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Job Description
UT Southwestern Medical Center invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair, Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions. This is a full-time, 12-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Position:
The Chair provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for all aspects of the Department, including academic programming, clinical practice, research, and faculty development. Reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Health Professions, the Chair will lead a high-performing team of faculty and staff and advance the Department's mission of excellence in education, patient care, and scholarly activity. The successful candidate will demonstrate a collaborative leadership style, with the ability to foster innovation, strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships, and support continued growth across academic, clinical, and research enterprises.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership to advance the Department's academic, clinical, and research missions; Oversee and enhance the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, ensuring continued excellence and accreditation compliance; Expand and support clinical practice operations, including specialty services and residency programs; Promote a robust and impactful research portfolio, increasing scholarly productivity and external funding; Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty and staff, fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and professional development; Ensure sound financial stewardship, including budgeting, resource allocation, and long-range planning; Strengthen partnerships across UT Southwestern and affiliated health systems; Represent the Department at institutional, regional, and national levels About the
Department:
The Department of Physical Therapy offers a well-established and nationally respected academic program. The 31-month entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program consistently attracts highly qualified students from across the country. The Department also operates a thriving clinical practice, with recognized areas of specialization in neurology and orthopedics, as well as established residency programs that contribute to advanced clinical training and workforce development. To learn more, please visit: https://shp.utsouthwestern.edu/programs/physical-therapy/
About UT Southwestern:
UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the nation's premier academic health systems, integrating pioneering research, exceptional clinical care, and innovative education. Consistently ranked among the top institutions for rehabilitative care by U.S. News & World Report, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, discovery, and teamwork. Located in the Southwestern Medical District—a 400-acre medical complex just minutes from downtown Dallas—UT Southwestern collaborates with major affiliated health systems, including: UT Southwestern University Hospitals, Parkland Health, Children's Health, Texas Health Resources, VA North Texas Health Care System. UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. To learn more about the benefits offered, visit: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/
Qualification:
Earned doctoral degree (DPT and PhD, EdD); Eligibility for licensure as a Physical Therapist in the State of Texas; Demonstrated record of academic leadership experience in higher education or an academic health center; Established record of scholarly achievement and/or research productivity; Evidence of effective teaching, mentorship, and faculty development; Strong communication, organizational, and fiscal management skills; Clinical experience in physical therapy practice.
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin in July 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit:
Letter of interest; Curriculum vitae; Brief statement of research/scholarly interests; Contact information for three professional references. UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule. To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/ Benefits UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include: PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay Paid Time Off, available day one Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Paid Parental Leave Benefit Wellness programs Tuition Reimbursement Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
