University of Nebraska at Omaha

Job Summary:

The School of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant professor in Athletic Training with an anticipated start date in August 2026. This individual will teach in the CAATE-accredited professional Athletic Training Program and Kinesiology courses in the School of Health and Kinesiology as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director. Commensurate with a tenure track position, individuals will also have a defined research agenda with expectations of seeking external funding to support their research endeavors. The duties and responsibilities include service to the school, college, university, metropolitan community, and/or profession.

The ideal candidate will have the experience and ability to teach a variety of courses in the Athletic Training and Kinesiology curriculums and provide mentorship to graduate students. Courses will be decided based on the applicant’s strengths and the needs of the School of Health and Kinesiology.  Service commensurate with academic rank will be expected.

Responsibilities for this position include teaching courses in the professional athletic training program along with other courses in the undergraduate and graduate Kinesiology programs as assigned; mentoring and supervising graduate students; establishing and maintaining a productive research agenda; and providing service to the school, college, university, metropolitan community, and/or profession.  

About Us:

In the Spring of 2025, the School of Health and Kinesiology opened the Health Science Collaborative, a new 30,000 square foot laboratory facility.  This facility supports UNO’s growing research across the breadth of kinesiology, including but not limited to exercise biology/biochemistry (wet lab), applied physiology, cardiovascular/pulmonary physiology, environmental human physiology, motor control and neurophysiology, developmental motor function, physical activity, disability related research, as well as sports medicine and sports science. There is a high potential for collaborative research with current faculty from the School of Health and Kinesiology, the Department of Biomechanics, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, among others.

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. 

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. 

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 of Nebraska at Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination against employees and prospective employees 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. The University of Nebraska at Omaha does not condone or tolerate discrimination. In support of this policy, the University has implemented employment programs to recruit, employ, and promote qualified individuals based solely on their knowledge, skills, abilities and talents. These factors, along with our commitment to recruit, assess and select all candidates/employees using job-related criteria, ensure fairness, equal evaluation, and treatment in our selection decisions and processes.

Required Qualifications:

The candidate should possess the following qualifications prior to the position start date: 
•    Earned terminal doctoral degree in athletic training, kinesiology, biomechanics, or related field. ABD may be considered.
•    BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
•    Current Nebraska Licensed Athletic Trainer (or eligible)
•    NPI Number
•    Clear evidence of independent clinical experience as an athletic trainer. 
•    Clear evidence of teaching experience and a well-defined research agenda. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience as a preceptor or other student mentorship, Contemporary Expertise as defined by the CAATE as “Knowledge and training of current concepts and best practices in routine areas of athletic training”: prevention and wellness, urgent and emergent care, primary care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, pediatrics, and performance enhancement.

Additional Information:

Submit the following application materials:
1.    Cover letter
2.    CV
3.    Statements of research and teaching interests.  
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 January 30, 2026 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. Sam Wilkins, Athletic Training Program Director, at sjwilkins@unomaha.edu