Lecturer in Legal Decision Making

Apply now Job no: 537519
Work type: Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Education/Training/Instructional Design, Legal/Audit Services/Compliance
Department:16920000 - LS-SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY&LAW

Classification Title:

Lecturer

Classification Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. in Criminology or Criminal Justice, Sociology or a relevant social science field by date of hire. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) by itself is not sufficient for this position.

The selected candidate must clearly demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in face-to-face and/or online formats.

Job Description:

The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-accruing position at the rank of Lecturer with research and teaching interests related to legal decision making, beginning on August 16, 2026. 

This position supports the Law & Society component of our program in Criminology & Law by focusing on the study of the social context of law. We seek applicants whose interests include legal decision-making pre-trial (e.g., prosecutorial decision making, plea bargaining), during trial (e.g., juries, courts, sentencing), and/or post-trial (probation, parole). The Lecturer will typically teach three (3) Law & Society courses each semester, such as Law & Legal Process, Law & Society, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure. Preference will be given to applicants who can offer other Law & Society courses concerning legal decision making, and/or required Criminology courses such as Criminological Theory and Research Methods in Criminology. Preference will also be given to those with experience teaching multiple class sizes using different teaching modalities (face-to-face, online, hybrid). The Lecturer will also support other instructional needs to the undergraduate Criminology & Law program, such as undergraduate advising and engaging in research collaboration with undergraduates.

In addition, the Lecturer will be expected to actively contribute to campus- and college-wide initiatives designed to increase the quality of the educational experience provided to students, while also helping them create a path from their studies to their future professions. These include offering courses to UF Quest (https://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/uf-quest/) and participating in the Beyond120 program (https://www.advising.ufl.edu/beyond120).

The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law is a large and dynamic department with nearly 700 undergraduate Criminology majors and roughly 20 Criminology, Law and Society graduate students. The Department has two undergraduate programs, both offered via in-person and online courses, and new minors in Sociology of Social Justice & Policy and Environmental Justice & Policy. Faculty conduct research in diverse 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, including the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Center for Latin American Studies, the Center for European Studies, the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, and the Health Science Center. 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 Number 1 public university in the United States by Wall Street Journal in its “2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” report with exceptional research and teaching. 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.

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation 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.

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Criminology or Criminal Justice, Sociology or a relevant social science field by date of hire. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) by itself is not sufficient for this position.

The selected candidate must clearly demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in face-to-face and/or online formats.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to teach multiple Law & Society courses in the undergraduate Criminology & Law curriculum.
  • Experience teaching specialty upper-division undergraduate courses in Law & Society.
  • Experience teaching various class sizes utilizing multiple teaching modalities and instructional technologies.
  • Evidence of a strong commitment to undergraduate education including the ability to advise students and collaborate on research with undergraduates.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to engage students and convey a passion for teaching and learning.
Special Instructions to Applicants:

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 of teaching philosophy, (4) peer or student evaluations of teaching (if available), (5) sample course syllabi, and (6) 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 December 1, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

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 of teaching philosophy, (4) peer or student evaluations of teaching (if available), (5) sample course syllabi, and (6) 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 December 1, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. 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/.

Health Assessment Required: No.

 

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

Back to search results Apply nowRefer a friend


Send me jobs like these

We will email you new jobs that match this search.