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: Department Chair
Department: 00196 - Health & Kinesiology
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Track: Tenure Track
New Position to Begin: July 1, 2027

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Department Chair Position

The Department of Health & Kinesiology (H&K) in the College of Health at the University of Utah invites applications and nominations for its next Chair. We seek an accomplished scholar and collaborative academic leader with a compelling vision for advancing research, education, and community impact across the department’s diverse disciplines. At a flagship Research 1 university and within an integrated academic health system, the Chair will have an opportunity to strengthen the department’s national visibility and expand its contributions to health, quality of life, and human performance. The next Chair will support faculty, staff, and students, (1) grow a strong and sustainable research enterprise, (2) support sustainable growth and maintain academic excellence in the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, (3) and build partnerships across University of Utah Health, the broader campus, and healthcare organizations, schools, public agencies, industry, and communities. The department’s breadth creates opportunities to connect physical activity, health promotion and disease prevention, movement science, sports science, human performance, athlete development, technology, and performance analytics across research, education, clinical practice, and community and industry partnerships.

The Department

H&K serves more than 1,550 undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate programs include Community Health Promotion & Education, Emergency Medical Services, Health & Physical Education Teaching, and Kinesiology. With six new faculty positions approved, newly proposed BS/MS pathways, and alignment with a College of Health priority of expanded research, teaching and outreach in human performance, the department is entering a meaningful period of growth and change. Currently, the department offers an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Health & Kinesiology which are research-intensive programs preparing scholars across four different emphases including Behavioral Science & Community Health, Cognitive & Motor Neuroscience, Exercise & Disease, and Physical Activity & Well-Being. Two applied M.S. in Health & Kinesiology programs are also offered and include a Health Education Specialist and Wellness Coaching program as well as a Performance and Sport Science program. The Center for Emergency Programs provides emergency medical training, and its Exercise & Sport Science Fitness program offers physical activity courses for students. Departmental research facilities and collaborations support work in exercise intervention and testing, circadian physiology, sleep and cognition, mobility and biomechanics, health promotion, and community-engaged research. This breadth positions H&K to connect discovery with clinical practice, education, and population health.

Key Responsibilities

The Chair serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Department and reports to the Dean of the College of Health.

Primary responsibilities include:

Providing strategic, collaborative leadership and working with faculty, staff, and students to establish departmental priorities.
Supporting excellence in research, teaching, mentoring, and community engagement.
Recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding faculty and staff.
Supporting student success across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Promoting competitive extramural funding, high-quality publications, and scholarly impact.
Stewarding the department’s budget, personnel, facilities, and educational and research infrastructure.
Fostering shared governance and an inclusive, transparent environment in which faculty, staff, and students can thrive.
Representing the department across college, university, and local community and strengthening its partnerships and reputation.

This is a twelve-month position. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Chair

The next Chair will help translate the College of Health strategic plan into priorities for H&K across education, discovery, partnership, practice, and sustainable growth. Opportunities and challenges include:

Managing growth in education: Lead sustainable growth in undergraduate and graduate education by sustaining student success, assessing flexible pathways in clinical exercise physiology, applied sport science, emergency medical services and paramedic education, and wellness coaching, and ensuring that enrollment and program expansion are matched by appropriate instructional capacity and support for faculty engagement and well-being.
Building on research strengths: Develop larger, collaborative programs of research in physical activity, movement neuroscience, exercise and disease, and community health, while exploring opportunities in precision exercise, digital coaching, and behavioral AI.
Expanding research capacity: Support multi-investigator proposals and pursue funding from a broader range of federal, foundation, community, and industry sources to support large-scale projects and strategically expand research infrastructure.
Connecting research and practice: Build collaborations with University of Utah Health, University of Utah Athletics and additional campus partners at the intersection of health, movement, technology, education, and clinical care.
Deepening community impact: Develop reciprocal partnerships with Utah communities, healthcare organizations, schools, and public agencies that respond to community priorities and produce measurable benefits.
Exploring a human performance clinic: Evaluate a potential partnership with U of U Health Sports Medicine that connects research, student training, and services across the lifespan and for sport and disease populations.
Leveraging the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Build on the University’s IOC partnership and the return of the Games to Salt Lake City to expand interdisciplinary research, education, and partnerships in human performance, sport science, athlete health, and community wellness.
Planning for sustainable growth: Align space, staffing, and infrastructure with the department’s research and educational ambitions.

Qualifications

Required

Earned doctorate or other terminal degree in kinesiology, exercise science, health promotion and education, human movement or performance, sport science, or a closely related field.
A sustained record of peer-reviewed scholarship and research leadership sufficient to merit appointment as a tenured Full Professor at the University of Utah.
Demonstrated academic leadership and the ability to support faculty development, strategic planning, program administration, and responsible stewardship of resources.

Preferred

Experience leading an academic department, program, center, institute, or other complex academic unit.
A demonstrated ability to develop and implement a strategic vision for research, education, and program growth.
Experience recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining faculty and staff across a range of disciplines and roles.
Experience managing budgets, personnel, and other departmental resources.
A strong record of securing external research funding and supporting successful grant development by others.
Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration and productive partnerships with health systems, communities, schools, government, or industry.
A demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence, collaboration, transparency, and shared governance.
Commitment to strong undergraduate, graduate, and professional education at an R1 research university.

The College of Health and University of Utah

The Chair will join a highly collaborative College of Health committed to innovation, interdisciplinary scholarship, student success, and community impact. The position offers the opportunity to shape the future of a nationally visible academic department while leveraging the extraordinary resources of an R1 research university and integrated academic health system.

The College of Health is a dynamic academic unit within University of Utah Health, supporting a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. As part of the College of Health, the department benefits from extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary partnerships spanning public health, health promotion, population health, behavioral science, rehabilitation, and community-engaged research.

The University of Utah is an AAU member institution and a Carnegie-designated R1 university. Situated in one of the nation’s premier regions for outdoor recreation, tourism, sport, and active living, the University offers a distinctive environment for advancing research, education, and community engagement across parks, recreation, tourism, hospitality, and sport. As part of an academic health system and the College of Health, the department is uniquely positioned to address critical challenges at the intersection of recreation, health, well-being, sustainability, and community vitality through interdisciplinary scholarship and innovation. The University is experiencing significant growth in research, innovation, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships, creating exceptional opportunities for the next Chair to build upon the department’s strong foundation, expand its national visibility, and shape its future as a leader in preparing scholars and professionals who will positively impact communities locally, nationally, and globally.

Location

Salt Lake City: 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/211457

Applicants should include the following materials:

Cover letter addressing leadership experience, education and research accomplishments, and vision for H&K
Curriculum Vitae
Leadership statement (up to three pages) describing the candidate’s leadership philosophy, administrative experience, vision for the department’s future research, educational programs, and partnerships across the institution and community, and approach to fostering an inclusive and collaborative academic community. Please upload as a PDF under “Applicant Document – Other” category.
Names, titles, affiliations, phone numbers, and email addresses for three references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled.

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027

Inquires

Inquires may be sent to:

Paul Estabrooks
Professor and Associate Dean of Community Engagement
Department of Health & Kinesiology,
College of Health
Paul.estabrooks@health.utah.edu

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.

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Department Chair