Professor and Department Head Position of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago

[Lindsay Hannigan]

The University of Illinois at Chicago is currently accepting applications for a Department Head and Professor position in the Department of Physical Therapy. UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Position Summary
The Head of the Department of Physical Therapy provides academic leadership and direction for the Department and has ultimate responsibility for overseeing the Department, including establishing departmental mission, goals, policies, and procedures, and managing all aspects of departmental operations. The Department Head is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations from accrediting agencies, the University, the UIC Campus, and the College of Applied Sciences. The Department Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Resource Management
  • Reports on the teaching and research outputs of the Department
  • Prepares the departmental budget and is responsible for the distribution and expenditure of departmental funds.
• Policy
  • Execution of University and college policies insofar as they affect the Department
  • Formulation and execution of departmental policies and procedures
• Staff Management
  • Plan, assign and review work of staff to ensure that departmental objectives are met.
  • Hire, train, develop and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.
  • General supervision and quality control of the teaching and post-graduate programs
  • Presides at meetings of the departmental faculty.
  • Implements Annual Performance Reviews of faculty and staff
  • Workload assignment and organization, for the quality and efficient progress of that work
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science or related field
• Full Professor status or eligible for Full Professor at UIC.
• Strong record of scholarly productivity, excellence at an academic institution
• Evidence of national and international distinction in scholarship contributing to the advancement of physical therapy theory, research and practice.
• Proven record of exceptional achievement and scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, extramural grant funding, and national and international recognition.
• Scholarly agenda that can strengthen existing areas of research in the department.
• Proven record of academic leadership that contributes to advancing the educational excellence and research missions of the department, the college and the campus community.
• Proven academic leadership that advances educational excellence through strategic vision and collaborative innovation.
• Actively involved in the profession of Physical Therapy.
• Commitment and ability to foster and sustain a strong, meaningful relationships with campus and community partners to support student success and institutional growth.
• Strong understanding of contributions of clinical and academic faculty.
• Awareness and understanding of contemporary clinical practice in the profession.
• Experienced mentor and committed to career development of faculty.
• Excellent communication and mediation skills.
• Collaborative style of management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience navigating complex environment and landscape- university, state/Health Care environment.
• Knowledge of clinical operations.
• Eligible for license as Physical Therapist in the State of Illinois

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of application, and contact information for three references. Questions regarding the position can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Professor Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, ysuarez@uic.edu.

Please apply here: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersi...312?c=uic&cfdd[0][id]=192&cfdd[0][options][0]=1161&city=chicago

Applications should be submitted by August 10, 2026.