Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Health/Movement Pedagogy Position (.pdf)
Exercise Science invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position.
Doctorate in health/PE pedagogy or closely related field required (ABD considered).
Courses include teaching methods, personal health, adapted PE, nutrition, mentoring
undergraduate research, & specialty. Commitment to evidence-based practice
required. Exercise Science is vibrant & science-based, with strong links to Pacific's
education and health graduate programs. Send letter addressing teaching and
research values, CV, transcripts, & 3 recommendation letters to: Philip Schot, PhD;
Pacific University; Forest Grove, OR 97116. Women and minority candidates are
especially encouraged to apply. Application review begins January 11, 2008.
The cornerstone tenet of Exercise Science at Pacific University is that life activity is expressed
predominantly through movement. From this appreciation the department has developed a philosophy
and a curriculum that emphasizes an evidence-based, multidisciplinary scientific approach to the study of
human movement. We aim for a critical mass of academically diverse faculty organized by their common interest in human movement. We have in place: a physiologist studying acute responses and long-term
adaptations to various types of physical activity, a biomechanist studying effects of internal and external
applied forces as humans move, and a psychologist exploring factors that influence how motor skills are
learned. We maintain three instructional/research labs that support each area in a collaborative fashion.
We aim to recruit a new member for our program that will have expert knowledge and teaching ability in
the areas of health and pedagogy and serve as a mentor and role model for students with similar interests
and aspirations.
The mission of the Exercise Science program is for students and faculty to engage in the generation,
dissemination and application of knowledge related to human movement. While a health-science context
is emphasized, the curriculum enables students to understand movement by integrating multiple scientific
perspectives so as to be successful in a variety of arenas. Thus, all Exercise Science students complete a common core (e.g., statistics, anatomy & physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, motor learning, exercise
physiology, capstone project) and a concentration in either Motor Behavior (accentuates behavioral /
applied considerations) or Integrative Physiology (emphasizes natural science content). The program
provides excellent training for individuals interested in vocations in the fields of the health professions,
applied fitness, education, and scientific inquiry. The 3 full-time faculty mentor approximately 35
graduates annually. Approximately 60% go on to health professions training, 15% into education, 10%
into graduate kinesiology study and 10% into applied fitness.
Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate in health / physical education pedagogy or related field (ABD considered).
- Record or promise of teaching excellence.
- Record or promise of active independent scholarship
- Record or promise of meaningful service to community and profession
- Commitment to an evidence-based practice philosophy, particularly as manifest in mentoring undergraduate students in meaningful research activities
Responsibilities:
- Undergraduate course instruction as assigned.
- Supervision of senior capstone projects
- Academic advising
- Maintain or develop active program of scholarship (start-up funding available)
- Maintain or develop community and professional service contributions
Required Application Materials:
- Letter of interest that addresses teaching and research perspectives
- CV
- Transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
The advertisement lists fairly diverse duties and understandably requires additional explanation. Below is a prioritized list and partial description of specific departmental needs we aim to meet with highly qualified, tenure-track faculty. In its entirety, the list is far beyond that which could be addressed by this position alone. The numbers in () indicate the workload units currently assigned to each duty (21 units constitutes a full workload) and may be subject to modification. The list provides some sense of the structure and potential flexibility:
- Capstone Advising (5): Supervise the pedagogy/health/applied fitness related capstone activities of ~10 students annually.
- Teaching Physical Activity (5): This is a two course sequence with the first term focused on instruction in general teaching, administration and organizational strategies for physical activity settings followed in the second term by a practical experience where elementary school students come to Pacific for PE.
- Nutrition (6): We currently offer 2 nutrition course options. One is basic and the other has more of a physiologic/biochemical focus. They are not sequential: students select the one that fits their background and goals. We are discussing whether providing both versions is necessary for our curriculum.
- Activity Program Administration (2): The department oversees the general physical activity offerings. The successful candidate is anticipated to have the interest and expertise to provide leadership for this part of the program.
- Personal Health (3): Study of physical, mental, intellectual and social well-being for effective functioning, individually and within the environment. This class has been inactive for several years, but with Pacific’s reputation for health profession preparation, should be reinstated.
- Adapted PE (3): Introduction to adapted, corrective and developmental physical education. This course has had a large practical component in previous offerings.
- Sport in Society (3): Investigation of sport as a social phenomenon.
- Coaching Principles (3): General principles for coaching sports including strategy and tactics, motivation, ethics, liability, budgeting, and development of organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Medical Kinesiology (3): Examination of multidisciplinary issues bridging human movement and
health/biomedical science.
Pacific is an ideal location – the town of Forest Grove surrounds a comfortable campus in a safe
neighborhood. A drive of twenty-five minutes, or an easy hop on the bus or light rail, puts you in
downtown Portland with of all the cultural advantages of a big city: shopping, theatre, professional sports,
dining, museums and art galleries. Forest Grove is not a typical suburb, however. Immediately adjacent
to town are farms, wineries and landscape nurseries and Oregon's "silicon forest" high-tech industry.
Ocean beaches and majestic mountains are a within short drive. With its temperate climate, rugged
coastline, lush forests, and snow-capped mountains, the Pacific Northwest is a haven for outdoor
enthusiasts. Pacific is right in the thick of it. Within an hour, you can hike, kayak, fish, snowboard, ski,
mountain bike or go white water rafting.
Pacific University is one of the West's oldest chartered higher education institutions. Pacific annually ranks
as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is ranked as one of the best tuition
values in the West. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students, Pacific University provides an
excellent academic experience linking theory to practice in education.
Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women and minority candidates are encouraged to
apply. Review of applications will begin January 11, 2008 and continue until the position is filled.
Direct application materials and/or inquiries to:
Philip Schot, PhD
Pacific University
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116