Assistant Professor - Environmental Physiology

Date Posted: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/16/2026, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 50481
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Kinesiology & Physl Ed.
Department: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in Environmental Physiology. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

We seek an emerging scholar whose research program focuses on understanding human physiological responses and adaptations during acute and/or chronic exposure to thermal stressors. Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Human thermoregulatory physiology
• Environmental and occupational physiology
• Heat stress, strain, and adaptation
• Cold exposure and adaptation
• Exercise and environmental physiology
• Human performance, safety, and resilience in harsh thermal environments
• Translational research relevant to athletic, industrial, military, clinical, or community settings.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply. Recognizing that there are a variety of terms that potential candidates may use to self-identify, the University uses the term “Indigenous” in this search, which forms part of the U of T Response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to encompass the people of Turtle Island, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuk (Inuit), Alaska Native, Native American, and Native Hawaiian people.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have earned a PhD degree in human environmental exercise physiology, ergonomics, rehabilitation sciences, or a closely related discipline, with a focus on research about body temperature regulation in thermal extremes by the date of appointment, or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching in human environmental exercise physiology, ergonomics, rehabilitation sciences. Post-doctoral training is highly desirable, as is experience in predictive modelling of human thermoregulatory responses.

We seek exceptional candidates whose research and teaching interests would complement our existing strengths (for KPE Faculty Members/Research Areas, please see https://kpe.utoronto.ca/faculty) and expand upon existing collaborations with colleagues in the Faculty, the University and related research community. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of these criteria, as they relate to each candidate’s area of inquiry.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated through a record of publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals or forthcoming publications that meet high international standards; the submitted research statement; presentations at significant conferences; awards and accolades; and strong endorsements from referees.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier (including the required materials outlined below, as well as evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities), and strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.

In addition, the successful candidate will be assigned a teaching and service load.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range is $130,000 - $140,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

ABOUT US

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s largest and most research-intensive university, and the only Canadian university to be repeatedly among the top 25 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world’s most diverse cities with a vibrant Indigenous community, the University of Toronto’s vibrant academic life is defined by the intellectual and cultural diversity in its community.

The appointment is at the University of Toronto, St. George campus, which is a research-intensive institution with an interdisciplinary commitment, a multicultural student body, and a modern campus. The University offers the opportunity to conduct research, teach, and live in one of the most diverse cities of the world.

The Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) at the University of Toronto has made major contributions to its mission of developing, advancing and disseminating knowledge about physical activity and health and its interactions through, education, research, leadership and the provision of opportunity. With a culturally diverse student body of more than 1000 undergraduate students and 140 graduate students, as well as 35 faculty members from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, ours is an intellectually rich and supportive community, guided by the highest standards of scholarship with a commitment to equity and social justice. The successful candidate will join an internationally recognized faculty whose commitments to equity and access are reflected in our research, education, policy and practice. In keeping with this commitment, particular attention will be given to candidates from under-represented groups.

For more information on working at the University of Toronto, please visit https://www.utoronto.ca/research-innovation/working-at-uoft.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by December 16th, 2026.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. Applicants must submit the following materials:

• a cover letter;
• a current curriculum vitae;
• a research statement outlining current and future research interests;
• a recent writing sample;
• a teaching dossier, including
  • a teaching statement,
  • sample course materials, and
  • teaching evaluations or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above; and
• the name and contact information of three references.

The selection process will be based on scholarship, interviews, research seminar, and meetings with faculty and students.

The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours of an application being submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. Submission guidelines and details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact Professor Gretchen Kerr at [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Indigenous Substantiation
The University of Toronto has implemented a process to substantiate Indigenous Membership/Citizenship/Enrolment for those candidates who identify as Indigenous. For more information regarding the University's Indigenous Substantiation Process, please refer to: Indigenous Substantiation Website.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].