Position Overview
The Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University invites applications for the Alumni Professor of Sociology to begin autumn semester 2027. This is an endowed professorship focusing on social stratification and mobility. Candidates must be at the rank of associate professor or professor (with tenure). We seek candidates with an established record of scholarly achievement and externally funded research who will build on our distinctive strength as a top ten program in social stratification and contribute to new areas of growth in this diverse subfield. We expect this individual to teach core courses in stratification and inequality, broadly defined. Scholars who can engage in cross-disciplinary research with other departments or colleges (e.g., Public Policy, Social Work, Public Health) and research centers (e.g., Center for Aging Families, Criminal Justice Research Center, Institute for Population Research, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Mershon Center for International Security Studies) and/or contribute to a new interdisciplinary degree program in Computational Social Science are of particular interest. Responsibilities of the position include maintaining a robust research program including actively seeking external funding; contributing to excellence in teaching and mentoring a diverse body of graduate and undergraduate students; and providing engaged service to the department, university, and the profession.
Performance Objectives
- Develop and maintain productive research agenda
- Excel at teaching courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Demonstrate excellence in student mentorship
- Support departmental goals and operations as an active citizen through service on committees, project assignments, and/or other administrative roles
Education and Experience Requirements
Required: Applicants are expected to have a PhD in sociology or a related field and present evidence of excellence in both research and teaching.
Desired: Preference is given to applicants with an established record of published research in high-quality outlets, external funding, and teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to building a diverse intellectual community, in line with OSU’s Shared Values.
Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
Review of applications will begin on September 25th, 2026. Inquiries may be directed to Jamie Fowle at [contact details available in the full listing]. Application materials submitted in Workday must include:
- Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
- Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
- Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
- Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
- Attachment 5: A single document with three examples of your written work that provides evidence of your research capabilities.
Qualified candidates selected to move forward in the process will be asked to provide names and contact information for three letters of reference.
The College
With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The College of Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success.
Department Information
The Sociology Department at Ohio State boasts more than 30 research active faculty who are dedicated to pursuing intellectual inquiry concerning the causes and consequences of social inequality. Known for our strengths in criminology, medical sociology/health disparities, and stratification, we are ranked #18 by U.S. News and World Report and #14 by the Global Shanghai Rankings. Our faculty maintain cross-cutting collaborations across the University, and we maintain strong ties to a number of interdisciplinary research centers including the Criminal Justice Research Center, the Institute for Population Research, and the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. The department ranks in the top 10% nationally for publications per faculty member. We regularly translate our research to a wider audience by engaging with media, policy makers, direct service providers, and community leaders. Thus, our work is visible and impactful. We are home to two of the largest majors in the College of Arts and Sciences – sociology and criminology - and we typically maintain a graduate program of approximately 60 students, who go on to pursue careers in academia, government, public policy, and the private sector.
The University
Ohio State is a top 20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.
Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.
The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available. More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here.
In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania & West Virginia HERC.
Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.
