Assistant Professor in Social Work

Posting Details

Job Title
Assistant Professor in Social Work

Requisition Number
FE04970

Working Title

Department Name
8T110:College of Social Work

Type of Position
Faculty

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track

Required Education
PhD in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or related field (ABD will be considered)

Required Related Experience
Strong potential for securing external funding and producing high-quality scholarship. Ability to foster, develop, and/or maintain positive professional relationships with local, state, federal, and private social work focused agencies/organizations/associations.

Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A

Job Summary
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.

To continue to advance our support infrastructure for CoSW, we invite applicants for a 9-month, tenure eligible, Assistant Professor in Social Work position in the Regular Title Series to begin as early as Spring or Fall 2027.

The University’s mission involves three primary functions across our faculty cohort: instruction, research, and service. Each year, various ranking faculty work with the Office of the Dean to delineate their distribution of effort (DOE). This DOE outlines how faculty will spend their time. In general, DOE for faculty members in the Regular Title Series typically includes allocations in the areas of instruction, research, and service. Of course, the DOE can fluctuate depending on an array of factors (e.g., grant funding, new course development, service to the college, etc.).

While the DOE is reviewed on an ongoing basis, faculty are expected to develop and maintain a dynamic, externally funded research program and strong record of high-impact scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations, etc.). In addition, successful candidates are expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses. It is expected that work in this faculty appointment, including but not limited to course instruction, office hours, administrative meetings, and attending college-wide events such as faculty meetings, will occur on-site.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with many rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, 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 local, state, federal, and private social work focused agencies/organizations/associations

Procedure for Candidacy
Applicants are requested to submit the following:

• Letter of interest detailing applicant’s goodness of fit for the position, a brief discussion of research agenda, and relevant teaching experience (upload as Cover Letter)
• Curriculum Vitae (upload as Resume)
• Research statement that summarizes applicant’s current interests, trajectory, and impact on the social work field (upload as Specific Request #1)
• Contact information for at least three professional references (upload as Specific Request #2)

We anticipate this search will run from October through December 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until positions are filled.

Inquiries about the position can be emailed to UKCOSW@uky.edu.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply
Open Until Filled
Yes

Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.