Posting Details
Position Information
School/College
School of Health Professions

Title
School of Health Professions-Open Rank -Physical Therapy

Assignment Category
Full-Time

Rank
Open Rank

Tenure Status
Open Tenure

Payroll Status
Faculty 12

Job Description

THE POSITION: Director of Research, Department of Physical Therapy
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Department of Physical Therapy at University of Alabama at Birmingham is expanding its research enterprise and we are searching for a senior level faculty member to provide progressive leadership for our team of faculty scholars. The Director of Research in Physical Therapy, who will report to the Department Chair of Physical Therapy, will be responsible for providing leadership and planning to assist physical therapy faculty members to increase research productivity of the department's research enterprise and for conducting research in their area of expertise. This individual will be expected to conduct research in his/her area of expertise and to secure extramural funding to support an ongoing research agenda.
In addition, this individual will be responsible for a less than 20% teaching load in his/her area of expertise in physical therapy sciences, while spending the majority of the teaching time supervising graduate students in their research activities.
QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Doctoral degree in physical therapy or other related area of rehabilitation.
2. A track record of extramural funding.
3. Experience as PI for NIH or other competitive funded research projects;
4. Recognized record of applied and/or translational research and scholarship activities.
5. Strong record of teaching at the graduate level.

Rank, tenure status, and salary are commensurate with experience and qualifications.
THE ORGANIZATION:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) traces its roots to the 1859 founding of the Medical College of Alabama and the 1936 opening of the Birmingham Extension Center of the University of Alabama. In 1945 the Medical College of Alabama was moved from Tuscaloosa and the University's Medical Center was founded in Birmingham. In 1954 the Extension Center was moved to a newly constructed facility adjacent to the Medical Center, bringing together for the first time the University's two academic components in Birmingham. Later, in November of 1966, the Extension Center and the Medical Center were administratively merged to form the "University of Alabama in Birmingham," an organizational component of the University of Alabama (in Tuscaloosa).
In 1969 UAB became an independent institution, one of the autonomous universities within the newly created three-campus University of Alabama System. Today, UAB is a comprehensive urban university with a nationally recognized academic health center. UAB is the only public, four-year degree granting university in the state's largest metropolitan area. UAB is the largest research institution in the state of Alabama and is the largest single employer in the state.
When Dr. Joseph Volker became UAB's first president 50 years ago, in 1969, he had a bold vision for our future that some people at the time considered extremely unlikely, wild, and even crazy. But those reactions did not deter him. Instead, Dr. Volker was powered by the will to grow our fledgling university into an internationally renowned leader in education, research and scholarship, and patient care.
Over the years, countless students, alumni, employees, and community supporters have shared that belief that we can build a brighter future for Birmingham, Alabama, and the world. Their efforts laid the foundation for five decades of growth and success far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
Breakthroughs made at UAB have had a global impact. To name just a few examples, we have pioneered game-changing treatments for cancer, diabetes, HIV, cystic fibrosis, and many other diseases. We engineered the fiber-optic endoscope, four-handed dentistry, and materials for lighter, stronger military gear. Locations in Antarctica-and on Mars-bear the names of UAB researchers to honor their contributions to marine biology and physics. Using satellite imaging, we have revealed thousands of buried pyramids in Egypt and ancient settlements around the world. And we have pioneered software and partnered with the FBI to catch cybercriminals.
As extraordinary as our past is, however, our future is even more promising. We have become one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse, and sustainable campuses. Here you will discover students and faculty redefining treatment through precision medicine, bridging gaps in education and health care, launching high-tech start-ups to boost our economy, and pursuing innovations in the arts, engineering, science, and many other fields.
Once again, we share a bold vision-and the willpower to bring it to life. I invite you to join us as we begin UAB's next 50 years.
UAB Health System and the Academic Health Center
Located in Birmingham, UAB Medicine is one of the top academic medical centers in the United States and Alabama's largest single-site employer. In addition to providing health care services for more than 1.6 million patients annually, we are committed to educating medical professionals and advancing medical science through research.
UAB Medicine is anchored by UAB Hospital, which has been named one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals and the Best Hospital in Alabama, the No. 1 Best Large Employer for 2021 by Forbes magazine, and we received a Top Ten Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corp. The hospital provides care to the sickest patients in the state and offers many services not available at other medical centers in the region, including research trials for promising new treatments.
School of Health Professions
A leader in federally funded research, the UAB School of Health Professions (SHP), is one of the largest academic institutions of its type in the United States and currently boasts several nationally ranked programs. What began in the 1950's as a collection of training programs in various para-professional disciplines has grown into an internationally recognized center of academic excellence.
The SHP initially took shape in 1969 as UAB gained autonomy within the University of Alabama System. Originally christened the School of Community and Allied Health Resources (SCAHR), the school incorporated the School of Health Services Administration and the Division of Allied Health Sciences from the College of General Studies with parts of the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology from the medical school. An innovative facility designed to meet the growing needs of the health care industry, the SCAHR was divided into four academic divisions that functioned like regular academic departments: Health Services Administration, Public Health and Environment, Allied Health Sciences, and the Regional Technical Institute for Health Occupations.
Throughout the 1970's and 80's the school's offerings were amended to reflect the changing health care industry. As a result of the changes, SCAHR became the School of Public and Allied Health (SPAH). Next it became the School of Community and Allied Health (SCAH) and later the School of Health Professions (SHP). During this time, the school added several new areas of study including a nationally ranked program in Nutrition Sciences. Through the leadership and guidance of early visionaries, the school experienced unparalleled success, which continues to date.
Today, the School of Health Professions is comprised of more than 30 programs - at the certificate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels - across five academic departments: Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Health Services Administration, Nutrition Sciences, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. The school is housed in three buildings, the Susan Mott Webb Nutrition Sciences Building, the Learning Resource Center Building, and the School of Health Professions Building (SHPB).
With more than 2,200 faculty, staff, and students, SHP is one of six schools comprising the world-renowned UAB Academic Health Center. Students have access to vast academic resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and progressive research.
SHP is proud of many accomplishments including:
•U.S. News & World Report ranks SHP programs in the nation's top 25
•Research funding is over $14 million and growing
•The school is at the top of the list in research funding from the National Institutes of Health for schools of its type and has been either first or second in funding received since 1969.
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS:
Rehabilitation Sciences Program:
Rehabilitation Science is an exciting field that focuses on helping patients with disabilities live their lives to the fullest. Our students seek to advance rehabilitation knowledge by participating in specialized research and teaching opportunities and gain a holistic viewpoint through experiences at a world-class research institution.
Growth
The development of the interdisciplinary field of rehabilitation is rapidly growing and essential to support the health care needs of an aging society. And as the population around the world continues to grow older, more research is necessary for the general population as well as the pervasiveness of obesity. With the escalating demand, rehabilitation experts are necessary to provide vital and successful care to clients. At UAB, our faculty provides evidence-based support in physical and occupational therapy for future rehabilitation scientists looking to develop transformative solutions in injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
Focus
You may choose to pursue academia, government, and policy sectors, or continue to practice clinically in the industry upon graduation. The aim of this program is to prepare candidates to become leaders in teaching and research within the field of rehabilitation science and is not a clinical training program.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:
The mission of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to prepare physical therapists who are evidence-based practitioners with the skills, knowledge and behaviors to deliver value-based physical therapy services, consultation, education, critical inquiry and administration, with a primary focus on clinical practice involving diverse populations.
Upon completion of the program, our DPT graduates are prepared to:
1. Deliver value-based and consumer-centered patient/client management to diverse populations to optimize movement, function and health.
2. Abide by national and state regulatory and legal standards and adhere to the core values and ethical principles adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
3. Engage in interprofessional collaborative practice by effectively educating, communicating and partnering with consumers, peers, other healthcare and non-healthcare providers, regulatory agencies, third-party payers, and other stakeholders.
4. Critically appraise the literature and other resources to guide evidence-based physical therapy practice.
5. Influence the ever-changing health care landscape through personal leadership, advocacy, lifelong learning in the clinic, community, professional organizations and society.
Our Graduation rate and ultimate licensure examination pass rate is 100%.
CAMPUS SETTING:
The UAB campus offers the best of both worlds - the energy and opportunity of a big city.
There's a lot going on at UAB. Lots of activities. Lots of cultures. Lots of everything. Every day we do our best to create a safe, fun environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Required Qualifications

1. Doctoral degree in physical therapy or other related area of rehabilitation.
2. A track record of extramural funding.
3. Experience as PI for NIH or other competitive funded research projects;
4. Recognized record of applied and/or translational research and scholarship activities.
5. Strong record of teaching at the graduate level.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Doctoral degree in physical therapy or other related area of rehabilitation.
2. A track record of extramural funding.
3. Experience as PI for NIH or other competitive funded research projects;
4. Recognized record of applied and/or translational research and scholarship activities.
5. Strong record of teaching at the graduate level.

Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F1977P

Open Date
10/17/2022

Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants
EEO Statement

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Statement

The laws and regulations regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination continue to evolve. Please be aware that UAB may determine that obtaining the COVID-19 or related vaccination is a requirement for this position, based on legal changes or otherwise. If that occurs, the successful candidate may be required to submit proof of vaccination or obtain an approved vaccination exemption as a condition of employment.
Pre-employment Background Check

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.
Drug/Nicotine Screen (if applicable)
About University of Alabama at Birmingham

To learn more about the University of Alabama at Birmingham click here.