Assistant ​/Associate Professor in Physical Therapy

Assistant/Associate Professor in Physical Therapy

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for an tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor with expertise in research and teaching that aligns with the mission of the Department, College, and University. Negotiated rank is contingent on qualifications and experience. This academic-year appointment begins in August 2026. The Department is part of the College of Health Sciences and is nationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, service, professional leadership, international opportunities for students, strong clinical partnerships, and an on-site clinic.

Each year, the program admits a cohort of 32 students who are taught by a dedicated and experienced faculty.

The Physical Therapy Department is located on the Kingston campus in a beautiful rural setting just 15 minutes from ocean and bay beaches. The region offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, with the Green and White Mountains only a three-hour drive away. The University of Rhode Island provides a rich array of cultural and intellectual events, including theater, music, athletics, and the Honors Colloquium.

Additional cultural and recreational opportunities are easily accessible in Providence (40 minutes), Boston and Cape Cod (90 minutes), and New York City (three hours).

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a strong focus on research productivity and obtaining external funding to support research and graduate students.
• Develop, lead, and collaborate on research programs leading to peer-reviewed publications and grant submissions in physical therapy or related fields.
• Teach graduate-level courses in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
• Contribute service to the Department, College, University, and/or the profession.
• Mentor and advise students.
• Demonstrate experience or potential to engage students in teaching, research, and service.

Qualifications required:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) completed by August 2027.
• Eligibility for physical therapist licensure in Rhode Island.
• Demonstrated ability to establish an independent research agenda and publish in relevant, peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain external funding.
• Demonstrated teaching ability that complements the existing DPT curriculum.
• Proficiency in oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in written communication skills.
• Current membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated success in securing external research funding.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in collaborative research.
• Interest and/or experience in teaching contemporary professional topics in physical therapy at the graduate level.
• Experience in mentoring graduate students.
• Evidence of success or strong potential for obtaining external funding to support a productive research program.
• Relevant clinical experience is desirable.

This is a 9-month academic-year position, beginning five days before the start of the Fall 2026 semester and concluding on Commencement Day the following May.

EEO Statement: URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status.

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