Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship (Full Professor), School of Labor and Employment Relations

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for the Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship in the School of Labor and Employment Relations.

This 100% full-time tenured faculty position emphasizes research excellence and teaching in HR and industrial relations, with preference for scholars engaged with workers and unions and an established international reputation. Applicants should hold a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in an appropriate social science discipline or an equivalent professional degree (e.g., JD).
• A track record of research excellence in top refereed journals and teaching commensurate with Full Professor rank.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original, high-quality scholarly research for publication in leading journals.
• Develop and teach courses each semester in face-to-face or online formats.
• Mentor and supervise Ph.D. students.
• Provide service to the School, University, and the profession as needed.

Skills

Research excellence

Publication record

Education

Ph.D. in social science or JD

Job description

School of Labor and Employment Relations

Job Summary

We invite applications for the Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship. This is a named professorship at the Full Professor (with tenure) level, within the Graduate Faculty. We also encourage applications from senior associate professors who are approaching promotion to full professor. We are interested in outstanding scholars who have expertise and academic abilities within the fields of U.S. and/or international labor relations. Candidates should have outstanding scholarly reputations through extensive publication at the highest level of research quality, with a distinguished record of research excellence in industrial relations, including a strong record of publication in leading refereed journals (e.g., British Journal of Industrial Relations, ILR Review, and Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society) and an established national and international reputation in the field. Preference will be given to candidates who have engaged workers and workers’ organizations through scholarship, teaching, and service, as well as those who have a body of work on workers in union settings. This is a full‑time tenured position that combines research with teaching in the School’s academic programs in human resources and industrial relations. LER is a dynamic, multidisciplinary unit with a faculty united by a shared commitment to cutting‑edge research on workforce issues. For more information, please see our website at http://www.ler.illinois.edu/.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Conducting original, high quality scholarly research for publication in leading academic journals;
• Developing and teaching courses each semester in face‑to‑face or online formats, depending on the School’s instructional needs, in the School’s academic programs;
• Mentoring and supervising Ph.D. students, and
• Providing service to the School, the University, and the profession, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate social science discipline or equivalent degree in a professional area of study (e.g., JD), and a record of research excellence in top refereed journals and teaching record commensurate with the rank of Full Professor. Advanced Associate Professors with these qualifications who are approaching promotion to Full Professor will also be considered.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full‑time Academic position (tenured faculty appointment: full professor), appointed on a 9‑month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary range of faculty members currently holding equivalent positions is approximately between $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 (plus the Soderstrom professorship). Salary will be commensurate with experience and rank.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000.00 fee. Alternative visa categories may also be considered.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 25, 2026.

• A cover letter summarizing your background, qualifications, and interest in the position,
• A curriculum vitae,
• A research statement describing your accomplishments, experience, interests, and future research plans,
• A teaching statement describing your experience and interests, with evidence of teaching effectiveness,
• A sample research paper,
• Contact information for three professional references (name, address, institution, email, and phone number). Reference letters will be requested at a later stage in the search.

Additional Information

We offer an active and successful dual‑career partner placement program and are strongly committed to promoting work‑life balance and family‑friendly programs for faculty and staff ( http://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/ ). To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:

• Dual Career Program
• Benefits
• Living in Urbana-Champaign

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land‑grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm‑shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment

Champaign‑Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non‑discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].