Position Overview
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare (KUSSW) invites applications for two open-rank, tenure-track or tenured professor positions beginning in Fall 2027. As part of a strategic investment in strengthening the KUSSW’s quantitative and data-informed research enterprise, we seek scholars with a strong, externally fundable research agenda who use quantitative, computational, or other data-informed methods to address pressing social challenges. We are particularly interested in candidates whose scholarship advances racial, social, economic, and environmental justice through rigorous empirical research, including the analysis of social systems, policy and program evaluation, and population-level outcomes using large administrative or other complex data sets. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Social Work or an M.S.W. with a Ph.D. in a closely related field by the time of appointment (August 2027).
Successful candidates will contribute to the KUSSW’s nationally recognized educational programs through excellence in teaching and mentoring. We seek faculty whose scholarly expertise and teaching interests align with macro social work practice, social policy, community practice, program evaluation, and closely related areas. Faculty teach across the School’s B.S.W., M.S.W., Ph.D., and D.S.W. programs, which are offered through in-person, online, evening, and weekend formats to serve students throughout Kansas and beyond.
KUSSW is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment for students, faculty, and staff. We seek colleagues whose research, teaching, and service reflect the values and ethics of the social work profession and align with the School’s Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
About The KUSSW
The KUSSW is situated in the beautiful, historic, and culturally vibrant cities spanning Lawrence and the Kansas City metropolitan area, with satellite partnerships across the state of Kansas. Co-located in Lawrence with Haskell Indian Nations University, the School of Social Welfare partners with Haskell in mutually supporting the academic programs of each institution through research, programs, and services. KUSSW and Haskell play a central role in the life of the University of Kansas.
The main campus of the KU School of Social Welfare is in Lawrence and offers BSW, MSW, and PhD degree programs. The KU Edwards Campus is in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, and offers BSW and MSW courses. The MSW program is also offered at our partnership site at Kansas State University - Salina. We also offer fully online DSW and MSW Programs. We encourage you to consider joining us in this growth as we continually strive to reinvent, innovate, transform, and educate through quality education, research advancement, and community engagement.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description
About KU
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university that serves as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor. The University of Kansas is the only state university in Kansas to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of 62 public and private research universities that represent excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally. The University enrolls more than 31,000 students, offers 5,000 courses, more than 400 degree and certificate programs and employs 2,800 faculty members, many of them at the top of their fields. In KU’s dynamic, cross-disciplinary research and learning environment, students exchange ideas, discover new ways of processing the world, and address society’s grand challenges.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Allocation of Effort:
40% Research – Establish a community-engaged research program focused on advancing racial, social, economic, and/or environmental justice; publish scholarly manuscripts; engage in scholarly and community-based publications and presentations; impact the local, national, and/or international community with their research.
40% Teaching – Teach two classes per semester (four classes per year) across the BSW, MSW, PhD, and DSW curricula.
20% Service – Participate in school, university, community, and professional service activities.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of research, teaching, and service in the letter of application and statements, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity included in CV and (3) information from three professional references.
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare (KUSSW) invites applications for two open-rank, tenure-track or tenured professor positions beginning in Fall 2027. As part of a strategic investment in strengthening the KUSSW’s quantitative and data-informed research enterprise, we seek scholars with a strong, externally fundable research agenda who use quantitative, computational, or other data-informed methods to address pressing social challenges. We are particularly interested in candidates whose scholarship advances racial, social, economic, and environmental justice through rigorous empirical research, including the analysis of social systems, policy and program evaluation, and population-level outcomes using large administrative or other complex data sets. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Social Work or an M.S.W. with a Ph.D. in a closely related field by the time of appointment (August 2027).
Successful candidates will contribute to the KUSSW’s nationally recognized educational programs through excellence in teaching and mentoring. We seek faculty whose scholarly expertise and teaching interests align with macro social work practice, social policy, community practice, program evaluation, and closely related areas. Faculty teach across the School’s B.S.W., M.S.W., Ph.D., and D.S.W. programs, which are offered through in-person, online, evening, and weekend formats to serve students throughout Kansas and beyond.
KUSSW is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment for students, faculty, and staff. We seek colleagues whose research, teaching, and service reflect the values and ethics of the social work profession and align with the School’s Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. UAKU is the exclusive representative. As the State of Kansas is a right to work state, you have the right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
About The KUSSW
The KUSSW is situated in the beautiful, historic, and culturally vibrant cities spanning Lawrence and the Kansas City metropolitan area, with satellite partnerships across the state of Kansas. Co-located in Lawrence with Haskell Indian Nations University, the School of Social Welfare partners with Haskell in mutually supporting the academic programs of each institution through research, programs, and services. KUSSW and Haskell play a central role in the life of the University of Kansas.
The main campus of the KU School of Social Welfare is in Lawrence and offers BSW, MSW, and PhD degree programs. The KU Edwards Campus is in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, and offers BSW and MSW courses. The MSW program is also offered at our partnership site at Kansas State University - Salina. We also offer fully online DSW and MSW Programs. We encourage you to consider joining us in this growth as we continually strive to reinvent, innovate, transform, and educate through quality education, research advancement, and community engagement.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description
About KU
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university that serves as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor. The University of Kansas is the only state university in Kansas to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of 62 public and private research universities that represent excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally. The University enrolls more than 31,000 students, offers 5,000 courses, more than 400 degree and certificate programs and employs 2,800 faculty members, many of them at the top of their fields. In KU’s dynamic, cross-disciplinary research and learning environment, students exchange ideas, discover new ways of processing the world, and address society’s grand challenges.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Allocation of Effort:
40% Research – Establish a community-engaged research program focused on advancing racial, social, economic, and/or environmental justice; publish scholarly manuscripts; engage in scholarly and community-based publications and presentations; impact the local, national, and/or international community with their research.
40% Teaching – Teach two classes per semester (four classes per year) across the BSW, MSW, PhD, and DSW curricula.
20% Service – Participate in school, university, community, and professional service activities.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of research, teaching, and service in the letter of application and statements, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity included in CV and (3) information from three professional references.
- A PhD in social work, OR or a Master of Social Work and a PhD in a closely related field by August 2027.