"Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track, Child & Family Studies, Human Sciences and Design"

The Child and Family Studies program within the Department of Human Science and Design at Baylor University is pleased to invite applicants for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level, beginning August 2026. This position will demonstrate a substantial scholarship program in areas related to human development and/or family sciences. We are particularly interested in candidates with scholarship that aligns with the signature academic initiatives identified in Baylor In Deeds and Robbins College. This position will also contribute to outstanding teaching with undergraduate courses within the Child & Family Studies Program.

As a Christian university, Baylor seeks faculty who have an active Christian or Jewish faith and who will support its mission by fostering academic excellence within a caring, faith-informed community.

The Child and Family Studies program at Baylor University prepares students for applied, evidence-based work with children and families, emphasizing holistic development within family systems and human ecology frameworks. The Child and Family Studies program offers a foundational core curriculum in child and family studies and four concentrations by which students specialize in a content area: Child Development, Child Life, Family Life Education, and Pre-Occupational Therapy. The curriculum prepares students for a variety of professional settings and graduate programs. Child and Family Studies students are eligible to pursue certification in Family Life Education (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations and the coursework preparation for certification as a Child Life Specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals. Through our close partnership with the Piper Center for Family Studies and Child Development-a nationally accredited NAEYC lab school-students have opportunities to observe and engage in developmentally appropriate best practices in early childhood education and family life.

About Baylor University: Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and is the oldest college in the state. It has a diverse student population of 21,000 and is recognized as one of the top universities in the nation, achieving R1 institution status by the Carnegie Classification in January 2022. Baylor also made it to the honor roll of 'Great Colleges to Work For' from The Chronicle of Higher Education. It offers competitive salaries and benefits, allowing faculty and staff to live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. Baylor's new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, guides the University as it continues to fulfill its mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

Qualifications: Required qualifications: Applicants must hold an earned doctorate in Human Development or Family Sciences, or a closely related field by the time of the appointment. A strong record of, or potential for, externally fundable research is required. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to high-quality teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate level and show evidence of collaborative engagement in academic or professional settings. Preferred qualifications: A record of peer-reviewed publications and/or external grant funding. Active participation in professional organizations relevant to children and families (e.g., NCFR, SRCD, SRA, NAEYC). Supervision of graduate or undergraduate research projects. Professional experience in related sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, child development, nonprofit/human services). Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential.