Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS :

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty staff technical service or student) please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here apply internally through Workday.

CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here apply internally through Workday.

If you are NOT a current employee or student please click Apply and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work additional information on remote work at Penn State see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

This is a nine-month tenure-track position in rural sociology at the assistant or associate professor level with a 60% research and 40% teaching responsibility. Teaching expectations will be three courses per year in the Rural Sociology graduate program and the Community Environment and Development undergraduate program with the possibility of teaching contributions to the Community and Economic Development online masters program. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program focused on population health rural health health disparities and / or population aging. Candidates giving attention to spatial disparities or dimensions of these issues are encouraged to apply though it is not a requirement. The successful candidate will also be expected to develop a robust publication record secure external funding and advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. This position is co-funded by Penn States Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). SSRI supports interdisciplinary research by bringing together researchers across the university around emerging areas and by providing consultation seed grants and core research resources.

Qualifications : Doctorate in rural sociology sociology demography or related field. Applications from scholars with quantitative research methods skills are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must have completed all degree requirements by the appointment date. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams. The ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty staff and students is required and the successful candidate will actively strive to provide an inclusive learning environment for all.

Application Requirements : Review of applications will begin on January 20 2026 with a start date of July 1 2026 or as negotiated. Candidates should provide a cover letter curriculum vitae names and contact information for three references up to three representative publications or working papers a statement of research experiences / future interests and a statement of teaching / pedagogy related to the position description. Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with university policies. Questions can be directed to the Search Committee chair : Leif Jensen Distinguished Professor of Rural Sociology and Demography ( ).

The Department of Agricultural Economics Sociology and Education (AESE) is a welcoming community with our scholarship focusing on people society and economic systems grounded in theory and methods from the social economic and behavioral sciences. Faculty and students develop and employ rigorous approaches to discover fundamental and applied principles that advance science in their core disciplines. AESE strives to improve the health prosperity and welfare of people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond. Our core areas for teaching and research are (1) Agricultural and Food Systems (2) Community Development and Engagement (3) Environment and Natural Resources and (4) Population Processes in Global Perspective. The Department offers three resident and one online graduate programs and oversees four undergraduate majors. For more information visit our site at CHECKS / CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional addition to comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988 Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security such as those concerning alcohol and drug use crime prevention the reporting of crimes sexual assault and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability please contact .

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity respect and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the universitys teaching research and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

AI,Genetics,Clinical Trials,Pharmacy Residency,Research Experience,Teaching,Higher Education Teaching,Curriculum Development,Grant Writing,Program Development,Mentoring,Research Laboratory Experience

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1