Job Description / Duties

Position Summary:

The Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics at the University of Northern Colorado invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership (PEPAL) at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 2026. We seek a dynamic educator-scholar committed to preparing the next generation of physical education teachers/physical activity leaders and advancing the field through high-quality research, teaching, and service.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative faculty committed to preparing highly qualified physical education teachers/physical activity leaders and conducting impactful research that promotes lifelong physical activity and well-being. The PEPAL program is a central component of the department’s mission, with strong ties to K–12 partners, state and national professional organizations, and interdisciplinary initiatives across the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Job Duties:

- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in PEPAL and related areas (e.g., Instructional methods in PE, sociocultural issues in PE/PA, secondary content and methods, comprehensive school physical activity programming, policy-advocacy).
- Conduct a focused and sustained program of research that contributes to the advancement of physical education and/or comprehensive school physical activity programs in collaboration with members of the UNC Active Schools Institute.
- Pursue external funding to support research and professional activities.
- Advise and mentor undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, including directing action research projects and dissertations.
- Collaborate with school, community, and professional partners to enhance teacher preparation and support K–12 physical education and physical activity initiatives (e.g., field experience/student teaching supervision, state partnerships).
- Contribute to program, school, university, and professional service (e.g., recruitment & retention efforts, undergraduate program coordination, university committees, PE Club advising, state professional organization board).

Qualifications / Required Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

- Earned doctorate in Physical Education Teacher Education, Kinesiology, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field (ABD considered, with doctorate completed by December 2026).
- Demonstrated potential for a focused line of scholarly inquiry with evidence of publications, presentations, or other scholarly products.
- Evidence of ability to teach courses in PEPAL at the undergraduate level.
- Commitment to working with diverse populations and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

- K–12 physical education teaching experience.
Record of peer-reviewed publications and evidence of seeking or securing external funding.
- Experience supervising teacher candidates in field or clinical settings.
- Ability to teach and mentor at the graduate level.
- Evidence of engagement in professional service or leadership at the state, regional, or national level.

Additional Information

Application Deadline:

Screening of applications will begin on 11/03/2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Application documents to be submitted online are a letter of application/cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching philosophy, research interest, unofficial graduate school transcripts, and names and contacts of three references. In your teaching philosophy, please address the topics of belonging and inclusive pedagogy. References will be contacted for all candidates advancing to the final interview stage.

Benefits:

Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

EEO Statement
The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC community. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

Salary: $63,000-$66,000

Contact Information

For questions about the application process, contact nhshr@unco.edu. For questions about the position, contact the search chair Dr. Brian Dauenhauer at brian.dauenhauer@unco.edu.

Full posting-

https://unco.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/801?c=unco&sq=req801

Employer Profile

About UNC:

The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognized as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in their family to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

About the Department:

The Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership (PEPAL) program at UNC, housed within the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (KiND), offers comprehensive undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The bachelor’s program prepares future physical educators and leaders to develop physically literate K–12 students through a blend of classroom and field-based experiences in motor skill development, program design, pedagogy, assessment, and technology. The MAT-PEPAL program, delivered through UNC’s Extended Campus, equips school professionals to design and sustain comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP), making it one of the first of its kind to formally prepare educators as school-based physical activity leaders. The doctoral program develops scholars with the research, teaching, and practical expertise needed for academic and public-health-related careers in physical education and physical activity promotion.

The UNC Active Schools Institute (ASI), established in 2016, extends the mission of PEPAL through interdisciplinary research and community-engaged scholarship focused on promoting school-based physical activity. Guided by the belief that “active kids do better—in school and in life,” ASI emphasizes preparing physical activity leaders, supporting schools and districts with resources, and applying data-driven, evidence-based practices to create sustainable active learning communities. Collaboration across disciplines and strong connections with schools and organizations are central to its work, advancing both research and practice to champion physically active learning environments.

About the College:

The College of Natural and Health Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in the natural, health, human and mathematical sciences. Our students benefit from mentoring by faculty who are national and international experts in their fields and from meaningful research opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities. Our graduates leave us with a first-class education that has prepared them to contribute to society whether they become health-care providers, educators, scientists, dietitians, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, sport administrators, rehabilitation counselors, mathematicians, athletic trainers, recreation program managers, public health practitioners or work in other public service-oriented fields.