"Assistant Professor – Human Development & Family Science"

The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program within the School of Education, Counseling, & Human Development invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning Fall 2026. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota. This position is a 9-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

The School of Education, Counseling, & Human Development is home to the programs of human development and family science (HDFS), exploratory studies, early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education (including agricultural education and family & consumer science education), and counseling graduate programs (specializations in clinical mental health, college counseling, marriage & family, rehabilitation, and school counseling). The School is also host to minors in gerontology, HDFS, and rehabilitation services and home to the community services of the Child and Family Resource Network and Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education. The HDFS program at SDSU currently includes five full-time faculty and two professional advisors. The program includes the HDFS and gerontology minors, an AS and BS in HDFS, and a MS in Human Sciences—Human Development and Family Science. There are approximately 300 students across the degree options within the HDFS program. For additional information, please visit: https://www.sdstate.edu/school-education-counseling-human-development/human-development-family-science-program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs, such as through curricula development, program recruitment, and mentoring/advising students.
• Teach high quality undergraduate and/or graduate courses in various formats (in-person, hybrid, asynchronous and synchronous online).
• Have an active and defined research program with potential for publication and extramural funding.
• Provide service to the program, school, college, and university, and to the community and profession.

BENEFITS: SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or related discipline by date of hire.
• Ability or strong potential for effective teaching in-person, asynchronous and synchronous online, and/or hybrid courses.
• Potential for developing a productive and impactful research program.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across disciplines.

APPLICATION PROCESS: This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, research statement (3 page maximum, attached as work sample), teaching statement (3 page maximum, attached as other), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date: 10/08/2025

Closing Date: 11/06/2025

Advertised Salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience starting at $72,000.

Duration of the Term: 9 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Proposed Rank: Assistant Professor

Appointment Type: Regular

Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

For questions on the position, contact Christin Carotta (Search Chair) at Christin.Carotta@sdstate.edu.