a resource-rich environment managed by a full-time lab manager and containing seven research laboratories:

• Exercise Intervention Laboratory
• Exercise Testing Laboratory
• Wet Laboratory
• Sleep, Circadian Physiology and Cognition Suite
• Metabolic Kitchen
• Mobility and Stability Laboratory
• Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory

Additionally, faculty have access to 24 core research facilities available at the University (cores.utah.edu) and the opportunity to collaborate with other entities across the academic and health sciences campuses including the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Center for Metabolic Health, Center on Aging, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Digital Health Initiative, College of Health Community Outreach and Engagement, among others.

Faculty in the Department of Health and Kinesiology have afforded success in obtaining extramural funding such as support from NIH, CDC, DOD and NSF.

University of Utah and Community

The University of Utah's distinguished partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-one of only eleven such partnerships worldwide-underscores its international leadership in applied health research, human performance, and athlete health and well-being.

With the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games returning to Salt Lake City, the Health & Kinesiology Program is uniquely positioned to advance and showcase innovative research, education, human performance, and community health and wellness initiatives associated with the Games. This environment provides exceptional opportunities for faculty to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to research and programs with local, national, and global impact.

Life in Salt Lake City, Utah and the surrounding area is exceptional. With easy access to eight world-class ski resorts, as well as hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, fishing, and exploring in nearby canyons and in the spectacular red-rock country of southern Utah. Ten National Parks are within a day driving distance of the University. Salt Lake City also offers professional symphony, ballet, modern dance, opera and theater performances, art galleries, world-class restaurants, and professional sports.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply online at:

https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/209645

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter (maximum one page) describing the applicant's interest in the position and alignment with the Department of Health & Kinesiology and Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. Research statement (maximum three pages) describing the applicant's prior scholarship, current research program, and plans for developing an independent and externally funded program of research;

4. Teaching and mentoring statement (maximum two pages) describing the applicant's teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and approach to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and

5. List of three professional references, including names and contact information.

Letters of recommendation may be requested at a later stage of the search.

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

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027

Inquires

Inquires may be sent to:

Dr. Tim Brusseau

Professor and Chair

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

Tel: 801.587.7900

tim.brusseau@utah.edu

OR

Dr. Tanya Halliday

Associate Professor

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

tanya.halliday@utah.edu

University of Utah Health

University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply online at:

https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/209645

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter (maximum one page) describing the applicant's interest in the position and alignment with the Department of Health & Kinesiology and Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. Research statement (maximum three pages) describing the applicant's prior scholarship, current research program, and plans for developing an independent and externally funded program of research;

4. Teaching and mentoring statement (maximum two pages) describing the applicant's teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and approach to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and

5. List of three professional references, including names and contact information.

Letters of recommendation may be requested at a later stage of the search.

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

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027

Inquires

Inquires may be sent to:

Dr. Tim Brusseau

Professor and Chair

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

Tel: 801.587.7900

tim.brusseau@utah.edu

OR

Dr. Tanya Halliday

Associate Professor

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

tanya.halliday@utah.edu

Open Date 09/28/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Requisition Number PRN04136F Type Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Research Statement
• List of References

Optional Documents

• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Description for More Information - Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) - Veteran Only
• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Document Description for More Information - Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only