Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama's Department of Human Development and Family Studies invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The successful candidate will develop an active research program, teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentor students while engaging in service at multiple levels.

Applicants should have a doctorate in HDFS or related field, a strong research record, and demonstrated teaching experience with excellent communication and collaboration

Qualifications

• PhD in Human Development and Family Studies or related field.
• Strong research record with peer‑reviewed publications and external funding potential.
• Experience teaching in higher education; advising graduate and undergraduate students.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop a robust scholarly research program with external funding.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; supervise theses/dissertations as appropriate.
• Engage in professional service at campus, community, state, and national levels.

Skills

Teaching experience

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Research program development

Education

Doctorate in HDFS/related field

Job description

Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences at The University of Alabama, seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies. Areas of particular interest include addiction science, broadly defined (e.g., risk/protective factors, prevention, treatment, recovery); child life; and developmental and family processes across adulthood. However, the department welcomes applications from scholars with expertise across the broad field of HDFS. We place priority on the selection of an applicant with an active research agenda as demonstrated by a strong record of peer-reviewed research publications and strong potential for externally funded research. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust scholarly research program with external support; teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses; advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and engage in professional service at the campus, community, state, and/or national level.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies, Developmental Science, Psychology, or a related field;
2. Evidence of scholarly work, including a strong research record, professional publications/presentations and/or participation in grant submissions or success at grant funding;
3. Teaching experience in higher education;
4. Strong interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication skills.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the application deadline: November 1, 2026.

Applicants with questions should contact Dr. Sherwood Burns-Nader at [e-mail].

Expected start date of appointment is August 16, 2027.

About the College

At the College of Human Environmental Sciences, we empower students to bring about positive change in the world. Our faculty conduct advanced research, provide outreach and prepare a new generation of professionals with a shared goal of improving lives.
CHES brings together a wide range of disciplines which focus on the interaction between individuals, families and the environment. Five distinct departments cover a multitude of human science programs that help individuals across the lifespan improve their mental, physical and financial well-being. We touch people's lives in the home, at school, in the workplace, at the dinner table, and in a myriad of other arenas.

About the University

The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure's 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation's premier universities, UA offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.
In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Education Opportunity Institution.