Job Description:

About the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC):
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Position description:
The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition (KN) invites applications for the position of department head and full tenured professor. KN empowers all students to pursue excellence through scientific discovery, clinical practice and health promotion. It ensures that graduates become leaders who excel in careers that enhance the quality of life for individuals and their communities.

KN currently enrolls 724 students across a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, which boast high rankings and national licensing exam pass rates. The National Academy of Kinesiology ranks our PhD in Kinesiology and Nutrition No. 1 in Illinois and No. 13 in the U.S. The program is also ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in journal articles published by its faculty.

KN faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their teaching and high-impact research. They collaborate with students and research associates at all levels in a hands-on scientific and educational environment, where student engagement, inclusive excellence and active learning are priorities.

KN produces leading experts in the fields of health, exercise, biomechanics and nutrition. Our graduates work in fitness and wellness facilities, for major healthcare institutions, with athletes of all levels, for therapeutic and rehabilitation systems, and become entrepreneurs. Our outstanding programs prepare students for successful careers in allied health or continuing their education with advanced degrees.

KN houses a metabolic kitchen, which is available to all UIC investigators for the conduction of clinical feeding trials. Additionally, our award-winning Nutrition Teaching Garden integrates food into the classroom, teaching how to plant, harvest and prepare fresh produce. The department also includes a state-of-the-art instrumented motion analysis laboratory for conducting rigorous and detailed biomechanical studies of human movement related to enhancing mobility and/or function across the lifespan in people with or without musculoskeletal or neurological impairments. Our Exercise Psychology Lab (epl.ahs.uic.edu) promotes research related to chronic disease and chronic conditions, health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Our Integrative Physiology Laboratory (ipl.ahs.uic.edu) supports research that integrates cardiovascular function, metabolism, inflammation, hydration, nutrition status and exercise/physical activity. Our Resilient Athlete Program (ahs.uic.edu/kinesiology-nutrition/resilient-athlete-program) provides consultation to athletes during and after injury to reduce fear and increase confidence.

KN is housed in the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences, a nationally prominent leader in cross-disciplinary scholarship, research and service to create a world in which every person can live a healthy and self-determined life. With over 2,000 enrolled undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college pursues new knowledge that transforms health care practice and social systems through its five departments (Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, Disability and Human Development, Kinesiology and Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy), college level programs in rehabilitation sciences, and more than 30 research labs and centers. AHS boasts 11 academic programs that are ranked in the top 25 in their discipline, with high graduation and retention rates. It brings high-quality care and services to individuals through its Assistive Technology Unit, Developmental Disabilities Family Clinic, Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice, and Physical Therapy Faculty Practice. The college served 4,300 clients and patients in FY23.
A part of UIC, the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health), is a clinical enterprise that includes a 465-bed tertiary care hospital, 21 outpatient clinics, and 11 federally qualified Mile Square Health Center locations that includes the academic and research activities of the seven UIC health science colleges, including AHS.

KN provides academic leadership at all levels and has ultimate responsibility for establishing the departmental mission, goals, policies and procedures, managing all aspects of departmental operations, including but not limited to budgeting, teaching and personnel, and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations from accrediting agencies, the University of Illinois System, UIC and AHS.

The department head fulfills the mission of teaching, research and service, and teaching workload is determined based upon the departmental workload policy and in consultation with the Dean. The head is fully invested in the job of leadership, prioritizing it over their own academic/research pursuits. They are actively involved in program and curriculum development, program evaluation, strategic planning and student success initiatives and has experience with leadership and knowledge in these student-facing areas. The head anticipates faculty and staff attrition, sabbaticals, emergencies, course coverage requirements and is ready ahead of time with a plan in such circumstances.

The head is also charged with fostering the research efforts of tenure and clinical track faculty who are working across campus and across institutions to build interdisciplinary collaborations at the leading edge of kinesiology and nutrition. In conjunction with these efforts, the head is expected to demonstrate on-going scholarship by maintaining a vigorous research program, publishing scholarly works and participating at national/international meetings. Additionally, the head is expected to demonstrate expertise in building partnerships with underserved communities and a commitment to promoting faculty and students who are under-represented in science, including women, persons with disabilities, and those identifying as Black or African American, Latine or Indigenous.

Requirements:
To be considered for this position, the candidate must have a PhD or equivalent degree in a health-related field and a strong national and international record of scholarly productivity and excellence at an academic institution. The candidate will have active involvement in the professions of kinesiology or nutrition, as well as a degree commensurate with expertise in kinesiology or nutrition. The selected candidate will also have the capacity for academic leadership that can communicate and achieve the vision of the KN, AHS and UIC. Candidates must have a scholarly record sufficient for appointment as a full Professor with tenure.

Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications and experience. UIC offers an excellent benefit package. Applicants should submit curriculum vitae, a letter of application and contact information for three references. Questions regarding the position can be directed to the chair of the search committee, associate dean and professor, Renee Tayor (rtaylor@uic.edu). The expectation is that employment would begin in tandem with the beginning of the fall 2024 semester.

For earliest consideration, applications should be submitted by February 19, 2024. Applications will no longer be considered if submitted after March 18, 2024. All applicants must submit an online application through jobs.uic.edu. To apply, click on the following link: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/8172?c=uic

As an EOE/AA employer, the University of Illinois encourages applications from individuals regardless of an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, and Veteran or disability status.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre- employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899