The School of Science Department of Psychology and the School of Health and Human Sciences at IU 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:

• Developing, testing, and/or implementing innovative interventions targeting physical activity and/or sedentary behavior to prevent or treat mental illness, substance use, or brain disorders
• Integrating passive monitoring data with the electronic health record to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mental health, substance use, or brain disorders
• Improving approaches to measuring and monitoring physical activity and sedentary behavior, such as actigraphy, mobile tracking technology, passive monitoring, and artificial intelligence applications
• Elucidating mechanisms (e.g., systemic inflammation, gut microbiota, etc.) underlying the impact of physical activity and sedentary behavior on mental health (e.g., substance use, anxiety, depression, mood regulation, stress and coping) and/or brain function (e.g., brain plasticity, synaptic growth, brain network organization and connectivity, cognitive function)
• Using advanced neuroimaging and/or machine learning techniques to understand the connection between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and brain health
• Examining the effects of prolonged sedentary behavior on brain and mental health, particularly in aging populations, and identifying the neurobiological pathways though which these effects impact conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia
• Advancing understanding of the impacts of mental health, substance use, or brain function (e.g., traumatic brain injury, brain aging, depression) on physical activity and/or sedentary behavior
• Studying how disruptions in circadian and behavioral rhythms and interventions addressing such rhythms impact mental health, substance use, or brain function

The candidate will have high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and an NIH R01-funded (or equivalent) research agenda as Principal Investigator (PI). 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.

As a 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 mission of the primary Department/School 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 $243 million in funding from the NIH in 2023.

Basic Qualifications:
Candidates are expected to possess a PhD from a field related to the themes described, including but not limited to neuroscience, exercise science, 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, or a demonstrated ability to develop one, as well as the ability to secure and sustain federally funded research.

The candidate is expected to demonstrate ability to teach effectively in-person, online, or in blended learning courses within their discipline.

Application documents:

• CV
• Letter of application
• Research Agenda
• Descriptions of professional experience and teaching experience
• Contact information of three references

As the state’s premier urban research institution, IU Indianapolis is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive 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, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty.

Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to Jeanette Jefferson at  jajeffer@iu.edu.

Review of applications will begin on or shortly after March 3, 2025. However, applications will be welcomed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

To apply please use following link: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/27786