"Tenure Track Full Time Faculty in Sociology"

Tenure Track Full Time Faculty in Sociology

Posting Number: R0004199

Location: Point Loma Campus - San Diego, CA

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God's kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber, skilled and/or demonstrating great potential in the practice of teaching and scholarship.

The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position in Sociology to start in August 2026. We expect to make an appointment at the assistant professor level to a candidate with a Ph.D. in Sociology. We will consider more senior candidates and those with a Masters in Sociology and a Ph.D. in closely related fields. The compensation level depends upon the education and experience of the appointee.

We seek applicants with a demonstrated record of teaching with cultural competency and strong, interdisciplinary scholarship committed to advancing the field of sociology. Subfield specialties are open, including law and/or citizenship, public policy, youth/adolescence, education, sociology of family and community, media and technology, gender/sex/sexuality, and intersectionality. We often teach service-oriented students with career plans in the fields of social work, criminal justice system, counseling or therapy, and teaching. The university and department encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups to apply.

The appointee will teach 12 units per semester that include courses in their area of interests and expertise along with General Education and service courses for students from a diverse range of fields and disciplines across campus. The appointee will also advise students and contribute to co-curricular activities. Responsibilities include participating in departmental activities and governance and serving on faculty committees, as well as engaging in community service off campus and active church involvement. The ideal candidate has a record of commitment to working within and supporting an environment that promotes community-building and belonging.

Benefits:
We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, and competitive retirement matching. There also may be opportunities for university assistance with the cost of housing in Southern California. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including faculty chapel, weekly faculty lunches and a robust wellness program.

Salary:
PLNU pays its faculty using a payscale based on experience and academic rank. Faculty salaries using this scale for a 2-semester appointment range from $77,357 to $133,945. The actual salary will be based on the experience, rank, and appointment term of the candidate selected to fill this position.

Job Status: Full time

Job Description:

The Sociology Program is housed in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences with programs in child and adolescent development, criminal justice, psychology, and social work. Students are drawn to the department for its commitment to building a more just and caring society. The department and the school value cultural diversity and inclusive educational practices as essential to the excellence of our academic programs. Our faculty have a strong commitment to diversity, high quality teaching, service, and applied scholarship. A commitment to excellent teaching at the undergraduate level in a Christian liberal arts context in the Wesleyan tradition and possessing a demonstrated or potential for high quality scholarship and service are essential for a successful candidate. In your application materials, we invite you to describe how your teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and/or community service reflect these values.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses (12 units per semester) that include courses in the candidate's area of expertise along with General Education and service courses.
• Advise and mentor students towards degree completion and post-graduate career plans.
• Commit to supporting an environment that facilitates optimal learning environments that enhance the experiences of historically underrepresented students.
• Use active learning strategies informed by cultural humility, inclusivity, anti-racism, equity, and faith integration.
• Engage in scholarly activities such as research, writing, and conference presentations to stay current with developments in social theory, innovative pedagogy, and current literature.
• Engage in off-campus community service and community-engaged research and scholarship when possible.
• Participate in departmental activities and meetings, governance, university service such as committee work.
• Collaborate with school and department faculty, including adjunct faculty to foster a sense of a supportive community and belonging.
• Contribute to program assessment and improvement to support recruitment, admissions, and retention efforts of students from all backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Sociology; candidates with a Masters in Sociology and a Ph.D. in closely related fields will be considered
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement
• Thorough commitment to the concept of Christian liberal arts education; desire to work in an evangelical institution in the Wesleyan tradition; supportive of the religious and educational goals of the university and its sponsoring denomination
• Demonstrated record or potential of outstanding teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to service
• Strong scholarship and commitment to advancing the field of sociology
• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, faculty agree to live in agreement with PLNU's Community Life Covenant.
• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local 'Fair Chance' laws.

Special Instructions:

When beginning your application, be prepared to answer these questions and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Personal Faith, including:
  • Sharing your personal testimony or faith journey
• Philosophy of Teaching in Christian Higher Education, including, but not limited to:
  • Integration of your faith into coursework and learning
  • Modeling your Christian faith to students in an authentic way
  • Encouraging students in their own spiritual journey
• Provide names and contacts for 3 references, at least one professional contact who can speak to your teaching potential, and one person in leadership at your church who can speak to your Christian character and church involvement (references will only be contacted if you are advanced as a finalist candidate)
• Unofficial Transcripts for highest degree completed

If you have questions about items for the application, please contact the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@pointloma.edu or the Search Committee chair at MelanieHulbert@pointloma.edu.