Dr. Kristiina Kumpulainen named 2025 International Academy of Education Fellow

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Open date: April 17, 2025
Deadline to apply: While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are asked to submit their complete application package by June 15, 2025.

The School of Kinesiology, within UBC’s Faculty of Education, one of the world’s leading faculties of its kind, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured) in Biomechanics of Human Movement.

Situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xwmə0kwəy’əm (Musqueam) people in Vancouver, Canada, the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured) position in Biomechanics of Human Movement. The appointment is expected to begin on January 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed upon between the University and the successful candidate.

The successful candidate must possess a PhD at the time of application in Kinesiology or a related field (e.g., Sport Science, Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering) and have expertise in human biomechanics. Post-doctoral training in human biomechanics is highly preferred. The successful candidate will contribute basic and applied research that supports the area of neuromechanical kinesiology. In addition to research into the biomechanical aspects of human movement, the successful candidate will be able to contribute to teaching in areas that require expertise and advanced knowledge in basic biomechanics and an applied area. This could include clinical biomechanics, injury biomechanics, occupational biomechanics, human factors, human robot interactions, or sports and exercise biomechanics.

The successful candidate must have: (a) a record of research dissemination, in terms of peer-reviewed articles in recognized academic journals in the field, and evidence of presentations at national and international scholarly conferences; (b) demonstrated ability (for the rank of Assistant Professor) to participate in scholarly activity and to secure competitive research funding (e.g., tri-council and partnership grants) in biomechanics, or evidence of a growing body of productive scholarly activity (for the rank of Associate Professor); (c) advanced knowledge and a demonstrated history of publications using biomechanical approaches in 3-Dimensional kinematics, kinetics, and dynamics of human movement; (d) demonstrated evidence of applying biomechanical techniques in applied setting; and (e) demonstrated potential (for the rank of Assistant Professor) or evidence (for the rank of Associate Professor) of successful teaching at all levels in biomechanics, as well as the ability to supervise and mentor graduate students. Research experience in electromyography, tissue mechanics, mechanical energy, wearable sensing and/or modelling is preferred.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a program of original, externally funded research (e.g., tri-council and partnership grants) and teach undergraduate courses in the School and contribute to the growth of the School through supervision of graduate students, participation in service activities within the University and in the broader scholarly community, and collaboration with scientists within the School and across Faculties at UBC.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach a core undergraduate course in biomechanics, as well as develop and teach a new advanced undergraduate course in injury biomechanics and another advanced applied biomechanics course (e.g., sport and exercise biomechanics, clinical biomechanics, occupational biomechanics, human factors, or biomechanics of real-world activities).

The annual teaching load for this position is 9 credits (equivalent to three courses). The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in the School of Kinesiology Balance and Falls Research Centre and collaborate across the areas of neuromechanical kinesiology, as well as in other diverse research areas in the School and, more broadly, the University. The successful candidate will complement the School of Kinesiology’s strategic plans for interdisciplinary research excellence within the School and across Faculties at UBC and play a key role in generating and disseminating knowledge on the role of physical activity and health in diverse populations.

This is a tenure-track (Assistant Professor) or tenured (Associate Professor) position in the Professoriate stream. As an Assistant Professor, the successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment, tenure, and promotion in subsequent years, in accordance with the Collective Agreement. As an Associate Professor, the appointment (rank and tenure) is subject to a positive review of the successful candidate’s record of achievements based on UBC’s appointment and tenure criteria as specified in the Collective Agreement, following the University’s established appointment processes. For more information on the review process and criteria for this stream, please visit this link. The position is subject to final budgetary approval. The expected pay range for this position is $150,000 – $165,000 per annum for an Assistant Professor, or $170,000 – $195,000 for an Associate Professor. Starting salary is determined both by the candidate’s qualifications and experience and by their placement on the career progress scale within the UBC Faculty of Education.

The School of Kinesiology currently has 31 full-time tenure stream faculty members, 1450 full-time undergraduate students, and 200 graduate students. We offer a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree with specializations in Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Multi-disciplinary Science. The graduate program includes M.A., M.Sc., Master of Kinesiology (non-thesis), Master of High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership, and Ph.D. degrees spanning multiple disciplines in kinesiology. For further details about the School of Kinesiology and its research, please visit the School’s website at this link.

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Faculty of Education is one of the leading Faculties of its kind in the world, often being tied for first in Canadian rankings and ranked among the top 20 globally. Our work advances educational research and understanding of teaching and learning in a way that affirms diversity, equity, and innovation, and takes part in international collaboration in an interdependent globe. We provide a comprehensive set of programmatic offerings at the baccalaureate, magisterial, and doctoral levels. For more information on the Faculty of Education, please visit this website.

The School of Kinesiology, the Faculty of Education, and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to research, teaching, and service, and have a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and teaching effectively in a welcoming environment. For more information about the Faculty of Education’s commitments and work related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, please visit this link.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an application package that includes

1. a cover letter indicating the position being sought (two pages maximum, and please indicate whether or not you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
2. curriculum vitae;
3. a five-year research plan;
4. a summary of teaching interests and philosophy (two to three pages maximum);
5. evidence of teaching excellence (such as course outlines and student evaluations if available);
6. three papers that are the most significant and relevant to your research interests;
7. an equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) statement that describes and documents your contributions to EDID through your teaching, research, service, and community engagement, addressing the following three areas: (1) understanding of and knowledge about EDID, (2) track record in advancing EDID, and (3) future plans for EDID; and
8. names and contact details of three references. Letters of reference will only be requested for candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.

Complete application files must be submitted in the format of one bookmarked PDF file, addressed to Dr. Robert Boushel, Director School of Kinesiology, and sent electronically to kin.hr@ubc.ca. Please indicate in the Subject Line: Biomechanics of Human Movement. Following the submission of the application, the applicant will receive an Equity Survey link via email. Completion of the Equity Survey is required as part of the application process. Accommodations are available on request for all applicants with disabilities at all stages of the search process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact educ.hr@ubc.ca.

While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application package by June 15, 2025. Questions regarding this search and the application deadline should be directed to Dr. Robert Boushel, Director School of Kinesiology at kin.hr@ubc.ca.

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Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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