AssociateFull Professor in Physical Activity and BrainMental Health

Position Summary
The School of Science Department of Psychology and the School of Health and Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis invite applications for a tenured associate or full professor position at the intersection of physical activity and brain/mental health. The ideal candidate will have an outstanding scholarly record of human subjects research focused on physical activity sedentary behavior exercise and/or related constructs particularly in connection with mental health and brain function. Research programs across the benchtobedsidetocommunity continuum are welcome. Potential areas of interest for this position include but are not limited to: Developing testing and/or implementing innovative interventions targeting physical activity and/or sedentary behavior to prevent or treat mental illness substance use or brain disorders Integrating passive monitoring data with the electronic health record to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mental health substance use or brain disorders Improving approaches to measuring and monitoring physical activity and sedentary behavior such as actigraphy mobile tracking technology passive monitoring and artificial intelligence applications Elucidating mechanisms (e.g. systemic inflammation gut microbiota etc. underlying the impact of physical activity and sedentary behavior on mental health (e.g. substance use anxiety depression mood regulation stress and coping) and/or brain function (e.g. brain plasticity synaptic growth brain network organization and connectivity cognitive function) Using advanced neuroimaging and/or machine learning techniques to understand the connection between physical activity sedentary behavior and brain health. Examining the effects of prolonged sedentary behavior on brain and mental health particularly in aging populations and identifying the neurobiological pathways though which these effects impact conditions like depression anxiety and dementia. Advancing understanding of the impacts of mental health substance use or brain function (e.g. traumatic brain injury brain aging depression) on physical activity and/or sedentary behavior Studying how disruptions in circadian and behavioral rhythms and interventions addressing such rhythms impact mental health substance use or brain function The candidate will have highimpact peerreviewed publications and an NIH R01funded (or equivalent) research agenda as Principal Investigator (PI). Candidates leading externally funded research groups (with research scientists postdoctoral fellows graduate students and/or research staff) are especially encouraged to apply. This position is a strategic jointhire with the newly established IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing at IU Indianapolis. The mission of H2W is to foster collaborative research at the intersection of health life science and technology to meet community needs and improve health outcomes in the State of Indiana. The creation of H2W along with the pending construction of a new 50000 sq ft stateoftheart research building on the IU Indianapolis campus to house Institute faculty was made possible by a record investment by the Indiana State Legislature IU invests more than $250M to strengthen universitys states leadership and impact in biosciences: IU News . As a H2W investigator or fellow the joint hire will have access to additional resources in support of their program of research including seed funding for new projects graduate student/postdoctoral training support access to core facilities research space in the new stateoftheart research building and opportunities to lead interdisciplinary research teams. In addition they will have the added benefit of having access to additional seed funding graduate students and facilities in both the School of Science and School of Health and Human Sciences. The primary appointment in either the Department of Psychology in the School of Science or the School of Health and Human Sciences will be determined based on the successful candidates background. This is a researchintensive position. The candidate is expected to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaborative endeavors that transcend institutional silos to initiate and advance ambitious research initiatives at IU Indianapolis and within H2W. The candidate is also expected to contribute to translational research efforts that have a significant impact on the growing health life and technology ecosystem at IU Indianapolis. Some teaching in support of the educational mission of the primary Department/School is expected although the teaching load will be reduced to protect more time for research. The candidate will interact with other IU centers/institutes (e.g. Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health Indiana Alcohol Research Center Indiana Alzheimers Disease Research Center Center for Aging Research Regenstrief Institute Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Convergent Biosciences and Technology Institute) and affiliated researchers. In addition the IU Indianapolis campus is home to the IU School of Medicinethe largest medical school in the country and who received $243 million in funding from the NIH in 2023. Basic Qualifications : Candidates are expected to possess a PhD from a field related to the themes described including but not limited to neuroscience exercise science kinesiology or physical therapy. Candidates are expected to have achieved tenure at their current institution. Candidates are expected to have a record of outstanding research productivity with impact in any of the abovementioned areas or a demonstrated ability to develop one as well as the ability to secure and sustain federally funded research. The candidate is expected to demonstrate ability to teach effectively inperson online or in blended learning courses within their discipline. Application documents: CV Letter of application Research Agenda Descriptions of professional experience and teaching experience Contact information of three references As the states premier urban research institution IU Indianapolis is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive campus community. We seek candidates who will pursue the highest standards of academic excellence and whose research teaching and community engagement efforts contribute to welcoming respectful and inclusive learning and working environments for our students staff and faculty. Review of applications will begin on or shortly after March 3 2025 . However applications will be welcomed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. About the IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing (H2W): The IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing operates at the intersection of health life sciences and technology to meet community needs and improve health outcomes across the State of Indiana. Working with industry and community partners H2W will expand IU Indianapolis efforts to translate research and creative activity that meet Hoosiers most critical health challenges. This includes pursuit of communityengaged research focused on health equity. Interdisciplinary teams will address health issues particularly in the area of health disparities and promote mental and physical wellbeing. The Institute will build on IUs existing research strengths with the potential for immediate growth in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in early detection of chronic disease physical activity and health monitoring and health economics. About the IU Indianapolis School of Science : The IU Indianapolis School of Science is a hub for scientific research and education offering a range of undergraduate and graduate (MS and PhD) programs across disciplines including biology chemistry earth and environmental sciences forensic and investigational sciences mathematics neuroscience physics and psychology. With stateoftheart facilities and close ties to Indianapolis thriving healthcare biotech and life sciences sectors the school fosters interdisciplinary research and innovation and prepares students for careers in science medicine technology and education through handson research and collaboration with leading industry and academic partners. The Department of Psychology is situated in the School of Science. It is comprised of 21 fulltime faculty 700 undergraduate majors (BA and BS) 175 undergraduate Neuroscience majors (BS) and approximately 55 graduate students pursing degrees in Industrial and Organization Psychology (M.S. Clinical Psychology (PhD) and Addiction Neuroscience (PhD). About the IU Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences : The School of Health & Human Sciences offers a broad range of educational and research programs designed to prepare students for impactful careers in health wellness sports and human sciences. The schools programs emphasize experiential learning interdisciplinary research and community engagement all tailored to meet the needs of students aiming for various professions in healthcare and wellness fields. Students can engage educational programs in health sciences (healthcare rehabilitation health promotion) exercise science and kinesiology physician assistant studies occupational therapy nutrition and dietetics physical therapy and tourism event and sport management. Core areas of research include rehabilitation science musculoskeletal health physical activity and exercise community health and wellness and neurological and behavioral health. The School of Health & Human Sciences is comprised 4 academic departments (Health Sciences Kinesiology Graduate Health Professions Tourism Event and Sport Management) with 80 fulltime faculty 900 undergraduate majors (BS) and approximately 500 graduate students pursing degrees in Health Science Kinesiology and Nutrition and Dietetics (MS & DND Physician Assistant Studies MPAS Physical Therapy DPT Occupational Therapy OTD Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) and Exercise Science (PhD). About IU Indianapolis: The IU Indianapolis campus with over 21000 students is located adjacent to downtown Indianapolis. IU Indianapolis is the health and life science campus of Indiana University the focal point of health profession education in the State of Indiana. IU Indianapolis offers a full range of academic programs and is an academic leader in the life and health sciences. The School of Science and ONeill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indianapolis are on the academic Medical Center Campus home to the Indiana University School of Medicine the largest medical school in the US. Both schools have formed key research partnerships with the IU School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute an internationally recognized medical informatics research center. The schools also enjoy collaborations with the Roudebush VA Medical Center IU Health (one of the largest health care organizations in the Midwest) and the IU Schools of Nursing Public Health Public and Environmental Affairs Informatics Computing and Engineering. IU faculty have access to stateofthe art computing resources. IUs Quartz supercomputer Big Red 200 is among the worlds fastest research supercomputers. Owned and operated solely by IU these highperformance resources are designed to accelerate discovery in a wide variety of fields including biomedicine biotechnology health care and enable effective analysis of large complex biomedical data sets (i.e. big data). Overall IU Indianapolis research contributes significantly to the Indiana State economy with an estimated $672 million generated in economic activity from NIH funded projects alone. This growth aligns with the IU 2030 strategic plan aiming to support Indianas economic and health needs through expanded research infrastructure and collaboration across IU campuses. About Indianapolis: Indianapolis encompassing a metropolitan population of 1.9 million is the 14thlargest city in the nation and is the states capital. This diverse city boasts a high quality of life low cost of living and easy commutes. Indianapolis has six thriving Cultural Districts each offering a distinct mix of shopping dining and entertainment. Named the biggest and boldest step by any American city by Project for Public Spaces in New York City the $63 million Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an internationally acclaimed eightmile biking and walking trail that connects all six of Indys Cultural Districts. Indianapolis is one of the countrys most walkable cities with numerous parks paths and recreational amenities promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Indianapolis is home to outstanding cultural institutions as well as companies such as Eli Lilly & Co Roche Diagnostics Salesforce and Dow AgroSciences. Indianapolis often called Indy is home to the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association NBA Indiana Fever WNBA and the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League NFL and is widely recognized for hosting the Indianapolis 500 the worlds oldest major automobile race which takes place each year on Memorial Day weekend. Indianapolis also regularly hosts major sports events such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Final Four. A recent investment by the State Legislature is making way for a new 4100seat athletic complex on the downtown IU Indianapolis campus immediately adjacent the NCAA headquarters for IU Indianapolis Jaguar basketball and other sporting events. Finally Indianapolis is also home to acclaimed performing and visual arts including the Indiana Repertory Theatre Indianapolis Symphony Indianapolis Ballet and Indianapolis Museum of Art. The Indianapolis Zoo Indianapolis Childrens Museum and Indianapolis Childrens Choir provide fun for kids of all ages. Traveling to and around Indianapolis is easy convenient and affordable. Indianapolis International Airport IND is approximately 15 minutes from downtown and has been named the best airport in North America by Airports Council International for seven consecutive years. Known as the Crossroads of America Indy is within a days drive of over half of the countrys population. To learn more about Indianapolis see any of the following websites: IndyParks over 150 parks in and around the city Local Government & Neighborhoods Downtown Tourism City Guide Carmel Indiana rated the #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. Hiring Contact for Questions: Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to Jeanette Jefferson email address: .