Assistant Professor – Behavioral Science & Community Health Tenure-Line Faculty Position

We seek an innovative and collaborative scholar with a strong or emerging program of research focused on understanding and improving health and health behaviors across individuals, populations, communities, organizations, and/or health systems.
 

The Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme advances understanding of the multilevel factors that influence health and health behaviors and develops, evaluates, disseminates, implements, and sustains approaches to improve health across diverse populations and settings.
 

Areas of Research Interest
 

Areas of research interest may include, but are not limited to:
 

· Designing and testing health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease self-management across the lifespan;

· Understanding health behavior (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, weight management, sleep) change and the behavioral, social and structural, or environmental determinants of health;

· Dissemination and implementation of science focused on community and clinical strategies to improve the reach, accessibility, adoption, implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions;

· Digital, mobile, LLM-based, AI-enabled, adaptive, or other innovative approaches to health behavior change;

· Community-engaged and community-based participatory research;

· Supporting priority population strategies to improve health outcomes among populations experiencing disproportionate disease burden or barriers to health-promoting resources; and

· Multilevel interventions spanning individuals, families, organizations, communities, health care systems, or policy environments.
 

Candidates whose scholarship bridges behavioral science and other areas of departmental or University strength are particularly encouraged to apply. We welcome a range of methodological approaches and do not expect candidates to work across all areas listed above.
 

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

· Establish and maintain an innovative, collaborative, and externally funded program of research;

· Disseminate research findings through high-quality peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific meetings;

· Contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research within the Department, College of Health, University of Utah Health, and broader University community;

· Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses consistent with departmental needs and the candidate’s expertise;

· Mentor undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and contribute to the Department’s research-intensive MS and PhD programs; and applied MS program;

· Contribute to the intellectual and scholarly activities of the Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme; and

· Participate in appropriate service to the Department, College, University, profession, and/or community.
 

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:
 

· Earned doctorate (PhD, DrPH, ScD, or equivalent) in kinesiology, health promotion, behavioral science, public health, psychology, nutrition, implementation science, or another discipline relevant to behavioral science and community health by the start date;

· Evidence of the potential to develop an independent and impactful program of research;

· A record of peer-reviewed scholarship appropriate to career stage;

· Evidence of, or strong potential for, obtaining competitive extramural research funding;

· Evidence of, or potential for, excellence in teaching and mentoring students; and

· Strong potential to contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research.
 

Preferred Qualifications

· Postdoctoral research experience
 

About the University of Utah and Department of Health & Kinesiology

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, in the foothills of the majestic Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The University of Utah academic and health sciences campuses are adjacently located, facilitating seamless trans- and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
 

The Department of Health and Kinesiology is part of the College of Health and University of Utah Health Sciences. The Department of Health & Kinesiology’s undergraduate and graduate program is on the leading edge of training future scholars, health professionals and leaders in health sciences, with approximately 1,700 students registered in bachelors, masters and PhD degree programs. These programs are accredited by the National Academy of Kinesiology and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, with the graduate program consistently ranking as one of the top programs in the country.
 

Faculty in the Department of Health and Kinesiology have access to the College of Health’s state-of-the-science research facility, a resource-rich environment managed by a full-time lab manager and containing seven research laboratories:
 

· Exercise Intervention Laboratory

· Exercise Testing Laboratory

· Wet Laboratory

· Sleep, Circadian Physiology and Cognition Suite

· Metabolic Kitchen

· Mobility and Stability Laboratory

· Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory
 

Additionally, faculty have access to 24 core research facilities available at the University (cores.utah.edu) and the opportunity to collaborate with other entities across the academic and health sciences campuses including the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Center for Metabolic Health, Center on Aging, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Digital Health Initiative, College of Health Community Outreach and Engagement, among others.
 

Faculty in the Department of Health and Kinesiology have afforded success in obtaining extramural funding such as support from NIH, CDC, DOD and NSF.
 

University of Utah and Community

The University of Utah’s distinguished partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)—one of only eleven such partnerships worldwide—underscores its international leadership in applied health research, human performance, and athlete health and well-being.

With the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games returning to Salt Lake City, the Health & Kinesiology Program is uniquely positioned to advance and showcase innovative research, education, human performance, and community health and wellness initiatives associated with the Games. This environment provides exceptional opportunities for faculty to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to research and programs with local, national, and global impact.

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/209645
 

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter (maximum one page) describing the applicant’s interest in the position and alignment with the Department of Health & Kinesiology and Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. Research statement (maximum three pages) describing the applicant’s prior scholarship, current research program, and plans for developing an independent and externally funded program of research;

4. Teaching and mentoring statement (maximum two pages) describing the applicant’s teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and approach to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and

5. List of three professional references, including names and contact information.
 

Letters of recommendation may be requested at a later stage of the search.
 

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
 

Anticipated start date: July 1, 2027

Inquires

Inquires may be sent to:

Dr. Tim Brusseau

Professor and Chair

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

Tel: 801.587.7900

tim.brusseau@utah.edu
 

OR
 

Dr. Tanya Halliday

Associate Professor

Department of Health & Kinesiology

College of Health

tanya.halliday@utah.edu
 

University of Utah Health

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.