Post-Doct Research Associate-Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies- UTK

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking outstanding applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the field of physical activity and health. This Postdoctoral Research Fellow will assist Dr. Zan Gao with population-based physical activity interventions with emerging technologies such as health wearables and fitness apps in the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory. The perfect candidate should possess an educational background in kinesiology, public health, behavioral science, or health promotion. It's preferable for them to have research exposure in home or community environments, along with proficiency in m-health/e-health, data management, big data analysis, multilevel statistical analyses, machine learning, and a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities might include but are not limited to acting as a research trainee to bolster and refine research skills; engaging in the conceptualization, design, and execution of intricate research projects under the guidance of the lab director; analyzing research data and providing interpretations; and aiding in the creation of research materials for the publication of technical reports, articles, and/or conference talks.

 

Required Qualifications

· A completed doctoral degree in physical activity and health, exercise science, public health, or related fields, and human research experience before the first day of employment.

· Excellent communication, writing, and statistical analyses skills

· Be self-motivated

· Ability to work independently within a collaborative team

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in the areas of health wearable, fitness apps, VR, and machine learning

· A strong record of scholarly publications and presentations

 

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Submission materials should include a cover letter of scientific interests, experiences, and career goals, curriculum vita, a writing sample, and list of two references who can address the applicant’s scholarly capabilities with complete addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

 

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies is home to over 50 faculty and staff members. The department provides over 2,000 undergraduate students an opportunity to major in either kinesiology or recreation and sport management. Approximately 180 Graduate students (MS and PhD programs) can choose to specialize in exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology/motor behavior, physical activity epidemiology, sport management, therapeutic recreation, or socio-cultural studies. In addition to our majors, the department also serves approximately 5,500 students per year in the Physical Education Activity Program.

 

Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory

The mission of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory is to improve the health of Americans through empirical research, increasing public awareness, and policy advocacy on issues in relation to physical activity intervention, physical activity correlates, physical health, and obesity. The laboratory is equipped with a variety of active video games and VR stations, exercise stations, activity monitors, fitness testing and other equipment. Laboratory activities include qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, intervention development and design, evaluation of intervention outcomes and processes, and data analysis. A number of software are housed in the laboratory and used for research, teaching and service.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensatio