Assistant Professor of Physical Education (Tenure Track)

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Position: Assistant Professor of Physical Education

We invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position on the Tampa campus, beginning in August 2027. The successful candidate will teach courses in Physical Education Teacher Education, Athletic Coaching, Physical Activity Leadership, and related minors. They will support students during clinical and practicum experiences and contribute to the continued growth and development of these programs. This may include leadership and coordination, depending on departmental needs and the candidate’s qualifications and   
experience.  

This position carries a 2:2 teaching load, with possible summer teaching opportunities based on program needs and student demand. Primary teaching and program responsibilities include: (1) teaching courses in physical education teacher education, athletic coaching, and physical activity leadership; (2) supporting and overseeing practicum and clinical experiences; (3) serving as course lead for undergraduate and graduate courses; and (4)   
contributing to curriculum development and program enhancement. 

As a tenure-track faculty member at an Association of American Universities (AAU) institution, the successful candidate will also be expected to maintain an active research agenda by publishing in high-impact journals within the field, pursuing external funding and external rewards where appropriate, and establishing a national reputation of meaningful and consistent research across their career. Additionally, the candidate will engage in   
department, university, and professional service, and participate in administrative activities that support the mission of the department and university.   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

Required Qualifications:  
• Doctoral degree in physical education (or closely related field) by the time of appointment. Applicants who are         ABD (all but dissertation) must submit a letter from their major professor/dissertation chair confirming                     satisfactory progress and anticipated degree completion prior to the appointment start date;  
• Experience teaching college-level physical education and/or athletic coaching and   
  physical activity leadership courses;  
• At least 18 graduate hours of physical education coursework, sufficient for   
  accreditation purposes;  
• Evidence of an emerging scholarly agenda with potential for sustained research   
  productivity, scholarly dissemination, and external funding where appropriate;  
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in K–12 physical education   
  teaching, athletic coaching, or a combination thereof.

Preferred Qualifications:  
• Interest/specialization in any of the following: elementary or secondary physical education, adapted physical           education/physical activity, athletic coaching, etc.;   
• Active engagement in professional organizations;  
• Experience supervising or mentoring pre-service and/or in-service teachers or coaches;  
• Demonstrated ability or potential to contribute to school-based or community   
  partnership initiatives;  
• Experience teaching online and/or using technology-enhanced pedagogies in higher   
  education;  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative academic or professional   
   teams;  
• Evidence of commitment to student success.  

Salary: Negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

APPLICATION PROCESS  

Applications should include a letter describing qualifications for the position in each of the above areas, current vita, unofficial university transcripts, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references. Applicants who are ABD (all but dissertation) must also submit a letter from their major professor/dissertation chair confirming satisfactory progress and anticipated degree completion prior to the appointment start date. All required documents must be uploaded in one attachment. Position finalists will be required to provide official university transcripts and letters of recommendation from professional references.   
Letters from references are not required at the time of application. References will not be contacted until the advanced stages of screening, and candidates will receive prior notification. Please specify Position #330126192 on all submitted documents. Applications must be submitted electronically to https://jobs.usf.edu/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/USF/.   

Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by 5:00 P.M. EST on September 15, 2026. For more information about the position or application, please contact Dr. Sara Flory ([email protected]), Chair of the Search Committee.   

ABOUT US  

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF’s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public   
universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.  

About USF 
  
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
  
Compliance and Federal Notices  
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.  

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)  

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.  

Equal Employment Opportunity  

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. 

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.