"Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology"

Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology

POSITION SPECIFICS

This is a nine-month, tenure-track position in rural sociology at the assistant or associate professor level with a 60% research and 40% teaching responsibility. Teaching expectations will be three courses per year in the Rural Sociology graduate program and the Community, Environment, and Development undergraduate program, with the possibility of teaching contributions to the Community and Economic Development online master's program. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program focused on population health, rural health, health disparities, and/or population aging. Candidates giving attention to spatial disparities or dimensions of these issues are encouraged to apply, though it is not a requirement. The successful candidate will also be expected to develop a robust publication record, secure external funding, and advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. This position is co-funded by Penn State's Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). SSRI supports interdisciplinary research by bringing together researchers across the university around emerging areas, and by providing consultation, seed grants, and core research resources.

Qualifications:

Doctorate in rural sociology, sociology, demography, or related field. Applications from scholars with quantitative research methods skills are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must have completed all degree requirements by the appointment date. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams. The ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students is required, and the successful candidate will actively strive to provide an inclusive learning environment for all.

Application Requirements:

Review of applications will begin on January 20, 2026, with a start date of July 1, 2026, or as negotiated. Candidates should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for three references, up to three representative publications or working papers, a statement of research experiences/future interests, and a statement of teaching/pedagogy related to the position description. Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with university policies. Questions can be directed to the Search Committee chair: Leif Jensen, Distinguished Professor of Rural Sociology and Demography.

The Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education (AESE) is a welcoming community with our scholarship focusing on people, society, and economic systems grounded in theory and methods from the social, economic, and behavioral sciences. Faculty and students develop and employ rigorous approaches to discover fundamental and applied principles that advance science in their core disciplines. AESE strives to improve the health, prosperity, and welfare of people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond. Our core areas for teaching and research are (1) Agricultural and Food Systems, (2) Community Development and Engagement, (3) Environment and Natural Resources, and (4) Population Processes in Global Perspective. The Department offers three resident and one online graduate programs and oversees four undergraduate majors. For more information visit our site at https://aese.psu.edu/.