Tenure-Track: Quantitative Higher Education Policy Scholar

Aera; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in higher education policy. The role emphasizes rigorous quantitative research on student success, workforce preparation, governance, and AI in postsecondary settings.

The candidate will teach across levels, develop new courses, and mentor students. Applications begin Oct 31, 2026 with a start date in August 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD in higher education, public policy, or a social science discipline.
• Ability to conduct rigorous quantitative research and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Record of external funding or strong potential for it.
• Experience with teaching at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels.
• Ability to engage with postsecondary institutions and policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous quantitative research on higher education policy topics.
• Publish in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Teach a mix of in-person and online courses across programs.
• Develop new courses to prepare students to understand policy implications.
• Mentor students and collaborate across disciplines.

Skills

Quantitative research

Policy analysis

Teaching/mentoring

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication of research

Education

PhD in higher education, public policy, or social science

Job description

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in higher education policy. The role emphasizes rigorous quantitative research on student success, workforce preparation, governance, and AI in postsecondary settings.

The candidate will teach across levels, develop new courses, and mentor students. Applications begin Oct 31, 2026 with a start date in August 2027.