Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK (CoSW) is a renowned leader in higher education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways. As the state’s flagship university, CoSW is committed to actualizing our mission through innovative, accessible academic programming.

CoSW is home to several undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, including: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (traditional and online), Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (traditional and online), Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (traditional and online), Master of Science in Criminal Justice (online), Master of Social Work (hybrid and online), Doctorate of Social Work (online), Ph.D. in Social Work (traditional), and multiple certificate programs. In addition to Lexington’s main campus, we have a satellite campus at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

About the role

We invite applicants for a 9-month, tenure-eligible, Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice position in the Regular Title Series to begin as early as Spring or Fall 2027. The University’s mission involves three primary functions: instruction, research, and service. Faculty work with the Office of the Dean to delineate their distribution of effort (DOE), which outlines time allocation across these areas. While the DOE is reviewed on an ongoing basis, faculty are expected to develop and maintain a dynamic, externally funded research program and a strong record of high-impact scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations). Successful candidates will teach undergraduate and graduate courses. Work in this faculty appointment, including course instruction, office hours, administrative meetings, and college-wide events, will occur on-site.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a dynamic, externally funded research program.
• Produce high-impact scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations).
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice.
• Foster, develop, and/or maintain positive professional relationships with local, state, federal, and private criminal justice agencies/organizations.

Requirements

• PhD in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Social Work, or related field (ABD will be considered).
• Strong potential for securing external funding and producing high-quality scholarship.
• Ability to foster, develop, and/or maintain positive professional relationships with criminal justice-focused agencies/organizations.

Benefits

Employment at UK includes a focus on total well-being and career development, with strong work-life integration. The university provides generous contributions to retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. Optional benefits include dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans, and more.