Assistant Professor

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas invites applications for an endowed, tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science with a joint appointment with the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment.

The candidate will establish an externally funded addiction research program, contribute to teaching and service, and allocate up to 60% effort to research in a 9‑month appointment starting Fall 2027. This role supports scholarly collaboration and impact across KU.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology or closely related discipline is required.
• Demonstrated record of behavioral research and scholarship focused on addiction.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct and sustain a rigorous, externally-funded research program.
• Ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in behavior science.

Responsibilities

• Research: establish and expand an externally funded addiction research program; publish in peer-reviewed journals; seek external funding.
• Teaching: teach courses to undergraduates and graduates; mentor students; participate in graduate committees.
• Service: contribute to department, center, college, university and profession.

Skills

Behavioral research

Addiction research

Externally funded program development

Teaching/Instruction

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology

Job description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) is seeking applications for an endowed, tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science (ABS) with a joint appointment with the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment (CLC) in the Life Span Institute. We are seeking a behavioral scientist who will develop and sustain an externally funded program of research focused on addiction and contribute to the research, teaching, and service missions of the ABS and CLC. Applicants whose research addresses the prevention and/or treatment of substance use and other addictive behaviors are especially encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, tenure-track position to begin Fall 2027. The position is well suited for applicants who seek a tenure-eligible position with substantial effort allocated to their research activities, with up to 60% total cumulative effort designated for research, and the remainder divided among teaching and service. This 9-month position is funded by an Endowed Professorship and offers a competitive salary and generous start up package. The Assistant Professor position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics. UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and it is the candidate’s right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

About the University of Kansas:

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $275 million of externally funded research annually). The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.

About the Department of Applied Behavioral Science:

The Department of Applied Behavioral Science (ABS) has a longstanding national and international reputation for scholarship and training in behavior analysis and behavioral science. The department is distinguished by its commitment to understanding behavior through a natural-science approach and applying behavioral principles to address socially significant problems across individuals, organizations, and communities. Faculty conduct research spanning the basic-to-applied continuum, with strengths in the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, behavioral economics, addiction, health and human services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, organizational and community applications, and the translation of behavioral science into effective practices and systems. ABS has a strong record of research productivity and extramural funding and a longstanding commitment to integrating rigorous research, teaching, and community-engaged scholarship. The department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral training and provides a collaborative environment for faculty to conduct impactful research, mentor students, develop interdisciplinary and community partnerships, and advance the science and application of behavior.

Job Description

About the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment:

The Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment (CLC) was established in 2018 to advance understanding, prevention, and treatment of addiction and related disorders, promote health and improve quality of life, and reduce stigma. The CLC brings together scientists, practitioners, policy makers, and students across diverse disciplines from the KU Lawrence campus, KU Medical Center, and community partners, with the purpose of supporting collaborative research and community-academic partnerships that leverage the expertise of center members and partners. The CLC offers significant material support to affiliated investigators, including robust pre- and post-award grant support services and statistical design and consulting.

About Lawrence, KS:

KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community - a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, a wide variety of local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Home to over 95,000 people, Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theater venues, and professional sports teams.

Culture and Community:

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Duties

Research (40%)

• Conduct research in an area of expertise related to addiction prevention and intervention that complements current strengths in the department.
• Maintain an active research program that continues to grow in depth, breadth, and importance.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals, present findings at professional conferences, and pursue and maintain external funding.

Teaching (40%)

• Teach 2 courses per academic year in the ABS Department.
• Mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students in research.
• Serve on graduate student committees that supervise and evaluate progress toward degree completion.

Service (20%)

• Provide general service to the ABS Department, Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, the College, the University, and to the academic profession.

Faculty Code

Faculty members are expected to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, currently viewable at: http://policy.ku.edu/FacultyCodeKULawrence/faculty-code-of-rights

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Psychology, Behavioral Science, or closely related discipline.
• Record of behavioral research and scholarship focused on addiction.
• Demonstrated capacity or potential to conduct and sustain a rigorous, externally-funded research program.
• Demonstrated knowledge, and expertise sufficient to contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in the principles and processes of behavior and the conceptual and theoretical foundations of behavior science, consistent with the curricular needs of the Department of Applied Behavioral Science’s accredited programs.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Advertised Salary Range

Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Start Date

Wednesday August 18, 2027