Assistant Professor of Justice

University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position. This position is responsible for teaching undergraduate courses for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice program, conducting and disseminating criminological research, and providing service to the discipline, to the university, and to the community. While all areas of specialization will be considered for hire, preference will be given to candidates with expertise in policing research. We especially encourage applications from candidates who reflect the diversity present in our community and student body, and who will promote and enhance multicultural engagement.

Established by the Alaska Legislature in 1975, the UAA Justice Center has a mandate to provide statewide justice education, research, and service. The Justice Center is an interdisciplinary unit that provides undergraduate and professional education; conducts criminological and criminal justice research; and provides service to governmental units, justice agencies, and community organizations throughout urban and rural Alaska to promote a safe, healthy, and just society. To learn more, visit: uaa.alaska.edu/justice.

The Justice Center is home to undergraduate academic programs in Criminology & Criminal Justice and in Legal Studies, and it houses the Alaska Justice Information Center (AJiC), which is Alaska's designated statistical analysis center. Faculty conduct basic and applied research related to crime and justice issues in both urban and rural areas of the state, disseminate the findings from that research widely and in diverse formats, and provide students the opportunity to participate in research. The Justice Center has very strong partnerships with Alaska's criminal justice policy and practitioner communities and is committed to community-engaged research.

The standard workload includes teaching, research, and service responsibilities. The standard teaching load is three course sections per semester. Faculty must be able to develop, administer, and deliver both in-person and online courses. Faculty members who secure external funding for research can reduce their teaching workloads.

Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and ability for: (1) successful teaching in criminology/criminal justice topics; (2) performing original research in criminology and criminal justice; and (3) preparing publications, reports, and presentations. Applicants must provide evidence of knowledge and experience in social science research methods, particularly within the field of criminology/criminal justice; must demonstrate excellent writing skills; and must be comfortable working in a cooperative, organized research setting with other faculty, public officials, practitioners, and others to establish research and service priorities and conduct research and policy analysis. We especially encourage applications from candidates who reflect the increasing diversity present in our community and student body, and who will enhance and promote engagement with other cultures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must hold a Ph.D. in criminology, criminal justice, or closely related discipline on the date of appointment. Candidates will be appointed to this position only after official transcripts showing that all Ph.D. graduation requirements have been completed are provided. ABD's will be considered for hire as non-tenure track term faculty, with appointment into a tenure-track faculty position once the dissertation is completed, successfully defended, and official transcripts showing that all Ph.D. graduation requirements have been completed are provided.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, Faculty Time Off, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage and representation under a Collective Bargaining Unit. Salary will be based upon applicable academic preparation and experience.

Applicants are required to submit graduate academic transcripts; a cover letter; a detailed curriculum vitae containing educational history, relevant prior work experience, title and brief descriptions of courses taught, and research projects, publications, and presentations; one writing sample (e.g., peer-reviewed article, book chapter, white paper); statement of teaching/pedagogical philosophy; and names of at least three professional references and their complete contact information.

Application Materials:

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Cover letter discussing interest in the position, and how the applicants' qualifications and experience will contribute to the mission of the Justice Center, the College of Health, and the University of Alaska Anchorage
• Curriculum vitae detailing educational credentials earned, substantive and methodological training in criminology/criminal justice, research experience and accomplishments, research grants or other external funding awarded, university-level teaching experience and accomplishments, and professionally-related service activities (discipline, university, community)
• Research writing sample for which the applicant has authorship (sole authorship not required)
• Statement of teaching/pedagogical philosophy
• Minimum of 3 professional references
• Graduate academic transcripts for the most recent semester of study completed

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications will be accepted for review on 09/15/2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Daylight Time on 09/14/2025.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Sharon Chamard, Search Committee Chair, at sechamard@alaska.edu.