Post-Doct Research Associate

Post-Doctoral Position in Sport Studies

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

The University of Tennessee

• Preventing sexual abuse in youth sports: A socio-ecological approach to implementation

In recent years, cases of systematic sexual abuse in youth sport in the United States have repeatedly made headlines. Examples include, Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky, abusing at least 10 boys over a 15-year period (CNN Editorial Research, 2020); Larry Nassar, USA gymnastics and Michigan State University (MSU) team doctor who abused over 300 women and girls for more than 20 years (Eggert & White, 2018); Richard Strauss, the Ohio State University (OSU) team doctor who abused 177 male students during an 18-year period (Perret, 2020); and Greg Stephens, a youth basketball coach in Iowa who exploited over 400 boys over several years (Spoerre, 2019). A recent lawsuit in Knoxville, TN involving a local gym (Kellar & Amari, 2022) illustrates that sexual abuse is not limited to large-scale sport organizations. Clearly, more needs to be done to design, implement, and evaluate programs aimed at preventing sexual abuse in youth sports.

Project’s Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to develop a socio-ecological framework to prevent sexual abuse in youth sports, apply it in settings that provide youth sport (e.g., clubs, gyms), and assess outcomes of the multi-level approach (e.g., micro-, meso-, exo-, and macro-levels). This project will build on and expand previous work (e.g., Brackenridge, 2001; Bronfenbrenner, 1977; Fisher & Dzikus, 2010; Nery et al., 2010; Stirling and Kerr, 2014) with an emphasis on implementation and cooperation with community partners.

Project Leaders: The project is led by Dr. Lars Dzikus, supported by Dr. Adam Love.

Position: We seek a postdoctoral fellow to further the research and development work of the project. This position will provide opportunities for a junior researcher to contribute to the project’s goals while developing a range of research skills. Specifically, the fellow will support all phases of the research and publishing process (e.g., literature reviews, data collection, analysis, writing).

This position is a full-time appointment up to 12-months duration. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, we strive to provide eligible employees with a comprehensive suite of benefits. For complete information about insurance, retirement, and other available benefits, visit the UT System HR Benefits website. This position is for one year, contingent upon mutual agreement and satisfactory performance after six months. An extension for a second year is possible, upon mutual agreement.

Finalists for this position may be asked to provide information about investigations and findings related to sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, sexual assaults, dating/domestic violence, and stalking during their current or immediately previous employment (if not currently employed).

Qualifications:

Required

• Earned doctorate degree, or able to obtain before Fall 2023, in sport studies or related area
• At least two years of research experience resulting in presentations and publications
• Demonstrated strong quantitative and qualitative research skills as well as the ability to analyze and transcribe data
• Knowledge of the scholarship in sport studies related to violence, sexual abuse, power, and gender
• Potential to obtain external funding
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written communications. Outstanding computer skills including ability to use ZOOM, Google docs, Qualtrics
• Valid driver’s license and be available to travel for data collection and program assessment

Desired

• Experience with community-engaged scholarship and strong organizational skills to coordinate data collection, planning, and communications with partners
• Knowledge of socio-ecological approach
• Experience in program assessment
• Grant writing experience

College : The project is based in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, a leading educational research institution, located in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee (UT) consists of five campuses across the State of Tennessee. UT, Knoxville is the flagship university in the system with more than 300 degree programs, and is designated as a Carnegie Foundation Research University-Extensive. The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is a multidisciplinary unit with 90+ tenured/tenure-track faculty members, housed in eight departments. TPTE, the College’s largest department, offers programs of study that lead to initial teacher licensure in many areas as well as advanced programs leading to several teaching endorsements including gifted education and the reading specialist. Beyond the licensure programs, graduate education programs prepare master’s students, educational specialists, and doctoral students for careers in research, teaching, and leadership.

The Application review will begin January 1, 2023 and the position start date is August 1, 2023.

Applicants should send a detailed CV, a cover letter explaining interest and expertise related to the project, as well as the names and contact information of three references. Please direct all inquiries and applications to Dr. Lars Dzikus, lars@utk.edu

The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.