"Assistant Professor for the proposed Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program"

Come and join the Bearkat community! Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.

SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Position Title
Assistant Professor for the proposed Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Requisition
202500108F

Rank
Assistant Professor

FLSA status
Exempt

Hiring Salary
Commensurate with education and experience.

Position Category

Position Type
Full-Time Tenure Track

College
College of Health Sciences

Department
Dept of Physical Therapy

Open Date
08/29/2025

Quicklink
https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/44346

Refer Applicants To
Contact Name
Dr. Sambit Mohapatra
Title
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & PROFESSOR
Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences
Suite 312
The Woodlands Center
3380 College Park Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77384
Contact Phone
936.202.5091
Contact Email
smohapatra@shsu.edu

Position Details

Duties Performed in the Usual Course of the Job
The Department of Physical Therapy invites applications for a 12-month full-time tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor for our pre-accreditation status Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This core faculty position will require teaching, scholarship, advisement, and service responsibilities with emphasis on developing and maintaining an active, externally funded research program. The successful candidate will contribute to didactic and clinical instruction within the DPT curriculum while establishing a robust research agenda. The university provides dedicated research space, competitive startup funds, and protected time for research activities to support faculty success. The appointment can begin as early as Fall 2025.

Educational Requirements for the Position
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, Kinesiology, or closely related field

Experience Required for the Position
Candidates must hold an active, unencumbered PT license in any United States jurisdiction and be in compliance with the practice act in Texas. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of research experience and scholarly productivity with potential for external funding.

Other Requirements for the Position
Preferred Qualifications
Established record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals.
Post-doctoral research experience.
Previous experience with federal funding (NIH, NSF, CDC, or equivalent) or strong potential for securing external funding.
Experience with grant writing and research administration.
Previous teaching experience in higher education, preferably in health sciences.
Experience with statistical analysis software and research methodologies.
Evidence of collaborative research and interdisciplinary work.
Knowledge of physical therapy accreditation standards and educational requirements.
Experience mentoring students in research activities.
Professional certification or specialization relevant to research area.
Active involvement in professional organizations and scientific communities.

Special Instructions Summary
Applicants should submit: (1) a letter of interest/cover letter that addresses qualifications, research interests, and fit to the position and department, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement outlining current and future research plans (2 pages), and 4) Names and contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation will be required if the candidate is selected for an interview, but they are not needed to apply.

Review of applications will begin as soon as possible and continue until the position is filled.

Any questions pertaining to this position can be emailed to the Search Committee Chair: SAMBIT MOHAPATRA PT., Ph.D.; PROGRAM DIRECTOR & PROFESSOR
Email: smohapatra@shsu.edu; Phone: 936.202.5091

Location
The proposed Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will be housed in Conroe, Texas on SHSU’s Medical and Health Professions Campus, and will matriculate students in August 2027.

In 2021, SHSU received tuition revenue bond funding to build an 80,000 square foot Health Professions Building. The new building, estimated to open in February 2026, will house four academic programs including the MS in Athletic Training, MS in Dietetics, MS in Physician Assistant Studies (proposed), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (proposed).

Conroe, Texas is in Montgomery County about 40 miles north of Houston, the 4th largest city in the U.S. The Houston Medical Center, located near downtown Houston, is the world’s largest medical complex. The SHSU Medical and Health Professions campus is approximately 10 miles north of the “Medical Center of the North,” which is in The Woodlands/Spring area. SHSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, which recently received Accreditation with Exceptional Outcomes by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), is also located on the same campus.

Open Until Filled
Yes

EEO Statement
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.