Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Department of Human Behavior, Research, and Policy, School of Social Work

Boston University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work in our Department of Human Behavior, Research, and Policy beginning Fall 2027.

We invite applicants with a strong commitment to justice focused, anti-oppressive practice, scholarship, and teaching whose research focuses on children, youth, and families. We are especially interested in scholars working in one or more of the following areas: child welfare and child protection; school social work and school-based services; early childhood development and early care and education; children’s mental and behavioral health; and child, youth, and family policy.

Strong quantitative analytic skills are central to this position. We seek candidates with demonstrated expertise in advanced methods and experience working with complex or large-scale datasets, who are prepared to teach and mentor students in quantitative research methods at the MSW and doctoral levels. We welcome scholarship that pairs quantitative rigor with qualitative or community-engaged approaches, but quantitative expertise is a core expectation.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

As one of the nation’s top schools of social work, Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, research, and evidence-based and anti-oppressive practice to solve the most pressing societal problems of the 21st century. We are particularly committed to having an impact in all aspects of health, for individuals, groups, families, and society as a whole—as evidenced by the dual degree we offer with BU’s School of Public Health, and by our three research centers (Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH), Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER), and The Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity and Healthy Development (IECOHD)).

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas. We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Required Skills

Requirements: Candidates should have:

• a doctoral degree in social work or related field (e.g., sociology, psychology, public health, public policy) by the time of appointment
• demonstrated expertise in advanced quantitative methods
• an active research agenda, evidence of scholarly productivity, and promise of future research funding

Preferred:

• MSW degree
• Experience teaching quantitative methods or policy courses critical to doctoral and MSW curricula
• Research focus in one or more of the priority areas described above including their health and behavioral health dimensions

 

To Apply:

Application materials must be sent to swsearch@bu.edu.

The application deadline is October 15th or until the position is filled. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Please submit a cover letter, current CV, 2-3 writing samples, and the names and contact information for three references.

If possible, please provide at least one scholarly publication as a writing sample, and clarify your role on multi-author publications. In your cover letter, please describe your research agenda, teaching skills and experience, and practice experience, and (if applicable) describe how your work relates to the areas of interest detailed earlier in this announcement.

In your cover letter, we welcome a description of how, as a teacher, researcher, scholar, and/or practitioner, you demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of the social work profession and/or how you would support BU School of Social Work’s ongoing efforts towards the same. 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

 

Required Experience