Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Exercise Medicine Research

About the Role

Virginia Tech seeks an innovative researcher in exercise medicine for a tenure‑track assistant professor position. The appointment will focus on the impact of exercise and physical activity on health, including exercise immunology related to cancer prevention, cardiometabolic, skeletomuscular, and neurocognitive health. Candidates should address the health effects of regular exercise during childhood development and/or across the adult lifespan, emphasizing cellular, molecular, and organ‑system mechanisms.

The faculty member will join the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) and will be based in the FBRI at the Virginia Tech Health Sciences Campus in Roanoke, Virginia. The new research space is located in a recently opened 139,000‑square‑foot building adjacent to laboratories focused on vascular, heart, cancer, addiction recovery, health behaviors, neurobiology, and human neuroscience research.

Facilities available include multiple research MRIs (human and animal), high‑field MR‑guided PET, MR‑guided focused ultrasound, advanced cellular and molecular imaging platforms (spinning‑disc and laser‑scanning confocal microscopy, block‑face electron microscopy, super‑resolution microscopy), biochemistry and molecular biology cores (mass spectrometry, proteomics), behavioral testing suites, two whole‑room human calorimeters, and a metabolic kitchen for nutrition studies.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a high‑quality, extramurally funded research program focused on mechanistic studies of exercise in human subjects and/or animal models.
• Employ innovative genetic, biochemical, physiological, and computational/data‑analytic approaches to investigate cellular and molecular effects of exercise.
• Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in research activities.
• Teach graduate‑level courses and contribute to curriculum development.
• Collaborate with faculty across the FBRI’s Center for Vascular and Heart Research, Cancer Research, Addiction Recovery Research Center, Center for Health Behaviors Research, Center for Neurobiology Research, and Center for Human Neuroscience Research.
• Utilize institute core facilities, including imaging, omics, and metabolic testing resources, to advance research objectives.
• Participate in departmental, institute, and university service as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in physiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, exercise science, or a closely related field.
• Post‑doctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated record of research productivity and ability to secure extramural funding.
• Strong computational or data‑analysis skills.
• Commitment to mentoring students and contributing to graduate‑level teaching.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed continuously until the position is filled, with initial interviews expected to begin on October 15, 2026. To apply, submit a curriculum vitae, detailed statement of research accomplishments and plans, and a teaching/mentoring philosophy through www.jobs.vt.edu (posting #537596). Applicants should be prepared to provide at least three references and submit letters of support when requested.

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Michael J. Friedlander, Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (friedlan@vtc.vt.edu) or Dr. Zhen Yan, Director, FBRI Center for Exercise Medicine Research (zhenyan1@vtc.vt.edu).

Additional Information

• Appointment type: Regular, exempt (not eligible for overtime).
• Typical workload: 40+ hours per week.
• Salary: Commensurate