Open Rank Service Professor for WVU School of Sport Sciences and WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center

The WVU School of Sport Sciences (SoSS) and the WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center (BPC) are partnering to transform how baseball is experienced and played at all levels through the fusion of science, technology, and education, setting a new standard for excellence in collegiate athletics and professional preparation in the sport sciences. This collaborative partnership aims to elevate mental and physical performance while inspiring growth and innovation within the broader baseball community. We are looking for highly qualified individuals who can contribute to this mission.

SoSS and BPC will work together to foster innovation and excellence in both player performance and academic development. A new state-of-the-art 8,200 square-foot facility, featuring cutting-edge technologies like Trackman, will enhance baseball performance through advanced biomechanical analysis and data-driven insights. This collaborative effort will also bridge the gap between practical applications and academic research, providing students in SoSS with unique opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, contribute to scientific inquiry, and integrate the latest advancements in sport science into their coursework and future careers. By leveraging the strengths of both entities, this partnership will drive advancements in performance science, while preparing the next generation of professionals to lead and innovate in the fields of sport, exercise, and health.

Appointment

August 15, 2025. This open-rank service professor position is eligible for promotion and will have an annual 9-month appointment on the Morgantown campus.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have responsibility for managing the WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center, focusing on improving player performance and minimizing injury risk through advanced biomechanical analysis. This position is integral to the performance enhancement of both pitchers and hitters, using contemporary technologies such as motion capture systems, high-speed cameras, and force plates. This role is an academic appointment in the School of Sport Sciences, where the successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and outreach connected to sport biomechanics and related sport sciences.

The candidate will be expected to:

• Lead biomechanical evaluations of pitching and hitting mechanics using advanced tools, analyze data to optimize player performance and reduce injury risk, and collaborate with coaches and staff to design tailored training programs.
• Oversee WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center operations, ensuring equipment functionality, safety protocols, and data management.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and/or graduate-level on campus and/or online courses in kinesiology and sport science related areas.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the curriculum within the School of Sport Sciences, ensuring it reflects the latest advances in research and technology.
• Engage in collaborative high-quality research focused on biomechanics as it pertains to baseball performance, including areas like pitching mechanics, hitting techniques, and injury prevention, while applying the findings to improve the lab's methodologies and support the baseball program's objectives.
• Mentor students in biomechanical analysis through applied labs, field experiences, and internships.

Education:

• A master's degree in biomechanics, kinesiology, sport science, or a closely related field is required.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in baseball biomechanics or sport science, preferably within collegiate, professional, or private lab setting.
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  Consideration of an appointment at the rank of Service Associate Professor, at minimum, requires five years of higher education and/or industry experience.

  
  
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  Consideration of an appointment at the rank of Service Professor, at minimum, requires 10 years of higher education and/or industry experience, at least five of which are in higher education.

  
  
• Proven experience using biomechanical tools (e.g., motion capture, high-speed cameras, force plates and related technologies) for performance analysis and injury prevention.
• Experience working directly with athletes and/or coaches to improve performance and reduce injury risks using biomechanical data.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to apply biomechanical concepts, principles, and applications in a range of educational settings, such as course instruction, team meetings, clinics, and workshops.
• Experience collaborating to conduct academic research in higher education settings or a demonstrated ability to do so effectively.
• Commitment to effectively supporting students, student-athletes, and community partners in advancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities in applied settings.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across units and disciplines.

The above qualifications must be met by the time of appointment.

Review of Applications

Begins April 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Letter of Application/Nomination and Credentials

To apply, candidates must upload a letter of application, resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for four professional references (names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) to WVUHire at https://careers.wvu.edu/. Only complete applications will be considered further.

Direct specific application questions to: Dana K. Voelker, School of Sport Sciences Director, Search Committee Chair, PO BOX 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116, EMAIL: dkvoelker@mail.wvu.edu

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Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.