Assistant Professor of Criminology

The successful candidate will join a vibrant department of 17 full-time faculty and 400 students dedicated to interdisciplinarity, collegiality, and community-engaged scholarship and education. We offer undergraduate majors in Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology, and Social Work and we are currently developing a Master’s of Science in Criminology (pending approval to begin in August 2027).

We seek a broadly trained criminologist who will expand the ranks of our faculty and who will contribute to our rapidly growing criminology major and new Master’s program. The area of specialization for this position is open, but preference is given to candidates who could expand our current curriculum and/or contribute to areas of teaching need, including critical approaches to criminal justice systems and policy, and race and inequality. In addition to teaching courses in their area(s) of specialization, the successful candidate will also have teaching responsibilities in core criminology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, which could include introduction to criminology, criminological theory, research methods, policy analysis and/or capstone courses. The nominal teaching load for tenure track appointments is 3-3. We seek a teacher-scholar who is committed to undergraduate education, who will engage with a diverse group of students in and out of the classroom, and who will pursue a robust research agenda in their area of expertise.

A Ph.D. in Criminology, Sociology, or a closely related field is required for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. A J.D. alone is not sufficient for consideration. In some cases, exceptionally well-qualified candidates may be considered for appointment at a higher rank and ABD candidates who will not hold the Ph.D. by the time of appointment may be considered for appointment at the rank of Instructor.

Salary Information:
The salary for this position ranges from $78,000 to $88,000 commensurate with Education and Experience.

Departmental Information

The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology at Christopher Newport University is composed of 17 faculty and offers majors in Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology, and Social Work, minors in Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology, and Geography, and an undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). SSWA also houses two research centers: The Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice (CCEJ) and the Center for Education Research and Policy (CERP), each with robust public-facing and policy-oriented research agendas and extensive local and state-level relationships.

Our goal is to develop students into critical thinkers, readers and writers who go on to become global citizens with compassion, communicative skills, and knowledge to help others. In new faculty we seek excellence in teaching, promising scholarship, supportive collegiality, and the ability to inspire passion for research in our students. Candidates wishing to know more about the department and its academic programs are invited to visit https://cnu.edu/academics/css/sswa/.

CNU Information

Christopher Newport University is a public liberal arts institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, research and student success. Our efforts are guided by our vision: “Anchored in excellence and focused on students, Christopher Newport University aspires to be the nation’s premier regional public university, offering an innovative education embedded in the liberal arts that advances the values of honor, service, scholarship, and leadership to empower graduates to lead lives of significance.”
Located in Newport News, Virginia, CNU enrolls approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 90 areas of study. Our modern, walkable campus features world-class arts facilities, advanced technology, and a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and discovery. Just minutes from family neighborhoods, locally-owned businesses, historic sites, unique cultural attractions, and beautiful parks – and a short drive to beaches, Colonial Williamsburg, and Norfolk – CNU offers an exceptional place to advance your career, contribute to a community of scholars, and inspire the next generation.

Christopher Newport University is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored, and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We recruit exceptional and diverse faculty and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.

Posting Number: F279P

Posting Date: 08/21/2026

Review Begin Date: 11/02/2026

Application Instructions

To apply, please visit https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/ to upload a letter of interest; current curriculum vitae; graduate transcripts (photocopies acceptable for initial screening); a one- to two-page research statement outlining your research agenda, including a discussion of how you plan to involve undergraduate students in your research; a one- to two-page statement of teaching effectiveness; and contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation will be required of applicants who reach the virtual interview stage.

All applications received by November 1, 2026, will receive full consideration. Applications received later will be accepted but considered only if needed.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/21157