Assistant Professor

The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law at the University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-accruing position at the rank of Assistant Professor with research and teaching interests related to health inequalities and environmental justice beginning August 16, 2024. Candidates will have a Ph.D. in sociology or a relevant social science field by date of hire. 

We seek scholars whose research focuses on issues of health disparities and environmental justice. Approaches to health disparities should feature social inequalities as related to environmental exposures, and may focus on unequal outcomes including those in healthcare access, specific health risks, substance use/addiction, and mental health conditions. Scholars may examine environmental racism or victimization as well as mobilization related to climate, energy, food, or water justice. We are especially interested in scholars whose research is grounded in theoretical perspectives that attend to power and cross-scale processes in human and environmental systems, and who have strong methodological and analytical skills.

We seek applicants whose records show commitment to rigorous scholarship with the promise of external funding, as well as excellence in teaching. The ability to contribute significantly to graduate education and the mentoring of graduate students is highly desirable.

The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law is a large and dynamic department with nearly 1,500 undergraduate majors and almost 100 graduate students. The Department has multiple undergraduate programs offered via in-person and online courses, and has recently developed new minors in Sociology of Social justice & Policy and Environmental Justice & Policy. We encompass a concentration of faculty using Artificial Intelligence methods in their research and teaching. Faculty are also known for research in other areas, including criminology and criminal justice; psychology and law; families and gender; health, aging, and the life course; environment and resources; and race and ethnicity. Many faculty are affiliated with other academic programs at UF relevant to health inequalities and environmental justice, including the Center for African Studies, Center for African American Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for European Studies, Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Florida Climate Institute, Field & Fork Campus Food Program, Health Science Center, One Health Center of Excellence, Public Health, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the UF Water Institute. More information about the Department is available at https://soccrim.clas.ufl.edu/, including biographical information about our faculty, students, and staff; and a description of the various projects and research interests in which our members are involved.

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 6^th in the country among public universities (US News and World Report 2023 rankings), and 1^st among public institutions in the Wall Street Journal 2023 survey. UF is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF’s large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support a range of activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs including magnet schools and an international baccalaureate program. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a full benefits package.

Employment Benefits include:

Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability and more.

Retirement Options: Attractive options include Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.

Leave: UF staff enjoy a generous paid leave plan as well as access to a sick-leave pool, maternity/paternity leave, and leave payouts.

Ph.D. in Sociology or a relevant social science field by date of hire.

Evidence of rigorous scholarship and the potential to obtain external funding

Evidence of excellence in teaching and the ability to mentor graduate students

Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes (1) a letter of application summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, experience, and suitability for the position, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on teaching and research goals, (4) the names and email addresses of three references. An email will be sent to your references, requesting them to upload their confidential letter to the submission packet.

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 10, 2023, and the position will remain open until filled. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.