Assistant Professor - Neuromuscular Control and Biomechanics

Posting Information

Position Information

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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a major research university in the University of North Carolina System with student enrollment exceeding 29,000 students. The Department of Exercise and Sport Science (exss.unc.edu) supports an undergraduate program of over 1,400 undergraduate majors with three specialization areas (Exercise and Sport Science, Fitness Professional, Sport Administration); a Master of Arts graduate program enrolling ~60 students also with three specializations (Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Sport Administration); and a doctoral program in Human Movement Science in partnership with the UNC-CH School of Medicine (hmsc.unc.edu). The mission of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS) is to discover, create and promote knowledge of human movement to improve the quality of life of individuals and society. The mission of EXSS is further enhanced through interdisciplinary cooperation and departmental faculty securing competitive extramural funding in the form of contracts and grants. These endeavors enable the department to advance knowledge and thus serve the state and nation.

The teaching, research, and service efforts of the EXSS Department are supported by an outstanding faculty and staff, which currently includes: 39 full-time faculty, 9 part-time (fixed term) faculty, 20 joint appointment/ adjunct faculty, 8 emeritus faculty, and 27 full-time EXSS staff members.

Position Summary

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science invites applications for a 9-month tenure track Assistant Professor faculty position to deepen and expand research in any area of neuromuscular control and biomechanics while teaching in areas related to exercise and sport science, biomechanics, and/or motor control. We aspire to recruit faculty engaged in innovative and highly impactful scholarship that will diversify and enhance our research, teaching, and public outreach missions, and who can translate this research to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in biomechanics, neuromuscular control, motor control, and/or sports medicine. This position assumes a lead research role within the Department of Exercise and Sport Science within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in neuromuscular control and biomechanics which may involve, but not be limited to, musculoskeletal health outcomes, mechanisms related to biomechanical and/ or neuromuscular disease, neurotrauma, and/or promoting healthy movement and performance. The individual is expected to possess expertise in their chosen neuromuscular control and biomechanics field, which may include biomechanical assessments, measurement, and analysis. Potential applicants should have a strong interest in developing impactful collaborative opportunities within the Department, across the College of Arts and Sciences, and across the greater UNC community (including the nationally ranked School of Medicine and Gillings School of Global Public Health, Human Science Curriculum and Department of Biomedical Engineering).

Applicants should have a record of scholarly productivity and interdisciplinary research. The interest areas of the applicant should align with and complement the faculty affiliated with the Department of Exercise and Sport Science that are collecting neuromuscular control and biomechanics data including MOTION Science Institute, UNC Sports Medicine Institute, STAR HEEL Laboratory and/or the Matthew Gfeller Center.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, establish, and develop a focused independent research agenda, with preference for applicants who demonstrate a significant publication record and demonstrate a record of extramural grant submission
• Seek extramural funding to support research efforts
• Collaborate with colleagues across campus and in Exercise and Sport Science to support and develop multidisciplinary research projects
• Serve as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students across a diverse student population
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Exercise and Sport Science related to biomechanics, neuromuscular control, motor control, sports medicine and/or other classes aligning with the candidate’s expertise as requested by the department Chair
• Serve as a research advisor and/or committee member for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science
• Participate as a core faculty member and contribute to mentoring doctoral trainees in the Human Movement Science doctoral program
• Perform other responsibilities and duties as may be assigned by the Department Chair

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

All candidates must have an earned doctorate (or terminal degree) in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Engineering, Neuroscience, Motor Control, Sports Medicine, or related field with demonstrated expertise in neuromuscular control and biomechanics. Record of research publications is required and a record of, or strong potential for, securing extramural research funding and/or currently working on extramurally funded projects.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Experience mentoring students is preferred
• Collegiate-level teaching experience is preferred

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

The application should include the following: 1) letter of application, 2) a Research Statement (no more than 3 pages) highlighting the applicant’s previous and ongoing research, plans for future innovation, and potential collaborators, 3) a Teaching Statement (no more than 2 pages) describing the candidate’s teaching philosophy, potential classes to teach and/or develop, and experiences mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and 4) complete academic curriculum vitae.

Applicants are also required to identify the names, titles/positions, email addresses, and phone numbers of four (4) professional references who may be contacted with instructions for submitting recommendation letters.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Brian Pietrosimone, Search Committee Chair, at brian@unc.edu.

Deadline: Review of applications will begin November 16, 2026, and will close on November 25, 2026

Department Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title

Dr. Brian Pietrosimone, Search Committee Chair

Department Contact Telephone or Email

brian@unc.edu

Academic Personnel Office Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae / Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References
4. Teaching Philosophy/evaluations
5. Research Statement