"SW - Assistant Professor - Tenure/Tenure Track - 527578"

Position Summary

The University of Alabama School of Social Work invites applications for two (2) faculty appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) to begin August 2026. High priority areas include behavioral health, health disparities, poverty, and asset or strengths-based community approaches. Candidates with scholarship expertise in other areas are also encouraged to apply. The committee will strongly consider all areas that complement current faculty research and/or needs of the State of Alabama. The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline and an MSW. Candidates who are ABD may also apply if successful defense of the dissertation occurs prior to appointment. A minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience is preferred. The expected start date is August 16, 2026. This is not a remote position.

Detailed Position Information

The University of Alabama School of Social Work invites applications for two (2) faculty appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) to begin August 2026.

We welcome candidates with 1) experience in or potential for high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level across teaching modalities, 2) interest or experience in mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate level; 3) achievement in or the potential for original research and scholarship, and 4) success in or the potential to secure external and internal funds for their research.

High priority areas include behavioral health, health disparities, poverty, and asset or strengths-based community approaches. Candidates with scholarship expertise in other areas are also encouraged to apply. The committee will strongly consider all areas that complement current faculty research and/or needs of the State of Alabama. The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline and an MSW. Candidates who are ABD may also apply if successful defense of the dissertation occurs prior to appointment. A minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience is preferred.

Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. New faculty are provided a generous start up package.

To apply, candidates should go to http://careers.ua.edu to complete an online application and upload the following:
• Cover letter detailing interest in position;
• Statement describing research and scholarship;
• Statement of teaching philosophy and experience;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Two articles or article-length writing samples;
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g. student evaluations; peer observations of teaching); and
• Contact information for three (3) professional references.

Review of applications will begin October 10, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is August 16, 2026. Confidential inquiries about the position may be sent to Dr. Leah Cheatham, Search Committee Chair, at lpcheatham@ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

High priority areas include behavioral health, health disparities, poverty, and asset or strengths-based community approaches. Candidates with scholarship expertise in other areas are also encouraged to apply. The committee will strongly consider all areas that complement current faculty research and/or needs of the State of Alabama. The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline and an MSW. Candidates who are ABD may also apply if successful defense of the dissertation occurs prior to appointment. A minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience is preferred.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application

To apply, candidates should go to http://careers.ua.edu to complete an online application and upload the following: • Cover letter detailing interest in position; • Statement describing research and scholarship; • Statement of teaching philosophy and experience; • Curriculum vitae; • Two articles or article-length writing samples; • Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g. student evaluations; peer observations of teaching); and • Contact information for three (3) professional references.

About the Division/College/School

The School of Social Work was established in 1965 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to address the state’s critical shortage of and pressing need for professionally trained social workers. Now, it stands as the only one of its kind in the state of Alabama, offering BSW, MSW, DSW, and Ph.D. degrees in social work. Additionally, the college is the only school outside Washington, D.C., with semester-long internship opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Since our founding, we have been proud to lead the charge in training students for tomorrow’s workforce. Our distinguished faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research and exceptional advancements in the field of social work. During the previous year, we received 23 million dollars in external funding to support our school’s research efforts.