Assistant Professor Biomechanics

The Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska Omaha invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position.  This position will support the research performed for the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase II award. The objective in Phase II is to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of our Center for Research in Human Movement Variability. This Center is located within the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development at the Biomechanics Research Building at UNO.  This is a full-time, benefits eligible position with an anticipated start date of Fall 2022. 

The candidate will be expected to develop a research project for the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability within their first year. They are also expected to establish and maintain a world-class extramurally funded research program and productive collaborations with clinical partners at the neighboring medical centers. Other duties include teaching courses, supervising students and research associates, and providing departmental, university, and professional service.

UNO’s Department of Biomechanics is one of the first academic departments dedicated to Biomechanics in the United States offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Department has a strong focus on research, and 60% of its tenure-track and tenured faculty are currently PIs on federal grants, including 5 R01-funded investigators. Since its inception in 2016, the Department has grown to 17 tenure-track and tenured faculty who acquired over $30 million in federal funding. The Department occupies Biomechanics Research Building with 53,000 square feet of shared laboratory space, office, and collaboration space dedicated to translational biomedical research. The building is located within a two-mile radius of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Western Iowa-Nebraska Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. Proximity to these medical centers facilitates exceptional access to collaborating clinicians, patients, and clinical data. Biomechanics faculty enjoy light teaching loads, open access to a wide variety of equipment, and interactions with a diverse body of students from multiple UN campuses.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is fueled by its historical ties to Omaha.  As the first municipal university in Omaha, the early founders’ goal was to make higher education accessible and affordable for the city’s residents. In 1968, the campus joined the University of Nebraska system, and today has the unique role of serving as the state’s metropolitan campus.

Accessibility remains a top priority in UNO’s mission and vision.  Today, the campus is known for its student-centered environment, its community engagement, and its dedication to embracing students from all types of backgrounds.  UNO’s ranking as the 2020 Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Nebraska reflects a commitment to the Maverick values of access, inclusion and diversity that make UNO a welcoming campus community, evidenced by the numerous resources and support services offered by the university.

The campus has built strong partnerships with local business, education, government, arts, and civic organizations in the city. UNO’s commitment to community engagement has landed UNO on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for seven consecutive years—the highest federal recognition a school can receive for civic engagement.

This honor is but one of many points of pride for UNO. In 2019, it was ranked in the top ten public institutions in the nation for military friendliness by Military Times magazine for the fifth consecutive year. Nearly 90 percent of UNO’s 15,500 students are from Nebraska, and roughly 60 percent of recent alumni surveyed report graduating with no debt or less than $5,000 in debt. It is simply one of the most competitively priced institutions in the region. UNO, while large enough to provide students with global opportunities, thrives on its personal and close-knit campus culture, where students come first and partnerships with the community grow every day.  For more information about how UNO embraces its mission, see Growing With and Within Our Thriving Community.

To learn more and apply online, please visit https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/12649 and submit the following application materials:

1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Statements of research and teaching interests.Statement should discuss specific aims for the project you would like to submit as part of the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability
4. Contact information for three references (references will only be contacted for finalists)

Applications must be submitted directly through the UNO website to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or this website will not be reviewed or considered.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by the review date.  Applications received after the review date may be considered.  For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Aaron Likens, Search Committee Chair, alikens@unomaha.edu.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha proudly offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, with flexible options designed to meet the diverse needs of our faculty and staff. To learn more about our options for medical, vision, dental and other insurances, as well as our generous time off policies and retirement options, please visit https://www.unomaha.edu/human-resources/benefits/index.php

The University and College of Health, Education and Human Sciences have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff.  The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.

Required Qualifications:

At the time of hire, candidates should have a Ph.D. in Biomechanics, Motor Control, Perception/Action/Cognition, or a closely related field. Specific areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) experimental work with motion analysis and biorhythms related data, modeling and simulation (as those pertain to human movement/performance), nonlinear dynamics and related analyses, and dynamical systems theory.