Assistant Professor - Rural Mental Health & Substance Use

National Council on Family Relations; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive work environment

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks a full-time Assistant Professor to focus on rural mental health and substance use. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. and demonstrate research and teaching excellence. This role offers the opportunity to work with the RDAR Center and contribute to innovative research and high-quality teaching in human development and family studies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in relevant field by the time of appointment.
• Strong potential for external funding in related areas.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive excellence.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on rural mental health and substance use.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in relevant programs.
• Collaborate with the RDAR Center on research initiatives.

Skills

Research collaboration

Grant writing

Teaching excellence

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science or related field

Job description

Overview

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies (CYAF) is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track (9-month appointment) Assistant Professor with a focus in the areas of rural mental health and/or substance use to begin August 2026.

The successful candidate will bring expertise in research and teaching that will contribute to the national and international reputation of our programs, department, and university. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with the Rural Drug Addiction Research (RDAR) Center (https://rdar.unl.edu/), an NIH-funded Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), to engage in cutting-edge research that builds on the strengths of the RDAR Center. The faculty member will be well positioned to leverage RDAR Center data to better understand the causes and consequences of substance use and related outcomes, and to inform prevention and intervention approaches.

The candidate’s teaching and research will complement existing departmental focus areas (e.g., early childhood education, child development, adolescent and young adulthood, trauma, and health disparities across the life course). The successful candidate will conduct innovative research and provide high-quality teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Human Development and Family Studies and Global Family Health and Well-Being programs in the CYAF department.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science/Studies or a related social science field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology) by the time of appointment. The position emphasizes rural mental health and/or substance use, broadly defined. Applicants whose research addresses related factors, such as behavioral health disparities, access to care, community well-being, prevention, or intervention in rural contexts are encouraged to apply. Candidates should clearly explain how their research contributes to the broader field of rural mental health and/or substance use. Successful candidates will demonstrate clear evidence of, or the potential for, securing external funding in areas related to rural mental health, substance use, or closely connected topics.

Responsibilities

Note: Responsibilities are described within the Qualifications and the overview above.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Human Development and Family Science/Studies or in a related social science field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology) by the time of appointment.
• A program of research that clearly aligns with the theme of mental health and/or substance use specifically within rural contexts.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, developing a robust and sustained program of research that will, in time, achieve national recognition (e.g., publications, grants, leadership in the field).
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, acquiring external grant funding.
• Demonstrated commitment and interest in research collaborations within and across disciplines.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, teaching excellence.
• Demonstrated commitment to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive excellence across teaching, research, and service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• For candidates whose previous research has focused primarily on rural mental health, an interest in extending their research program to include substance use is preferred.

Organization Summary

The Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies (https://cehs.unl.edu/cyaf/home/) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to enhancing the well-being of children, youth, adults and families in the state, nation and world by improving the environments in which they live and learn.

The department serves approximately 360 undergraduate majors, 76 master's students, and 30 doctoral students. The department includes 33 full-time faculty members, 3 administrative staff, and 8 adjunct faculty who contribute to the teaching, research, and Extension success of CYAF programs and students. The department offers degree options and specializations at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including doctoral specializations in Early Childhood/Child Development and Global Family Health and Wellbeing. The department houses the Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory, offering opportunities for observational and experiential learning for students, and the Couple and Family Clinic, which supports clinical training and community engagement.

The College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) strives to be a vibrant, welcoming, and caring community driven by our mission to enhance the lives of individuals, families, schools, and communities, and strengthening the relationships among them.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer, known for our welcoming and supportive work environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace, it\'s a place to build your career and make a real impact in Nebraska.

Lincoln, Nebraska, is a vibrant and welcoming city of over 300,000 people that blends the cultural richness of a Big Ten university community with the affordability and ease of Midwestern living.

Job Overview

Job Type: Full-time

Location: https://jobs.nebraska.edu/UniversityNebraskaSystem/job/Assistant-Profes…

Application Process:

1. Click "Apply Now" and login or create an applicant profile. Upload the following required documents:
2. Letter of application with brief narrative (maximum of 3 single-spaced pages) addressing the qualifications for the position and a description of your preliminary ideas for collaborating with the RDAR Center.
3. Curriculum vitae.
4. Research statement outlining goals and future directions of your program of research (maximum 2 single-spaced pages).
5. Teaching statement describing your teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (maximum 2 single-spaced pages).
6. Contact information (name, phone number, email address) for three professional references.

The statements and references can be added in "Additional Attachments." For additional questions please contact Search Committee Chair: Dr. Alex Mason, email: [e-mail] , phone: [phone].

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/.

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact: Dr. Alex Mason, Search Committee Chair, [e-mail]

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed Dec. 8, 2025; open until filled.

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