Assistant Professor, Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science

The Opportunity

The School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences (SKRS) in the College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month tenure-earning assistant professor. This position is located at the UCF main campus with an expected start date in August 2027. The ideal candidate will have expertise in exercise physiology and rehabilitation science. We seek an innovative and collaborative scientist whose interdisciplinary and translational research advances human health mobility and performance.

As one of the nations largest public research universities and Floridas designated Space University UCF provides a strong environment for research addressing complex challenges at the intersection of exercise physiology rehabilitation science aging aerospace health and precision medicine. The successful candidate will join the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science (IEPRS) which supports collaborative research to improve human function across the lifespan and translate scientific findings into clinical and community applications.

UCFs growing aerospace health network includes the College of Medicines Microgravity & Aerospace Medicine Research Workgroup which brings together investigators from medicine engineering psychology kinesiology and the space sector. This network provides distinctive opportunities to study human health and performance in extreme environments and apply space medicine findings to health challenges on Earth.

The successful candidate will establish an externally funded research program that aligns with the Schools strategic priorities and advances methods to assess optimize or restore human function. Applicants with expertise in exercise physiology rehabilitation science healthy aging neurological musculoskeletal or cardiometabolic rehabilitation wearable and digital health technologies aerospace health and human performance biomechanics neuromuscular physiology movement science or related fields are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue competitive federal funding and develop partnerships with industry and health care organizations that support research translation and implementation.

SKRS supports a highly collaborative research culture. IEPRS faculty regularly collaborate with nationally recognized programs in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy and with colleagues in the College of Medicine College of Nursing College of Engineering and Computer Science and Florida Space Institute. Faculty also work with regional health care systems including AdventHealth OrlandoHealth as well as industry partners and community organizations. These relationships provide access to interdisciplinary expertise and clinical and community research settings. Established partnerships with the LIFE Institute and Legacy Pointe offer additional opportunities for community-engaged and translational research focused on healthy aging mobility and functional independence.

IEPRS provides several thousand square feet of dedicated research space and advanced infrastructure for research in neuromuscular physiology human performance exercise physiology biomechanics cardiovascular physiology rehabilitation science and wearable and digital health technologies. These resources together with graduate student support clinical partnerships and collaborative research networks provide a strong foundation for developing a productive and externally funded research program.

Responsibilities include establishing and sustaining an active research program; securing external funding; mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidates area of expertise; and providing service to the school college university and profession.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in exercise physiology kinesiology rehabilitation science integrative physiology biomedical engineering neuroscience movement science or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution at the time of application.

• Evidence of scholarly productivity including peer-reviewed publications and grant activity (e.g. applying for external funding).

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience as a faculty member or postdoctoral researcher or a combination of these roles with evidence of success conducting independent or collaborative research in exercise physiology rehabilitation science or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated success in securing or strong potential to secure competitive federal or industry funding.

• A research agenda aligned with one or more of the Schools strategic research priorities:

  • Healthy aging mobility and functional independence.

  • Neurological musculoskeletal or cardiometabolic rehabilitation.

  • Aerospace health and human performance.

  • Emerging health technologies including wearable sensing digital health artificial intelligence and remote monitoring.

  • Exercise physiology and precision exercise interventions.

  • Human performance neuromuscular physiology biomechanics or movement science.

• Experience conducting interdisciplinary and translational research with academic clinical industry or community partners.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website In addition to the online application interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.

• A letter of interest describing qualifications for the position such as research agenda and teaching experience/interest.

• A 2-page research statement

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and as applicable U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Ethan Hill at

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

On March 10 2026 UCF received clarification that the current State moratorium on H1B visas applies not only to new sponsorships but also to H1B transfers into the institution. This means we are unable to process transfers for individuals currently holding H1B status withother employers. UCF will share updates as soon as State guidance changes or additional details become available.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

For full consideration applications should be submitted by October 1 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications received after this date will be considered until the search is concluded.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as Open until filled may close at any time without notice. As such we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida we are a community of thinkers doers creators innovators healers and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is when you join Knight Nation youll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. Youll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty staff and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow youll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and youll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including Medical Dental Vision Life Insurance Flexible Spending and Employee Assistance Program.

• Paid time off including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options.

• Employee discounts including tickets to many Orlando attractions.

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment.

• And moreFor more benefits information view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting it is UCFs expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35 prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S. or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education employment or training in China Cuba Iran Russia North Korea Syria or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions including but not limited to faculty graduate positions individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds post-doctoral positions undergraduate positions visiting assistant professors and visiting research associates.

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The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position please call or email .

For general application or posting questions please email .