Associate​/Full Professor; Department Chair and Program Director - Physical Therapy

Location: Kingston

Position Information

Job Title Associate/Full Professor;
Department Chair and Program Director - Physical Therapy

Job Description Summary , Duties and Responsibilities,

Required Qualifications and

Preferred Qualifications

The search will remain open until the position has been filled.

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The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for a tenure-track Professor or Associate Professor who will serve as Department Chair and Program Director in Physical Therapy. We are looking for a leader with extensive experience in teaching and scholarship who complements the mission of the Department, College, and University. Appointment will be made at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, depending on qualifications.

The position is a calendar-year appointment with a start date of August 2026.

The well-established Physical Therapy Department is located within the College of Health Sciences. It is recognized for excellence in teaching, research, service, professional leadership, strong clinical education partners, and an on-site physical therapy clinic. Annually, a cohort of 32 DPT students are accepted and taught by a dedicated and experienced faculty. The Department's faculty leads several research laboratories to conduct research in motor control, exercise science, mobility assessment, and rehabilitation across various populations.

Faculty are affiliates of the Ryan Institute of Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, and Rhode Island Collaborative for lnterprofessional Education and Practice.

Faculty also recruit and advise graduate students from the PhD in Health Science program which has a specialty in physical therapy, the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, and Kinesiology, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering departments.

The Department, College, and University recognize that the field of physical therapy needs to be strengthened by contributions from a broad range of perspectives. The Department of Physical Therapy is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and seeks to serve as a representative inspiration for the next generations. As such, we particularly welcome candidates from groups historically underrepresented, marginalized, and/or excluded in the field of physical therapy who will support the mission of both URI and the Department of Physical Therapy to expose students to different perspectives.

Candidates will demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity to enhance a sense of belonging and academic success among students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful Department Chair and Program Director candidate will be expected to lead and administer for the Department with oversight of: fiscal, curricular, personnel, outcome

assessment, and accreditation components based on a shared vision aligned to the missions of the Department, College, University, and APTA; mentor and support the professional development of faculty and students (DPT and PhD); contribute directly to the delivery of the DPT curriculum; foster links with academic and professional colleagues on campus and throughout the community; and be active in the APTA and ACAPT.

In general, individuals who will contribute to the Department's commitment to scholarship, evidence-based practice, collaborative and inclusive teaching, and who strongly advocate for the Department are encouraged to apply.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership in Academic Excellence:

● Serves as a direct liaison between the academic functions of the DPT program and the

business functions and provides strategic direction for maximizing resources and efficiency. Identifies resources required for the implementation of the strategic plan and potential obstacles that need to be addressed.

● Provides innovative leadership and ensures the integrity of the academic programs.

● Leads program curricula planning, implementation, evaluation, and revision in collaboration with the faculty.

● When appropriate, represents the DPT at the…