Assistant/Associate Professor - School of Sport Sciences

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.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to teach in both in-person and online formats at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching responsibilities may span core content areas in sport and performance psychology, such as performance enhancement and mental skills development; performance across individual, group, and team contexts; psychological aspects of injury, rehabilitation, and return to performance; theoretical foundations of applied sport and performance psychology; ethical and legal issues in professional practice; psychopathology and performance populations; and research methods and evidence-based practice, depending on the candidate's expertise. Candidates with the ability to contribute to teaching in exercise psychology are also encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a systematic line of scholarship that leads to publications in high quality journals, acquire external funding to support their research agenda, as well as mentor undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will also be expected to 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.

Professional Qualifications

Required qualifications that must be met by time of appointment:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Review of Applications

Begins March 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Letter of Application/Nomination and Credentials

To apply, candidates must upload a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for four professional references (names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) to WVUHire at https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/faculty/jobdetail.ftl?job=29007. Only complete applications will be considered further.

Direct specific application questions to: Sam Zizzi, Search Committee Chair, School of Sport Sciences, College of Applied Human Sciences, PO BOX 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116, EMAIL: sam.zizzi@mail.wvu.edu

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

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Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.