Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology (TT)

The advertised position is part of a public and community health cluster hire led by the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The search is part of an effort to grow certificate and curricular pathways in health, well-being, and community flourishing, with an emphasis on increasing research and teaching expertise in topics related to the social determinants of health, urban health, and health disparities. Participating units include: the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Sociology, and the School of Communication. The University of Akron strongly values inclusion and diversity of ideas, experience, and methodology within the classroom and in the research and creative activity of its faculty. As such, we welcome applicants who use integrative approaches across a range of biological, computational, humanistic, socio-cultural, community-based, prevention science, behavioral, and statistical methods.  

This search seeks to build a cohort of teacher-scholars who will offer a strong contribution to the excellence of UA through teaching, scholarship, service and collaboration. Specifically, as an urban-research university, we are particularly interested in scholars whose work touches on the pressing needs of cities and urban communities. Through our teaching, scholarship, and service, we strive to create an environment where every student at the University feels included and welcomed. We value the contribution of each individual in their commitment to a better University of Akron, and welcome applications that demonstrate experience working with students from different backgrounds, experiences and beliefs.  

This position carries a typical teaching load of 9 credit hours per semester. It is a full-time, tenure track (TT) position with competitive salary and benefits.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted by October 6, 2024. Review of applications will begin after that date, but  applications will continue to be accepted until November 6, 2024. If you have questions, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Juan Xi (jx@uakron.edu).

Required Qualifications:  Ph.D. in Sociology, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related field. Expertise in Medical Sociology, Sociology of Mental Health, Public Health, and/or Epidemiology.

Preferred Qualifications: Expertise in health disparities and ability to teach courses in one or more of the following areas as well as those in line with the candidate’s area(s) of research expertise: Sociology of Health and Illness, Sociology of Mental Illness, Health Disparities, Public Health, Epidemiology, Research Methods, Qualitative Methods, or Statistics.  

Application Instructions: To apply for this position, you must complete an online application and attach (1) a cover letter that describes your qualifications and experience with reference to the required and preferred qualifications; (2) a curriculum vita that includes contact information for three references; (3) a brief statement of teaching philosophy and experience; and (4) teaching evaluations if available.

Date of Appointment:      A full-time contract with competitive salary and benefits will be offered, commencing August 25, 2025.