Endowed Chair in Aging and Dementia Research

Job Posting Number:

2026082TTL

Job Location:

San Marcos

Department:

Office of the Provost and EVPAA

Position Description:

Texas State University seeks applications for an endowed chair at the rank of Professor to conduct research on any aspect of aging and dementia research. Texas State University is a leader in aging and dementia with strengths in interdisciplinary social and behavioral dementia research, translational and community-engaged research, caregiving, ethics and autonomy in aging, environmental research and community design, physical therapy and cognitive psychology.

Texas State is home to a robust community already working across disciplines, the Alliance of Researchers in Aging (ARIA). ARIA supports networking opportunities and interdisciplinary research in aging, including research on cognition, cognitive decline and dementia, mental health, care-giving, and physical, social and spiritual well-being. Texas State also offers a Master of Science degree in Dementia and Aging Studies with three tracks: 1) Dementia and Long-Term Care, 2) Practitioner and 3) Researcher.

Texas State University receives a full share of the Texas University Fund (TUF) and plans to invest funds in recruitment and substantial start-up support for strategic hires with established research programs and active external funding in historic and emerging areas of research strength, including in aging and dementia research. Texas State University hosted a town hall on April 8 to discuss areas of impact for hiring in aging and dementia research and to bring together the aging and dementia research community.

We seek to hire dynamic and innovative scholars with an exceptionally strong research record supported by external funding. An applicant’s scholarly focus should complement and enhance the aging and dementia scholarship and teaching strengths of Texas State, such as

• Prevention-focused aging and dementia research
• Modifiable risk factors, early detection and micro-cognitive deficits, environmental and chemical exposures linked to dementia onset, aging in place and upstream interventions, early detection, and musculoskeletal research tied to aging and mobility issues.
• Technology-enabled aging and dementia research
• AI, machine learning, sensors, wearables, robotics, VR/AR, assistive technologies, large datasets
• Community-based, translational, and participatory research
• Aging in place, social isolation, caregiver support, outreach infrastructure (mobile units, model homes, etc.), life-course and longitudinal studies
• Built environment, design and architecture for aging
• Interior design, construction science and architecture for mobility and cognition, smart communities, integration of design research with health, engineering and social sciences

Responsibilities:

• Bring and seek external funding and coordinate interdisciplinary grants with both internal and external collaborators.
• Conduct and publish original research on aging and dementia.
• Lead interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty across the university.
• Develop and maintain an active research agenda.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses on aging and dementia, and related subjects.
• Mentor and advise students.
• Contribute to the workforce development and development of the aging and dementia curriculum.
• Participate in service activities at the department, college, and university levels.

The successful candidate will join the department(s) appropriate to their area of scholarly focus. The successful candidate will be expected to build and lead a community of scholars and students including bringing a research group supported by existing external grants and will have the opportunity to negotiate additional hires in related areas to support their research.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or terminal degree.
• Evidence of a strong scholarly focus on and sustained record of research excellence in aging and dementia research.
• Evidence of sustained record of excellence in teaching and mentoring students.
• Evidence of a sustained record of obtaining external funding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of activity in organizing conferences and sessions on aging and dementia.
• Experience in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students.
• Experience supporting experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Evidence of community engagement for scholarship and teaching.

Application Procedures:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be accepted and considered: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/57017. Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

• A cover letter highlighting scholarly focus, publications, teaching, and external funding;
• A detailed curriculum vitae;
• Unofficial transcripts; and
• The names and contact information of three references. Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be accepted and considered.

The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts from all degree granting universities.

Proposed Start Date:

Fall 2026 (negotiable)

Posting Date:

05/12/2026

Review Date:

07/31/2026

Open Until Filled?:

Yes