"Director"

Job Details

The Center on Children, Families, and the Law (CCFL), in partnership with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is seeking a national leader with demonstrated expertise in social policy, program development/administration, leadership development, evaluation research, and delivery of training/technical assistance to direct CCFL, a nationally recognized interdisciplinary center within the College of Arts and Sciences. CCFL’s mission is Helping the Helpers: We provide an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to improve systems and outcomes for children and families.

CCFL has a record of leading complex, multi-agency service portfolios with external accountability and has a distinguished history of service engagement, program evaluation, and capacity-building training and technical assistance. CCFL’s faculty and staff develop, implement, manage, and evaluate systems-level projects, design and deliver training for helping professionals, and conduct policy-relevant research, all broadly focused on child and family services. CCFL’s local, regional, and national research and projects have a reputation for excellence and innovation in child and family welfare policy and practice. https://ccfl.unl.edu/.

In their role as Director of CCFL, the successful candidate will report directly to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The appointment will carry a faculty role in an academic unit within CAS, anticipated to be Psychology or Political Science. The successful candidate must have the academic experience and accomplishments that qualify for the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor, with preference for Full Professor. The Director will provide administrative oversight of CCFL and stewardship of its mission and long-term partner commitments, while offering strong leadership to CCFL’s faculty and staff that reinforces the mission of Helping the Helpers. The Director will foster a staff-centered, multidisciplinary culture and support CCFL project directors in sustaining and expanding their programs. Responsibilities include maintaining an active program of research, pursuing external funding, and teaching one course per year in an academic unit within the College of Arts and Sciences, anticipated in the Department of Psychology or Political Science.

Salary Range: $100,000 – $125,000 (Associate Professor); $130,000 – $165,000 (Full Professor). Salary is negotiable based on qualifications and experience.

A Ph.D. in psychology, political science, or a related field is required. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong record of achievement in both academic and applied research, including a successful publication history. Applicants must have positive teaching experience and a proven ability to mentor and support the development of junior colleagues, staff, and students. Evidence of success in obtaining and managing external funding is required, along with academic experience and accomplishments that qualify for appointment at the faculty rank of Associate Professor or higher.

Demonstrated leadership experience in organizations that actively seek and secure external funding will be strongly preferred. Preference will also be given to applicants whose academic accomplishments qualify them for appointment at the rank of Full Professor.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin January 20, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, visit https://go.unl.edu/unljobs, and search for keyword 1978. Click "Apply Now" and login or create an applicant profile. Complete the application and upload the following required documents:

1. A cover letter expressing interest in the position. A curriculum vitae. Research and teaching statement. PDFs of five relevant publications. Contact information for three professional references. References will be contacted only for candidates who make the short list.

Questions may be directed to Michelle Graef via email at mgraef1@unl.edu and Jeff Chambers at jchambers1@unl.edu.