Assistant Professor, T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD)

Job Description

The T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD) at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for Assistant Professor. This full-time, benefits-eligible, academic-year (9-month) faculty position will begin in August 2027. We will consider candidates eligible for appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor in August 2027 (e.g., current ABDs, recently completed Ph.D., postdoctoral scholars, current assistant professors).

Applications are encouraged from scholars across social science (broadly defined) with a Ph.D. in family science, human development, sociology, or a related social science field. The successful applicant will teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, have a strong publication record, obtain external research funding, and complement existing SSFD research and teaching priorities. We seek a scholar who can contribute to the work of our centers and initiatives as well as our upcoming degree programs and courses of study that focus on synergy across family science, human development, and sociology. Current priorities include research and teaching on themes related to youth, health, law, technology, child development and family life. We are particularly interested in candidates who would contribute to methodological training at the doctoral level in family and human development.

Guided by the ASU Charter, SSFD views inclusiveness and excellence as interconnected in the work of its faculty. SSFD is especially interested in candidates who have experience working with underserved populations and nontraditional (as well as traditional) learners, and a demonstrated commitment to improving inclusion in their academic communities. We are committed to building an inclusive faculty and seek candidates who will contribute to inclusion in higher education through their teaching, research, and service. 

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Masumi Iida ([email protected]) or Dr. Stephen Russell ([email protected]).

About the Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD)

At the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, we focus on helping individuals, families, communities, and social institutions succeed in the 21st century. We are committed to social research and community impact initiatives that help people thrive. We aim to understand people, relationships and communities, and use that knowledge to improve lives. We offer undergraduate and graduate programs in family and human development and sociology, as well as the marriage and family therapy program.

Our students gain experience through internships, community projects and research on topics that affect people and society. We are proud to be highly ranked for social science research, with projects exploring justice, relationships, gun culture and more. We have vital programs with over 2,000 undergraduate majors, 46 doctoral students, and 34 tenured or tenure-track faculty operating in a collegial and supportive environment. 

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Essential Functions

• Develop and strengthen a record of scholarly productivity as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and/or books, external funding, presentations at national conferences, and other translational, scholarly activities. 
• Teach undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in person, online, and/or hybrid modalities. 
• Advise and mentor students.
• Support SSFD programming and activities.
• Provide service contributions to the school, college, university, and profession.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in a social-scientific or related field (e.g., family science, human development, sociology, and other related social sciences fields) by time of appointment.
• Strong evidence of a novel research agenda, and demonstrated potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Desired Qualifications

• Potential or demonstrated excellence in quantitative methodology, including expertise in advanced statistical methods relevant to family and developmental science.
• Potential or demonstrated excellence in developing a nationally recognized research profile.
• Potential or demonstrated excellence in conducting research that will contribute to and enhance the national and international reputation of SSFD.
• Demonstrated ability to secure external funding to support research.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborating with our faculty members, staff, students, and external partners to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.

The application deadline is October 9, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:

1. Current Curriculum Vitae
2. A Cover Letter 
3. Research Statement (2 page maximum)
4. Teaching Statement (1 page limit) 
5. Name and contact information of three references (Name, email address, phone number) 
6. Two representative publications