Human Resources

Job Description Summary

The Department Chair will lead the Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology faculty in their mission of excellence in education, research, and service. We seek an individual who has an earned doctorate in Kinesiology/Exercise Science, or a related health sciences field with the vision and experience to grow our undergraduate and graduate programs, elevate the department's prominence in human health-related research, and further our strong tradition of educational excellence. We are particularly interested in a chair that can support and complement existing research strengths in the department in exercise science, integrative physiology, motor learning and control, biomechanics, and public health.

The Chair is the chief administrative officer of the department and is responsible for the department's administration, hiring, promotion and budget, as well as being the leader in continuously improving the culture of diversity, inclusion, and excellence in teaching and research. The Chair serves as the primary liaison between the department and the rest of the University and external constituents, and is expected to advance the department’s mission through collaborations with partners both internal and external to the university.

The position is expected to begin July 1, 2025.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply (https://www.mtu.edu/diversity-inclusion/).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

Provide leadership in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Department and the curriculum.
Recruit, develop, and retain a strong departmental faculty and staff through active mentoring, conducting performance reviews, committing to continuous improvement, and making recommendations on reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
Effectively engage the department and other stakeholders in executing the department's vision and strategic plan, ensuring alignment with those of the College and University.
Manage the department’s resources (financial, personnel, space, and equipment) effectively to achieve long and short-term goals.
Contribute to University advancement activities by reaching out to prospective donors, alumni, academic, industry, and government groups, leading stewardship activities for current donors, and, as appropriate, leveraging department resources in support of the growth of total resources available to support the academics and research of the department.
Provide leadership focusing on maintaining the high quality of undergraduate and graduate programs and Physical Education activity classes.
Liaison for MTU for the Central Michigan University's doctor of physical therapy program cohort that attends the program on the MTU Campus.  Integrate safety practices into daily activities.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

An earned Ph.D. degree or professional terminal degree in kinesiology, physiology, or other health-related fields.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

Associate or Full Professor status at the time of appointment.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic setting.
Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in a health-related field.
Experience managing budgets.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Experience working in health-related science programs.
Experience supervising professional staff.
Experience in fostering an agile, supportive, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
Experience with, or a vision for securing resources through fundraising.
Experience with alumni outreach.
Experience advocating for and managing resources (financial, personnel, space, and equipment) effectively to achieve long and short-term goals.
Experience working effectively within a structure of shared governance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

Demonstrated research success in a health-related field.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

A distinguished record of scholarly activities.
Successful record in acquiring and managing external research funding.
Ability to lead in developing innovative and distinctive education and research programs.
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment. 

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

11 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

The review of applications will commence on October 15, 2024. The Committee will give full consideration to applications received by that date. Interested candidates should complete the online application and upload the required materials, including (1) a cover letter of interest, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) a statement of management philosophy, (4) a statement of research history and goals, (5) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (7) names and contact information for three references. You can find out more about this position, including where to submit your materials electronically at: http://www.employment.mtu.edu/cw/en-us/job/493587.

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech.

Please direct inquiries to Dr. Kelly Kamm at kbkamm@mtu.edu or (906) 487-1039.

Additional Information

Michigan Technological University, one of the four major research universities in the State of Michigan, is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, MI on the south shore of Lake Superior.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM.

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members’ partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at https://www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.