Assistant Professor of Health & Exercise Science

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Date application must be received for priority consideration by: November 6, 2026
• Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: September 16, 2027
• Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
• Job Family Group: Faculty
• Division/Department: College of Natural & Social Sciences/Health & Exercise Science
• Compensation Range: $68,156 - $72,330 (Instructor YIR 1-4) commensurate with experience in a comparable faculty appointment and according to the SOU faculty collective bargaining agreement
• Faculty Classification of Instruction Programs (CIP) Code anticipated: 31.05, Health and Physical Education/Fitness
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Appointment Basis: 9 month
• Time Type: Full-time
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
• This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
• Work Location Type: On Campus
• Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

• •Finalist Candidates for faculty positions shall provide copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the search committee at the time they are notified that they are a finalist.
• •Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) letter providing some detail of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; (2) current resume/CV; (3) teaching philosophy; (4) names and contact information for three professional references. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• •For inquiries and additional information, please contact: Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• •To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://hrs.sou.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_010125.pdf
• •Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://hrs.sou.edu/working-at-sou/search-jobs/total-compensation-calculator/, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The College of Arts & Humanities at Southern Oregon University (SOU) is seeking applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Health & Exercise Science.

The Department of Health & Exercise Science serves approximately 150 students and continues to grow. We offer degree pathways in Human Performance and Strength & Conditioning, Clinical Exercise Science, and Health Education and Promotion. Our Human Performance and Strength & Conditioning pathway is accredited by CASCE, and we plan to pursue CAAHEP-CoAES accreditation. Faculty within the department teach and mentor students across all three areas while also collaborating with colleagues and programs throughout the university.

Teaching responsibilities will include coursework across the Health & Exercise Science program, with primary responsibilities in basic nutrition, sport and performance nutrition, and general health and well-being. Additional teaching assignments will be based on the candidate’s background and areas of expertise and may include courses in exercise and disease, exercise physiology, advanced exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and/or care and prevention of injuries.

Other responsibilities include advising, mentorship, curriculum development, research, professional affiliations as appropriate, and other responsibilities as assigned.

We offer excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The start date is September 2027 and the position will be open until filled with priority deadline of November 6, 2026.

Southern Oregon University is a public liberal arts institution of approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 250 graduate students. The surrounding area is known for cultural offerings such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Ashland International Film Festival, and the Britt Music Festival. The region is noted for its unparalleled biodiversity and the university lies in close proximity to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The Rogue Valley is renowned for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking.

Minimum Qualifications

• •Initial appointment at the rank of assistant professor requires a Ph.D. in the discipline taught; another appropriate terminal degree may also be considered. While ABD candidates are encouraged to apply, the degree must be conferred prior to the start date.
• •Qualified to teach basic lower division nutrition, upper division sport/performance nutrition, and health courses.
• •Applicants should have at least one year of experience teaching in higher education.
• •Applicants should provide documented evidence of teaching excellence and scholarly activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Ph.D. in nutrition, exercise science, kinesiology, or related field from an accredited institution.
• •More than three years of teaching in higher education teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• •Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
• •Certification(s) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP) or Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) and/or Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa) Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC).
• •Previous experience or knowledge with CAAHEP-CoAES accreditation.
• •Ability to teach a wide variety of courses within the exercise science and related fields.
• •Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching and supervising student research, including students from diverse backgrounds.

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive

(100%) The primary responsibilities of all faculty members are: teaching, professional development, and service.

• •Teaching encompasses normal instructional activities beyond the teaching of assigned courses such as academic advising, working with students outside of class, posting and maintaining appropriate office hours, course and curriculum planning, etc.
• •Professional Development includes maintaining currency in the discipline taught.
• •Service includes program and institutional administrative, committee, and student support and retention activities
• •In addition, professorial faculty members are expected to participate in scholarly and/or creative activities, including formal research (whether in scholarship of discovery, scholarship of synthesis, scholarship of application, or scholarship of teaching), and in service to the university and beyond the campus, such as in professional organizations or other professionally related public service

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• •Demonstrated excellence in written, verbal, and technical communication skills and with a high degree of personal integrity and standards
• •Ability to facilitate an innovative, transformative curriculum and pedagogy to enable students to be prepared for the future
• •Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing
• •Demonstrated experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a bro