Phd In Rehabilitation Science Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity
The School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences (SKRS) in the College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning assistant professor. This position is located at the UCF main campus with an expected start date in August 2027. The ideal candidate will have expertise in exercise physiology and rehabilitation science. We seek an innovative and collaborative scientist whose interdisciplinary and translational research advances human health, mobility, and performance.
As one of the nation's largest public research universities and Florida's designated Space University, UCF provides a strong environment for research addressing complex challenges at the intersection of exercise physiology, rehabilitation science, aging, aerospace health, and precision medicine. The successful candidate will join the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science (IEPRS), which supports collaborative research to improve human function across the lifespan and translate scientific findings into clinical and community applications.
UCF's growing aerospace health network includes the College of Medicine's Microgravity & Aerospace Medicine Research Workgroup, which brings together investigators from medicine, engineering, psychology, kinesiology, and the space sector. This network provides distinctive opportunities to study human health and performance in extreme environments and apply space medicine findings to health challenges on Earth.
The successful candidate will establish an externally funded research program that aligns with the School's strategic priorities and advances methods to assess, optimize, or restore human function. Applicants with expertise in exercise physiology, rehabilitation science, healthy aging, neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiometabolic rehabilitation, wearable and digital health technologies, aerospace health and human performance, biomechanics, neuromuscular physiology, movement science, or related fields are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue competitive federal funding and develop partnerships with industry and health care organizations that support research translation and implementation.
SKRS supports a highly collaborative research culture. IEPRS faculty regularly collaborate with nationally recognized programs in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy and with colleagues in the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Florida Space Institute. Faculty also work with regional health care systems, including AdventHealth, OrlandoHealth, as well as industry partners and community organizations. These relationships provide access to interdisciplinary expertise and clinical and community research settings. Established partnerships with the LIFE Institute and Legacy Pointe offer additional opportunities for community-engaged and translational research focused on healthy aging, mobility, and functional independence.
IEPRS provides several thousand square feet of dedicated research space and advanced infrastructure for research in neuromuscular physiology, human performance, exercise physiology, biomechanics, cardiovascular physiology, rehabilitation science, and wearable and digital health technologies. These resources, together with graduate student support, clinical partnerships, and collaborative research networks, provide a strong foundation for developing a productive and externally funded research program.
Responsibilities include establishing and sustaining an active research program; securing external funding; mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate's area of expertise; and providing service to the school, college, university, and profession.
Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, rehabilitation science, integrative physiology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, movement science, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution at the time of application.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and grant activity (e.g., applying for external funding).
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience as a faculty member or postdoctoral researcher, or a combination of these roles, with evidence of success conducting independent or collaborative research in exercise physiology, rehabilitation science, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated success in securing, or strong potential to secure, competitive federal or industry funding.
• A research agenda aligned with one or more of the School's strategic research priorities:
  
  • Healthy aging, mobility, and functional independence.
  • Neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiometabolic rehabilitation.
  • Aerospace health and human performance.
  • Emerging health technologies, including wearable sensing, digital health, artificial intelligence, and remote monitoring.
  • Exercise physiology and precision exercise interventions.
  • Human performance, neuromuscular physiology, biomechanics, or movement science.
• Experience conducting interdisciplinary and translational research with academic, clinical, industry, or community partners.

Additional Application Materials Required:
UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.
• A letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, such as research agenda and teaching experience/interest.
• A 2-page research statement

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.
Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Ethan Hill at ethan.hill@ucf.edu.
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
On March 10, 2026, UCF received clarification that the current State moratorium on H-1B visas applies not only to new sponsorships but also to H-1B transfers into the institution. This means we are unable to process transfers for individuals currently holding H-1B status with other employers. UCF will share updates as soon as State guidance changes or additional details become available.
Job Close Date:
Open until filled.
For full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications received after this date will be considered until the search is concluded.
Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as 'Open until filled' may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.
• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.
The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.
Department
College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) - Kinesiology & Physical Therapy
Work Schedule
Varies.
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
Negotiable
The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.
For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.