Assistant/Associate Professor - School of Sport Sciences

West Virginia University

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About The Position

The College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University is seeking applicants for a faculty position in the School of Sport Sciences. This position is a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor for the Morgantown campus to begin August 2026.
The School of Sport Sciences serves approximately 1,400 students across 15-degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in sport, exercise, and performance psychology, sport leadership, strength and conditioning, sport management, esports business and entertainment, health and well-being, and physical education and kinesiology. The School of Sport Sciences focuses on conducting and disseminating high quality research, preparing students to be leaders and innovators in their fields, and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of the state and beyond through outreach. We are looking for highly qualified individuals who can contribute to this mission.
The nationally and internationally recognized Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology program offers a longstanding undergraduate bachelor’s degree and doctoral program that prepare students to advance the science and practice of performance psychology in academic, applied, and industry settings. In fall 2026, the program will launch a fully online master’s degree and related credentialing programs in sport and performance psychology that will expand access to high-quality professional preparation for an interdisciplinary student population.
As part of a strategic vision to lead the next phase of the field, the School of Sport Sciences is strengthening its focus on applied performance psychology within and beyond sport, with particular emphasis on high-performance systems, emerging digital technologies, performance analytics, and evolving markets such as esports, tactical and military contexts, the performing arts, and organizational performance. The School seeks candidates whose scholarship, teaching, and applied engagement bridge sport and performance psychology with innovation, ethical leadership, and real-world impact.
Appointment
August 14, 2026. Faculty hired at the Assistant/Associate Professor level will be in a position that is promotable and tenurable and will have an annual nine-month appointment. Additional teaching opportunities may be available. Consideration at the rank of Associate Professor requires, at minimum, five years of higher education experience and a demonstrated track record of effective teaching, publication in high quality, peer reviewed academic journals, and external funding at a level consistent with those recently promoted to a similar rank.

Requirements

• An earned doctoral degree in sport, exercise, and performance psychology or a closely related area
• Evidence of creative and impactful teaching with undergraduate/graduate learners, including proficiency in online instructional formats
• A clearly defined research agenda with evidence of conducting and publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship
• Demonstrated ability to seek, write, submit, and secure external funding in support of an active research program
• A proven track record of innovation, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset in professional and academic settings
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated success in collaboration, interpersonal engagement, and team-based problem-solving

Nice To Haves

• Actively certified, or in the process of pursuing certification, as a Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
• Approved Mentor status, or progress toward eligibility, through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Responsibilities

• Teach in both in-person and online formats at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Maintain a systematic line of scholarship that leads to publications in high quality journals
• Acquire external funding to support their research agenda
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Provide programmatic service that supports student recruitment, retention, and success, including possible program coordination.
• Additional contributions to the school, college, university, and profession will be pursued as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree