JOB: The Pennsylvania State University

The Pennsylvania State University

Assistant Professor – Social and Cultural Dynamics of Physical Activity

The Department of Kinesiology at Penn State University ( www.hhdev.psu.edu/kines/ ) is seeking an entry-level faculty member with expertise in the area of social and cultural dynamics of physical activity. This tenure-track position, which will begin Fall Semester 2009, provides opportunities to join a progressive, multi-disciplinary group of faculty that studies human movement and physical activity.

The department encourages applications from scholars trained in a variety of dimensions of social and cultural studies, including history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and politics, with broad interests in a variety of forms of physical activity, especially sport, exercise, public health and fitness, and physical education. The successful candidate will need to integrate with the current strengths of the department in social and cultural dynamics and the study of the meanings of human movement and activity across times, spaces, and cultures. An ability is required to contribute in some fashion to other areas of study in the department, including sport and exercise psychology, biomechanics, motor control, and exercise physiology.

Candidates must have an earned doctorate in an appropriate area, an established record of scholarship, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and service. The successful candidate will be expected to secure extramural research funding and assume teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Post-doctoral experience and an established research program are preferred.

The Department of Kinesiology is an academic unit in the College of Health and Human Development ( www.hhdev.psu.edu ) offering B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The educational environment is enriched by the considerable breadth and diversity of faculty expertise and educational opportunities for students. Significant pertinent resources include the Ronald A. Smith Sport History Book Collection, the Sport and Physical Education Archives of the Paterno Library, and a sport studies faculty interest group that includes more than thirty members from the colleges of Health and Human Development, Law, Liberal Arts, Communications, Education, and the Smeal College of Business. Collaborations are encouraged with multi-disciplinary Penn State organizations such as the Children, Youth and Families Consortium, Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Social Science Research Institute, Population Research Institute, Rock Ethics Institute and the Program on Sport Studies.

The Pennsylvania State University is the land grant institution of Pennsylvania. University Park is the largest of Penn State’s 24 campuses, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 42,000 students and offering more than 150 programs of graduate study. University Park is located in Central Pennsylvania, adjacent to the municipality of State College, which enjoys high rankings for cultural opportunities, local schools, and quality of life.

Penn State values diversity in all forms and we encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications should include:
· a letter describing scholarly interest and qualification
· a complete curriculum vita
· reprints of three recent publications
· the names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of three professional references

Direct all correspondence to: Dori Sunday (Administrative Support Assistant)
Social Cultural Search Committee
275 Recreation Building, Department of Kinesiology
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802.
Phone: (814) 863-1163; e-mail: dxe8@psu.edu

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.