Description

Job Description

The University of Alabama at Birmingham invites nominations and applications for a full-time, twelve-month faculty position, with administrative responsibility as the Program Director for the Graduate Certificate in Vision Rehabilitation program, within the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions. This is an opportunity to lead a nationally recognized program at one of the country's premier academic health centers. Faculty rank and tenure status are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The UAB Department of Occupational Therapy seeks a dynamic scholar-practitioner to join a collaborative faculty community committed to teaching, scholarship, program development, and service. Candidates with experience in Vision Rehabilitation (adults and/or pediatric low vision, blindness, neurological impairment) are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will lead and advance the quality, growth, and sustainability of the certificate program.

Primary Responsibilities
For this position, candidates will be required to:

Teaching & curriculum

• Deliver graduate and post-professional courses in vision rehabilitation and other areas of content expertise in both online and in-person formats.
• Develop innovative evidence-based content reflecting best practices to prepare students for safe, effective service delivery.
• Ensure curriculum quality and monitor student progression.
• Continuously update instructional materials to meet evolving program needs.
• Demonstrate competence in neuro-visual conditions (hemianopia, neglect, TBI -related vision changes), including screening, intervention, and referral across acute-to-outpatient settings.
• Collaborate with driver rehabilitation specialists, including functional training, safety, and referral pathways for driving with low vision (including bioptic systems).
• Teach and lead in interprofessional contexts (OD, ophthalmology, rehab disciplines, O&M), including shared curricula and clinical training models.

Student mentoring & advising

• Provide academic advisement, career mentoring, and guidance on capstone and independent scholarly work.
• Empower students nationally and internationally to advance scholarship in low vision and blindness.
• Foster a supportive learning environment that encourages students to develop their professional identities and contribute to the field.
• Engage with traditional and non-traditional learners to ensure equitable access to mentorship and academic support.

Scholarship

• Maintain an active research agenda through peer-reviewed publications, grant development, professional presentations, and approved projects.
• Pursue external funding opportunities and contribute original knowledge to the fields of occupational therapy and vision rehabilitation.
• Sustain a productive scholarly record consistent with department and school expectations.

Service

• Contribute to department, school, university, and professional service
• Support student recruitment and retention.
• Actively engage with professional organizations and communities of practice relevant to vision rehabilitation.
• Build and maintain clinical, interprofessional, and community partnerships; translate opportunities into education through referral pathways, service models, and co-management.
• Build enrollment pipelines through continuing education offerings, partnerships, and thought leadership (webinars, conference programming, alumni engagement, interprofessional outreach).
• Demonstrate commitment to the broader advancement of the profession and university through service.

Program administration

• Lead all aspects of the Vision Rehabilitation Certificate Program, including strategic planning, admissions, marketing, outreach, and outcome assessment.
• Expand program reach by recruiting interdisciplinary professionals and non-traditional students.
• Develop and sustain international vision rehabilitation programming.
• Oversee admissions in collaboration with university offices; manage program resources and ensure timely completion of student-related administrative processes.
• Maintain and grow engagement with a network of 500+ alumni to strengthen the program's professional community and long-term impact.

Required Qualifications

Candidates will have:

• An earned research doctorate (e.g., PhD, DSc, ScD) from an accredited university.
  • Consideration will be given to candidates with a clinical doctorate ( OTD ) or a relevant master's degree with current enrollment in a research doctoral program.
  • Note : only candidates who are occupational therapy practitioners and who hold a doctoral degree may teach occupational therapy content within the department's Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, in line with ACOTE accreditation standards
• A degree in Occupational Therapy from a program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education ( ACOTE ) or by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists ( WFOT )
• Occupational therapy licensure in the state of Alabama or eligibility to secure a license.
• An active research program or demonstrated potential for scholarship, including pursuit of external funding and publications.
• Teaching experience in higher education focused on vision rehabilitation (adult and/or pediatric low vision, blindness, neurological impairment) and its implementation within occupational therapy practice.
• Experience in the development and delivery of online and in-person higher education programs.

The department is seeking candidates with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations of students and experience with a variety of teaching methods and/or curricular perspectives. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service to the excellence of the academic community. The successful candidate should be committed to excellence in teaching and mentoring our diverse student population and to working effectively with faculty, staff and clinical partners across a wide range of disciplines and settings.

About the Department of Occupational Therapy
The Department of Occupational Therapy, part of the UAB School of Health Professions, offers nationally recognized, graduate-level education for both aspiring and licensed occupational therapists. The department's principles, mission, and values drive how they teach, conduct research, and engage with communities, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared and purpose-driven. Learn more: uab.edu/ot
About the School of Health Professions ( SHP )
The School of Health Professions is home to nearly 30 programs and more than 40 offerings at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. As one of the six schools comprising the renowned UAB Academic Health Center, our students are exposed to vast resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and progressive research during their academic and clinical education. Learn more at https://uab.edu/shp.

About UAB
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally recognized research university and academic medical center known for interdisciplinary innovation in education and discovery. With more than $780 million in annual research expenditures and an estimated $12.1 billion annual economic impact on Alabama, UAB is the state's largest employer, with approximately 28,000 employees. UAB was named Forbes' No. 1 Large Employer and continues to be a national leader in research, healthcare, and education.

Required Qualifications

An earned research doctorate (e.g., PhD, DSc, ScD) from an accredited university.

• Consideration will be given to candidates with a clinical doctorate ( OTD ) or a relevant master's degree with current enrollment in a research doctoral program.

Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will have proven leadership abilities to enhance current programs and foster future collaborations throughout the UAB community, nationally and internationally.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
F2878P

Open Date
07/10/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Nondiscrimination Statement

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity institution. The university is committed to providing equal opportunities and access for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status. In accordance with Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. Title IX information: uab.edu/titleix

Special Instructions to Applicants

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.