Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Lenoir-Rhyne University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Supportive, student-centered environment

Job summary

Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy position. This nine-month role involves teaching graduate-level courses, coordinating fieldwork, and engaging in curriculum development. Candidates must have a terminal degree in Occupational Therapy and be a board-certified occupational therapist. The university offers competitive compensation and expects faculty to maintain a regular on-campus presence.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Board-certified occupational therapist in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to teach graduate courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate-level courses in the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program.
• Coordinate Level I Fieldwork in collaboration with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
• Assist with curriculum development aligned with ACOTE professional standards.

Skills

Teaching graduate-level courses

Occupational therapy expertise

Curriculum development

Student-centered learning

Education

Terminal degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Faculty Position: Full-time, nine-month, non-tenure track position

Position Summary

The College of Health Sciences at Lenoir‑Rhyne University invites applications for a full-time, tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy or a non‑tenure‑track teaching assistant professor of occupational therapy, as determined by the provost based on qualifications per the Lenoir‑Rhyne Faculty Handbook, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. This nine‑month position supports the University’s Master of Science in occupational therapy program.

This role is based in the College of Health Sciences and requires regular on‑campus engagement at the Hickory, North Carolina campus to support student learning, collaboration, and program needs.

Faculty at Lenoir‑Rhyne University typically carry a 24‑credit annual teaching load. Opportunities for reassigned time may be available based on programmatic needs and administrative responsibilities. For this position, up to 6 credit hours of reassigned time may be provided to serve as the Level I Fieldwork Coordinator, working in collaboration with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach graduate‑level courses and labs in the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program.
• Coordinate Level I Fieldwork, collaborating with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
• Assist with curriculum development, program assessment, and continuous improvement aligned with professional standards set by ACOTE.
• Maintain regular in‑person office hours on the Hickory campus.
• Contribute to program, college, and university service.
• Collaborate with LR’s Graduate Admissions Office to support student recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
• Engage in scholarly and professional activities consistent with faculty expectations.

All position requirements outlined above reflect the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the role competently. This description is not intended to be exhaustive. Faculty may be assigned additional responsibilities and are expected to acquire new skills as needed. Lenoir‑Rhyne University reserves the right to modify position responsibilities as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Board‑certified occupational therapist in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to teach graduate courses.
• Ability to maintain regular on‑campus presence at the Hickory campus.
• Commitment to maintaining regular office hours and fulfilling service responsibilities on site.
• For fall 2026 hire eligibility, official confirmation of successful dissertation defense must be submitted by July 31, 2026 (if ABD).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching occupational therapy courses at the university level.
• Clinical experience providing occupational therapy services in educational, clinical, or community settings.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional engagement in the field of occupational therapy.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive, student‑centered learning environment.

Compensation: Lenoir‑Rhyne University offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary transparency is a priority; detailed information will be provided to candidates during the interview process.

Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law. Lenoir‑Rhyne University is also committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.