Open Rank, Tenured/Tenure Track Professor in Social Work - 2 positions

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 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.

About the Role

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. Successful candidates will contribute to KUSSW’s nationally recognized educational programs through excellence in teaching and mentoring.

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. The allocation of effort is 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service.

Responsibilities

• Establish a community-engaged research program focused on advancing racial, social, economic, and/or environmental justice.
• Publish scholarly manuscripts and engage in scholarly and community-based publications and presentations.
• Impact the local, national, and/or international community with research.
• Teach two classes per semester (four classes per year) across the BSW, MSW, PhD, and DSW curricula.
• Participate in school, university, community, and professional service activities.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Social Work or an M.S.W. with a Ph.D. in a closely related field by August 2027.
• A research agenda focused on advancing social, racial, economic, and/or environmental justice, with evidence of scholarly productivity and a record of, or strong potential for, securing externally funded research.
• Teaching experience in a CSWE-accredited social work program.
• Demonstrated commitment to social work values and the KUSSW mission, vision, and guiding principles.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications by Rank

• Associate Professor: All of the above plus a productive record of teaching excellence in social work and demonstrated excellent scholarship as shown through publications that have enabled the candidate to be successfully promoted to an Associate Professor at a research-oriented university of a similar or higher research profile as the University of Kansas.
• Full Professor: All of the above plus an established record of teaching excellence in social work and a sustained record of excellent scholarship as shown through publications that have enabled the candidate to be successfully promoted to Full Professor at a research-oriented university of a similar or higher research profile as the University of Kansas.

About 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 academic programs through research, programs, and services.

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 the partnership site at Kansas State University - Salina. Fully online DSW and MSW programs are also available.

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. KU 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 representing 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, and more than 400 degree and certificate programs. KU 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.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Review of applications will begin September 14, 2026, and continue until the positions are filled. The anticipated start date is August 18, 2027.