Open Rank - Academic Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

This is a 12-month, full-time (1.0 FTE) non-tenured faculty position and will remain open until it is filled. The school is seeking a dynamic individual with a history of teaching experience.

The applicant is expected to have expertise in one or more of the following areas: anatomy, exercise physiology, interprofessional education, pediatrics, and/or neuroscience and neurological patient care.

The focus of this position is to address the school’s educational mission; However, the candidate will also have a research and service workload.

Faculty rank and salary are highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications.

The School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPT&RS) is proud to house three academic programs: the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, a Master of Science in Athletic Training, and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Rehabilitation Science, offered in collaboration with the College of Public Health.

Our mission is to “Move Lives Forward” by educating students in a supportive academic, research, and clinical environment that embraces innovation, discovery, knowledge, expertise, leadership, collaboration, and partnerships.

Our faculty includes athletic trainers, physical therapists, and exercise physiologists who serve as educators, researchers, clinicians, and leaders in their respective professions. We are also fortunate to have a committed team of staff who support admissions, clinical education, finances, operations, student affairs, research, and more. Our small but mighty community makes SPT&RS a welcoming and dynamic place to learn, grow, and connect

USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). This membership will provide new funding opportunities for USF research.

Additionally, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University. USF is one of the nation’s top public research universities and one of only 56 public research university campuses classified as both a Doctoral University with “Highest Research Activity” and as a “Community Engaged” institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The Morsani College of Medicine includes the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Physician Assistant Program, and Medical Education and Graduate Education Programs.

The school includes the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, and Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, and the USF Professional Athletic Training Program.

The DPT professional program enrolls approximately 50 students per class each year and is ranked in the top 50 programs per the US News and World Report.

The USF Athletic Training Program was the first graduate professional AT program to be housed in a College of Medicine and currently has one of the largest student populations in the country. The school has a robust research mission that includes securing extramural funding.

The school also provides clinical services at the USF Physical Therapy Center in collaboration with other healthcare specialties.

Numerous area hospitals and healthcare practices (including Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley VA Hospital, Lakeland Regional Health, Moffitt Cancer Center, Advent Health, HCA Healthcare, etc.) offer clinical, educational, and research affiliations.

School Details

• 150 DPT students, ~45 Athletic Training students

• 4 AT Program Faculty, 15 DPT Program Faculty with diverse areas of expertise

• Federally funded researchers producing over 60 scholarly works annually

• 6000 square feet of state-of-the-art Human Functional Performance Lab space

• USF Health Physical Therapy Center and the UPC Building

• Orthopaedic Residency Program (Traditional and Accelerated)

Responsibilities

• Primary role is teaching in the DPT program.

• Pursuit of research/scholarship.

• Service on School, College, and institutional governance committees, as well as in public/professional organizations.

• Responsible for teaching, research, service, and related administrative activities. Responsible for academic advising and related activities. May represent the university, college/school, or department/unit on university and/or Statewide committees.

Qualifications

• Must be a physical therapist who holds a current license to practice as a PT in any United States jurisdiction and is eligible for licensure in Florida

• Entry-level degree in Physical Therapy (BS, MS, or DPT)

• Doctoral Degree (e. g., DPT with specialty certification, PhD, EdD, DSc, etc.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a physical therapist and/or educator.

• Strong interest in entry-level DPT education

• Contemporary expertise in the specific content of the assigned teaching area

• APTA membership.

• An area of scholarly interest.

• Must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor.

• For appointment as Associate Professor: minimum 5 years of full-time appointed academic experience at the rank of Assistant Professor. Normally will have produced creative work, professional writing, or research in referred and other professional journals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior academic teaching experience

• Experience in clinical practice and/or teaching in one or more of the following areas: pediatric physical therapy, neuroscience and neurological patient care and/or interprofessional education

• PhD degree, or equivalent

• ABPTS Board Certification or equivalent

• History of scholarly activity and dissemination

Tampa and the Tampa Bay area enjoy an average temperature of 73 degrees and hold the record for the most consecutive days of sunshine, which makes Tampa a beautiful place to live, work, and play. From canoeing the scenic Hillsborough River to biking or jogging alongside the Bay, Tampa has something for everyone.

• Enjoy ample access to world-class beaches, golf, fishing, and water sports

• Enjoy cultural amenities from film & music festivals to excellent museums

• Enjoy a wide range of professional and collegiate sports, including professional baseball, football, soccer, and hockey

• Enjoy easy access to some of the best-known theme parks in the nation, including Busch Gardens in Tampa and Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

• Enjoy a vibrant culinary scene, with a wide range of dining options for every palate.

The Tampa Bay area enjoys easy access to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, which has miles of some of the best white-sand beaches in the nation. Clearwater Beach and both Ft. DeSoto and Caladesi Island state parks have been “Top Beach in America” winners.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold.

Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities.

Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St.

Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S.

News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide.

USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future.

The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South 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.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South 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 affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.