Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Department Exercise Science Division Provost Terms and Hours Full Time Tenure-Track Faculty on a 9-month academic year assignment Salary Range The 2026-2027 annual salary for a first-year assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences is $76,934. Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, and retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of continuous full time employment. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Job Summary

The University of Portland located in Portland, Oregon, USA invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science to begin August 15, 2027.

The University of Portland is a primarily undergraduate institution comprising four professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which houses our strong liberal arts Core Curriculum, required of all students. The University Core provides students in all disciplines a unifying set of experiences and promotes engagement with the Six Core Habits of Heart and Mind, which include "Global & Historical Consciousness" and "Diversity & the Common Good."

The Exercise Science Program built on a successful minor to launch a major in Fall 2026. The major offers a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles underlying physical activity, exercise, and human movement. Grounded in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and neuroscience, the program challenges students to explore how the body adapts to exercise and physical stress, how movement is governed at the systems level, and how exercise interventions can promote health and performance from athletes to the general population.

The Exercise Science program leverages robust internal and external collaborations, including partnerships with UP Division I Athletics and local clinical partners (such as physical therapy clinics and sports medicine facilities)-to provide students with rich experiential learning, applied research opportunities, and professional internships.

The College of Arts and Sciences is strongly committed to recruiting faculty with a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences to reflect and support our increasingly diverse student body. As the oldest and largest unit within the University of Portland, we have a unique role to play in advancing campus-wide goals with regard to inclusive excellence. We offer many courses and bring expertise on complex social and organizational challenges and through our instruction, scholarship, advising, and service, we provide students across the University with frameworks for critical analysis, ethical decision-making, and constructive action. Furthermore, as a Catholic (Holy Cross) institution, it is our mission to support and develop our students as whole people by engaging their heads, hearts, and hands and to affirm the dignity and worth of all people. We seek employees who are likewise committed to promoting an environment of equity, inclusion, and celebration of difference, and who can contribute to our goals through their teaching, research, mentoring, and other activities.

Core Duties

University of Portland tenure-track faculty teach, advise, conduct research accessible to undergraduates, and serve the Department, College and University. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to excellent teaching, including attention to evidence-based instructional practices, and the potential for productive research in the context of a primarily undergraduate teaching institution. Teaching is central to the University's mission, and tenure-track faculty typically teach nine credit hours each semester, reflecting UP's strong commitment to student learning and faculty engagement.

The successful candidate will teach in-person core courses in the exercise science program such as fitness assessment, exercise prescription, exercise for special populations, research methods in exercise science, motor control, kinesiology, functional human anatomy, and/or the exercise science capstone. Teaching duties will also include courses in human anatomy and physiology for pre-health and other students in collaboration with the Department of Biology.

As a faculty member in the newly formed Exercise Science program, the successful candidate will work with colleagues within the department and across campus to build a strong program through student recruitment, curriculum and program development, and the cultivation of strong internal and external partnerships.

Education & Experience

• Required: Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent degree) in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related discipline
• Required: Teaching or instructional experience
• Preferred: Experience teaching undergraduate courses in exercise science, fitness assessment, exercise prescription, exercise for special populations, research methods in exercise science, kinesiology, functional human anatomy and physiology, and/or courses in related disciplines
• Preferred: Experience mentoring and supervising undergraduate student research projects

Certifications & Licenses

• Preferred: Certification in exercise, sport, or health from a recognized professional organization (e.g., ACSM, NSCA) or willingness to obtain certification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to develop, enhance, and teach a variety of courses within the field of exercise science.
• Ability to teach Human Anatomy and Physiology courses to pre-health and other students in collaboration with the Department of Biology.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in inclusive and student-centered teaching.
• Strong orientation towards continued learning and applying learning in the teaching environment.
• Evidence of a commitment to teaching and student mentoring.
• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Commitment to collegial collaboration (e.g., teaching, research, and service) both within the school and across the University.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle sensitive and personal information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds
• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus

Working Condition

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects or class schedules.
• Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University's mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University's mission statement states in relevant part: "we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world." The University's Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: "Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity."
• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number F077-2025 Estimated Start Date 08/15/2027 Open Date 10/08/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled No Special Instructions Summary

To apply, please complete the online application. The documents that must be provided include the following:

• Cover letter of application that addresses the reason for your interest in UP, position qualifications, specific areas of expertise, how you plan to enhance the exercise science program, including mentoring undergraduates in both career and research endeavors, and how you can support the University of Portland mission;
• Curriculum vitae;
• A brief teaching statement (approximately two pages) explaining how you will encourage student engagement through inquiry-based learning in undergraduate education, including a discussion of how you have fostered or would foster an inclusive learning environment for all students, especially those from diverse backgrounds;
• A brief (up to two pages) statement describing your research interests and plans for adapting your research to a primarily undergraduate, teaching-focused institution, including how undergraduates might be included;
• Names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks at a later stage of the hiring process.

Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials at a later date. Inquiries about this position can be made to the Program Director Dr. Terence Favero at favero@up.edu. For full consideration, applications must be received by November 8, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. Finalists may be asked to submit additional materials at a later date. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

The University of Portland is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

A background investigation check is required before final hiring procedures can be completed for all faculty and staff positions.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Research Interests

Optional Documents