Social Research Faculty Jobs | Top Academic Careers

Explore academic careers in Social Research within Social Science. Opportunities include faculty positions, research roles, and postdoctoral fellowships at top universities and research institutions. Engage in impactful studies, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Unlock Your Future in Social Research: Thriving Careers Await!

Social research faculty jobs blend rigorous inquiry with real-world impact, analyzing societal dynamics through surveys, ethnographies, and data modeling. From uncovering inequality patterns to shaping public policy, these roles drive academic and societal progress. Students, dive into bachelor's programs in sociology or research methods, then pursue PhDs at top institutions—check rate my social research professor for standout mentors. Graduates land tenure-track positions amid 7% projected growth for sociologists through 2032 per BLS data.

Seasoned academics, discover higher ed jobs like professor and research director roles. Earnings vary by rank and location, with links to professor salaries revealing US averages over $89,000 for assistants. Trends favor computational experts using AI for network analysis. Parents and job seekers, explore higher ed career advice, free resume templates, and openings in high-demand areas like California via US California jobs. Start your journey—browse faculty jobs today!

Core Areas of Social Research

Social research spans quantitative surveys processed via R or SPSS, qualitative interviews, and mixed-methods studies. A fringe quirk: 'garbage can' theory from Cohen's 1972 UC Irvine work models chaotic university decision-making, still cited in policy research.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Methods

Quantitative tracks trends like voter behavior; qualitative dives into lived experiences, as in Liebow's 1967 Tally's Corner ethnography of urban poverty.

Educational Paths for Social Research Careers

Students start with BA in sociology or anthropology, advance to MA in research methods, and PhD for faculty roles. Key courses: statistics, ethnography. Rate programs using rate my professor social research. Top paths lead to Ivy League via Ivy League guide.

  • Undergrad: Focus on stats and theory.
  • Grad: Thesis on niche topics like digital ethnography.
  • Postdoc: higher ed jobs postdoc opportunities.

Job Opportunities in Social Research

Faculty positions dominate, plus lecturer jobs, research assistant jobs. Demand spikes in policy hubs like DC. Fringe: Remote roles analyzing social media data surged 40% post-2020. Explore remote higher ed jobs or UK via jobs.ac.uk.

Check professor feedback at rate my social research instructor.

Salaries and Earnings in Social Research

2022-23 AAUP data shows competitive pay, highest at elite unis. Link to professor salaries for details; university salaries by location.

Academic RankUS Average Salary (2023)Top 10% Location
Assistant Professor$89,250California ($110k+)
Associate Professor$102,500New York ($125k+)
Full Professor$147,000Massachusetts ($180k+)

Adjuncts earn $3,000-$7,000 per course; tenured roles offer prestige and stability. View US New York jobs for high earners.

Trends and Future Outlook

AI integration booms—2024 saw 25% more computational social science postings. Post-COVID, inequality research exploded. Quirk: Twitter (now X) data fueled 2023 election studies. Prepare via career advice.

Top Social Research Programs

University of Chicago (founded empirical tradition), UC Berkeley, Harvard. Rank them at the university rankings. Rate faculty via rate my professor in social research.

Start Your Social Research Journey

Leverage AcademicJobs.com resources for success.

Find Jobs Now Check Salaries

Associations for Social Research

Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What qualifications do I need for social research faculty jobs?

A PhD in sociology, anthropology, or research methods is essential, plus publications. Students, build via grad programs—check higher ed career advice.

💰What is the average salary for a social research professor?

US averages: $89K assistant, $147K full per 2023 AAUP. Varies by state—explore professor salaries and California jobs.

🏛️What are top universities for social research?

Chicago, Berkeley, Harvard lead. View rankings at university rankings or Ivy options via Ivy League schools.

🤖How has AI changed social research careers?

AI enables big data analysis; 2024 jobs up 25%. Learn tools for research jobs. Fringe: AI predicts social unrest.

🌍What career paths exist beyond academia in social research?

Govt (Census), NGOs, consulting. Transition via higher ed jobs or recruitment tools.

📜What's a quirky historical fact about social research?

Charles Booth's 1886 London poverty maps, door-to-door survey of 4M people, pioneered empirical methods. Modern echo in big data studies.

How do I rate social research professors?

Use rate my professor for reviews on teaching and research. Essential for program selection.

📈What growth trends for social research jobs?

BLS forecasts 5-7% rise; computational niches faster. Prep with professor jobs listings.
34 Jobs Found

New York University, Abu Dhabi

Saadiyat Marina District - Al Saadiyat Island - Saadiyat Marina District - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 23, 2026

MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 17, 2026

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia QLD, Australia
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Jan 5, 2026

Columbia University

Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 2, 2026
View More