Assistant/Associate Professor of Physical Therapy (OPEN RANK)

The Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate level. The faculty member is expected to establish an independent and extramurally funded research program of outstanding quality in an area closely related to biokinesiology. The focus of biokinesiology is understanding the biological bases of both healthy and disordered human movement; this includes how the human body adapts to growth and experience as well as to injury, disease, and aging within our society and health care systems. In addition to research, the faculty member will be expected to teach in the Doctor of Physical Therapy and/or PhD programs and to contribute to faculty and University governance.

The Division has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in scholarship, teaching, and service. In the last two years, our faculty, staff, and students have committed to becoming an anti-racist organization (https://pt.usc.edu/about/diversity-anti-racism/). We therefore are determined to attract a diverse group of excellent candidates to be considered for the position.

Although our search is broad, the Division has special needs in several key areas: musculoskeletal biomechanics, exercise science, chronic pain, geriatrics, and health systems research. Candidates may have backgrounds in general areas of biomechanics, computer science, engineering, exercise science, gerontology, neuroscience, motor development, or physical therapy clinical science including health services outcomes. A major objective of the Division is to develop a strong association between basic and clinical research, and to build collaborative and interdisciplinary research programs that complement the research strengths of the Division and University at large. The University strongly encourages interdisciplinary research arrangements.

An earned post-professional doctoral degree is required. For early-stage investigators, a promising publication record and post-doctoral research experience are essential. For mid-career candidates, evidence of prior research funding, teaching aptitude, and graduate student advising is expected. Eligibility for physical therapy licensure in California is preferred, although not required.

The Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC has a well-established 77-year history of teaching excellence and research innovation and impact. This includes the highly ranked DPT program and a PhD program in biokinesiology that has been graduating outstanding researchers for 40 years. The Division’s faculty is comprised of basic scientists, applied researchers, and master clinicians working in close partnership with community practitioners. The faculty clinical practices operate in acute care and outpatient settings at Keck Medical Center of USC, as well as in a network of private practices. Teaching facilities are modern and include spacious teaching laboratories, and two state-of-the art lecture halls. Faculty research facilities include motion analysis, exercise science, neuroscience, motor behavior and motor development laboratories and a dedicated clinical research center.

The Division, which is administratively housed within the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, is located on USC’s Health Sciences Campus, and enjoys collaborative relationships with the other disciplines of the academic health center including medicine, occupational science and occupational therapy, pharmacy, speech pathology and preventive medicine. Keck Hospital of USC, the LA County + USC Medical Center, the USC Norris Cancer Hospital, the USC Arcadia and Verdugo Hills Hospitals, as well as Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles are also part of the campus community. Our faculty have strong collaborative relationships with academic programs located on USC’s nearby University Park Campus including the Viterbi School of Engineering, School of Gerontology, Iovine and Young Academy for Art, Technology and Business of Innovation and various Departments in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Additionally, the Division has a long history of collaboration with the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center. The Division has more than 500 students engaged in graduate study in the PhD and MS programs in Biokinesiology, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, or clinical residencies in orthopedic, neurologic, sports oncology or pediatric physical therapy. Our Division leads and is affiliated with large externally funded research centers of local, national, and international scope.

The annual base salary range for Assistant Professor position is $100,000-$150,000 and for the Associate Professor position is $125,000-$175,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. The university provides an excellent benefits package. The position will be available Fall 2025.

Candidates should send letter of interest, research statement, and curriculum vitae to:

Kornelia Kulig, PhD, PT, FAPTA
Chair, Biokinesiology Search Committee
Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
University of Southern California
1540 East Alcazar Street, CHP 155
Email: lvazquez@usc.edu

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, color, gender, creed, and background. The University particularly encourages women, members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.