Description

Position Title: Assistant Professor – 12 Month Appt – Tenure Track Physical Therapy 
Work Location: Springfield Campus
Faculty Appointment Type: Tenure Track Term: 12 Months 
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Position Summary: We would like to invite you to share the beginning of a second century 
of excellence in teaching, research, and service at Missouri State University. Nestled in the 
heart of the Ozark Mountain Region, Missouri State University is a comprehensive 
university system with a mission in public affairs. Our multi-campus university is 
committed to the pillars of Cultural Competence, Ethical Leadership, and Community 
Engagement. Missouri State University is devoted to helping the region, Missouri, and the 
nation imagine and make a better future. Comprised of more than 20,000 students, 150 
undergraduate majors and 47 graduate programs, many of which are the state’s strongest 
and largest of their kind, Missouri State University supports diversity and international 
elements, as well as collaborative community leadership. The Physical Therapy Program at 
Missouri State University invites applications for a 12- month, tenure track appointment at 
the Assistant Professor rank to begin May 1, 2026. The Assistant Professor is a member of 
the ranked faculty with an intermediate academic rank who has demonstrated 
achievement in the areas of teaching, research, and professional service appropriate to the 
discipline.

The Assistant Professor’s teaching responsibilities are assigned by the Physical Therapy 
Program Director and may include serving as an academic advisor. The Assistant Professor 
engages in scholarly activities beyond those associated with teaching and is expected to 
demonstrate professional productivity in research, based upon the availability of resources 
and consistent with the mission of the University.

Responsibilities:
The Assistant Professor will provide didactic instruction in the physical therapy curriculum, 
with primary emphasis on teaching students to evaluate and treat patients with acute, 
recurrent, and chronic orthopedic/neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Clinical expertise 
should include demonstrated experience in the management of musculoskeletal 
disorders, including the care of individuals with amputations or orthotic devices. Primary 
areas of instruction will include Clinical Biomechanics, Clinical Kinesiology, Orthotic and 
Prosthetic Patient Management, and professional and administration-related courses. The 
Assistant Professor will also be expected to supervise and mentor students in clinical and 
laboratory settings, as well as during integrated clinical experiences in the Missouri State 
University Physical Therapy pro bono clinic.

Additional responsibilities include serving as a research advisor, supervising research 
advisees, contributing to curricular development, and promoting student growth in critical 
thinking and problem-solving. Faculty members are further expected to engage in scholarly 
activity and to provide service to the department, college, university, and profession.
Clinical practice opportunities are available and encouraged.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be a physical therapist eligible for licensure in Missouri, hold 
an earned doctoral degree, possess at least five years of orthopedic or neuromuscular 
clinical experience treating patients with acute, recurrent, and chronic orthopedic and
neuromuscular dysfunction, have prior academic teaching experience, and have prior
administrative experience related to clinical operations. A research agenda and potential
for scholarly activity are required. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate effective 
communication and relationship building skills. The successful candidate will also exhibit
a basic understanding of inclusive teaching practices and be knowledgeable in the use of
student-centered pedagogy to actively engage students in the learning process. The 
candidate will join a unit dedicated to providing students with access to high-impact 
practices aimed at increasing student retention, persistence, and success.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary and rank is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available 
include health, vision, life, and dental insurance, as well as a selection of several defined 
contribution retirement programs. Dependents and spouses of full-time MSU employees 
are entitled to tuition waivers for dependents, up to 15 credits/year.

The position is a twelve-month appointment. 

Requested Start Date: May 1, 2026

Application Materials, Contact, and Application Deadline:
Screening of applications will begin on November 3, 2025 and will continue until the 
position is filled.

Interested individuals should apply online at: 
https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/83244

Application documents to be submitted online are:
1. Letter of application/Cover letter
2. A curriculum vitae
3. Statement of teaching philosophy, addressing teaching responsibilities
4. Statement of research interest
5. Names and contact information of at least three professional references
6. Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts
7. Proof of unrestricted, active licensure as a physical therapist

Upon hire, official copies of all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts will be
required.

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.
For additional information or informal inquires, contact Dr. Allison Adler, Faculty 
Search Committee Chair at 417-836-8998 or AllisonAdler@MissouriState.edu. 

Missouri State University adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy and does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other 
subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including 
marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender 
expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, 
disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable 
law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. 
Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, 
and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.