Tenured Associate/Full Professor in Physical Activity and Brain/Mental Health

Dual Appointment - Department of Psychology in the School of Science and School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis

The School of Science Department of Psychology and the School of Health and Human Sciences at Indiana University, Indianapolis invite applications for a tenured associate or full professor position at the intersection of physical activity and brain/mental health. The ideal candidate will have an outstanding scholarly record of human subjects research focused on physical activity, sedentary behavior, exercise, and/or related constructs, particularly in connection with mental health and brain function. Research programs across the bench-to-bedside-to-community continuum are welcome.

Potential areas of interest for this position include but are not limited to:

Studying how disruptions in circadian and behavioral rhythms and interventions addressing such rhythms impact mental health, substance use, or brain function

Exciting collaborative research efforts in areas overlapping with Physical Activity and Brain/Mental Health are currently underway at IU Indianapolis. In one large project, IU Indianapolis faculty are actively engaging the Indiana Pacers, USA Gymnastics, and Penske Racing, among others, in a large collaborative effort to explore factors impacting women's sports performance. In another effort, faculty at IU Indianapolis are working toward establishing a research center focused on injury recovery in women across the lifespan. These efforts and others could provide terrific opportunities at IU Indianapolis for the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will have high-impact peer-reviewed publications and an independently funded research agenda (e.g., NIH R01-funded or equivalent) as Principal Investigator. Candidates leading externally funded research groups (with research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and/or research staff) are especially encouraged to apply.

This position is a strategic joint-hire with the newly established IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing at IU Indianapolis. The mission of H2W is to foster collaborative research at the intersection of health, life science, and technology to meet community needs and improve health outcomes in the State of Indiana. The creation of H2W, along with the current construction of a new 50,000 sq ft state-of-the-art research building on the IU Indianapolis campus to house Institute faculty, was made possible by a record investment by the Indiana State Legislature ( IU invests more than $250M to strengthen university's, state's leadership and impact in biosciences: IU News ).

As an H2W investigator or fellow, the joint hire will have access to additional resources in support of their program of research, including seed funding for new projects, graduate student/postdoctoral training support, access to core facilities, research space in the new state-of-the-art research building, and opportunities to lead interdisciplinary research teams. In addition, they will have the added benefit of having access to additional seed funding, graduate students, and facilities in both the School of Science and School of Health and Human Sciences.

The primary appointment - in either the Department of Psychology in the School of Science or the School of Health and Human Sciences - will be determined based on the successful candidate's background. This is a research-intensive position. The candidate is expected to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaborative endeavors that transcend institutional silos to initiate and advance ambitious research initiatives at IU Indianapolis and within H2W. The candidate is also expected to contribute to translational research efforts that have a significant impact on the growing health, life, and technology ecosystem at IU Indianapolis. Some teaching in support of the educational missions of the primary and secondary appointments is expected, although the teaching load will be reduced to protect more time for research.

The candidate will interact with other IU centers/institutes (e.g., Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Convergent Biosciences and Technology Institute) and affiliated researchers. In addition, the IU Indianapolis campus is home to the IU School of Medicine-the largest medical school in the country and who received $517 million in external research funding in 2024.

As the state's premier urban research institution, IU Indianapolis is committed to being a welcoming campus community. We seek candidates who will pursue the highest standards of academic excellence and whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to welcoming and respectful learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Review of applications will begin on or shortly after November 1, 2025. However, applications will be welcomed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About the IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing (H2W):

The IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing operates at the intersection of health, life sciences and technology to meet community needs and improve health outcomes across the State of Indiana. Working with industry and community partners, H2W will expand IU Indianapolis' efforts to translate research and creative activity that meet Hoosiers' most critical health challenges. This includes pursuit of community-engaged research focused on health equity. Interdisciplinary teams will address health issues, particularly in the area of health disparities, and promote mental and physical well-being. The Institute will build on IU's existing research strengths, with the potential for immediate growth in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in early detection of chronic disease, physical activity and health monitoring, and health economics.

About the IU Indianapolis School of Science :

The IU Indianapolis School of Science is a hub for scientific research and education, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate (MS and PhD) programs across disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, forensic and investigational sciences, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology. With state-of-the-art facilities and close ties to Indianapolis' thriving healthcare, biotech, and life sciences sectors, the school fosters interdisciplinary research and innovation, and prepares students for careers in science, medicine, technology, and education through hands-on research and collaboration with leading industry and academic partners. The Department of Psychology is situated in the School of Science. It is comprised of 21 full-time faculty, 700+ undergraduate majors (BA and BS), 175+ undergraduate Neuroscience majors (BS), and approximately 55+ graduate students pursing degrees in Industrial and Organization Psychology (M.S.), Clinical Psychology (PhD, APA-accredited), and Addiction Neuroscience (PhD).

About the IU Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences :

The School of Health & Human Sciences offers a broad range of educational and research programs designed to prepare students for impactful careers in health, wellness, sports, and human sciences. The school's programs emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement, all tailored to meet the needs of students aiming for various professions in healthcare and wellness fields. Students can engage educational programs in health sciences (healthcare, rehabilitation, health promotion), exercise science and kinesiology, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, physical therapy, and tourism, event, and sport management. Core areas of research include rehabilitation science, musculoskeletal health, physical activity and exercise, community health and wellness, and neurological and behavioral health. The School of Health & Human Sciences is comprised 4 academic departments (Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Graduate Health Professions, Tourism, Event, and Sport Management) with 80 full-time faculty, 900+ undergraduate majors (BS), and approximately 500+ graduate students pursing degrees in Health Science, Kinesiology, and Nutrition and Dietetics (MS & DND), Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Physical Therapy (DPT), Occupational Therapy (OTD), Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) and Exercise Science (PhD).

About Indiana University Indianapolis:

The IU Indianapolis campus, with over 21,000 students, is located adjacent to downtown Indianapolis. IU Indianapolis is the health and life science campus of Indiana University, the focal point of health profession education in the State of Indiana. IU Indianapolis offers a full range of academic programs and is an academic leader in the life and health sciences. The School of Science and O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indianapolis are on the academic Medical Center Campus, home to the Indiana University School of Medicine, the largest medical school in the US. Both schools have formed key research partnerships with the IU School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, an internationally recognized medical informatics research center. The schools also enjoy collaborations with the Roudebush VA Medical Center, IU Health (one of the largest health care organizations in the Midwest), and the IU Schools of Nursing, Public Health, Public and Environmental Affairs, Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. IU faculty have access to state-of-the art computing resources. IU's Quartz supercomputer, Big Red 200 is among the world's fastest research supercomputers. Owned and operated solely by IU, these high-performance resources are designed to accelerate discovery in a wide variety of fields, including biomedicine, biotechnology, health care, and enable effective analysis of large, complex biomedical data sets (i.e., big data). Overall, IU Indianapolis research contributes significantly to the Indiana State economy, with an estimated $672 million generated in economic activity from NIH-funded projects alone. This growth aligns with the IU 2030 strategic plan, aiming to support Indiana's economic and health needs through expanded research infrastructure and collaboration across IU campuses.

About Indianapolis:

Indianapolis, encompassing a metropolitan population of 1.9 million, is the 14th-largest city in the nation and is the state's capital. This diverse city boasts a high quality of life, low cost of living, and easy commutes. Indianapolis has six thriving Cultural Districts, each offering a distinct mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Named "the biggest and boldest step by any American city" by Project for Public Spaces in New York City, the $63 million Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an internationally acclaimed eight-mile biking and walking trail that connects all six of Indy's Cultural Districts. Indianapolis is one of the country's most walkable cities, with numerous parks, paths, and recreational amenities promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Indianapolis is home to outstanding cultural institutions as well as companies such as Eli Lilly & Co, Roche Diagnostics, Salesforce, and Dow AgroSciences. Indianapolis, often called Indy, is home to the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Indiana Fever (WNBA), and the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) and is widely recognized for hosting the Indianapolis 500, the world's oldest major automobile race which takes place each year on Memorial Day weekend. Indianapolis also regularly hosts major sports events such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four. A recent investment by the State Legislature is making way for a new 4,100-seat athletic complex on the downtown IU Indianapolis campus - immediately adjacent the NCAA headquarters - for IU Indianapolis Jaguar basketball and other sporting events. Finally, Indianapolis is also home to acclaimed performing and visual arts, including the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony, Indianapolis Ballet, and Indianapolis Museum of Art. The Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Children's Museum, and Indianapolis Children's Choir provide fun for kids of all ages.

Traveling to and around Indianapolis is easy, convenient, and affordable. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is approximately 15 minutes from downtown and has been named the best airport in North America by Airports Council International for seven consecutive years. Known as the Crossroads of America, Indy is within a day's drive of over half of the country's population.

To learn more about Indianapolis, see any of the following websites:

IndyParks, over 150 parks in and around the city ( www.indyparks.org )

Local Government & Neighborhoods ( www.indy.gov )

Downtown ( https://www.downtownindy.org/ )

Tourism ( www.visitindy.com )

City Guide ( https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/best-of-indy/2020-city-guide )

Carmel, Indiana, rated the #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. ( www.carmel.in.gov )

Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to Jeanette Jefferson, e-mail address; jajeffer@iu.edu

Candidates are expected to possess a PhD from a field related to the themes described, including but not limited to neuroscience, psychology, exercise science, public health, kinesiology, or physical therapy.

Candidates are expected to have achieved tenure at their current institution.

Candidates are expected to have a record of outstanding research productivity with impact in any of the above-mentioned areas, as well as a demonstrated ability to secure and sustain externally funded research.

Application documents;