Job Description
The Department of Sociology at Virginia Tech in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to begin August 2027.
We are seeking a candidate with a research program in criminology, broadly defined. Applicants from all areas of specialization are welcome, though we have particular interest in scholars whose work advances the sociological understanding of drugs, violence, and/or the use of technology in crime or surveillance. Teaching responsibilities will include a range of criminology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The standard teaching load is two courses per semester.
Applicants must have a Ph. D. in sociology or criminology by the time of appointment, with a record of excellence in teaching and research commensurate with the level of appointment. Proven grant potential is preferred. Applicants must demonstrate willingness and ability to contribute to the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, to the Department's collegial and collaborative intellectual community, and to the University's Principles of Community.
Required Qualifications
- Applicants must have a Ph. D. in sociology or criminology by the time of appointment
- A record of scholarly productivity
- Potential for excellence in research
- Potential for high-quality teaching in a collegiate environment
How to Apply
Screening of applications will begin October 14, 2026 (will adjust based on posting date). Please submit:
- A CV
- A cover letter that will serve as a personal/research statement
- A publication sample
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness
- Names and contact information for 3 professional references
Please direct questions to Dr. Katalin Patri, Search Committee Chair, Department of Sociology, McBryde Hall (0137), Blacksburg, VA 24061 | Phone: (540) 231-6046 | Email: kparti@vt.edu
About the Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers bachelor's, master's, and Ph. D. degrees in Sociology. Graduate students can concentrate in Women's and Gender Studies or Africana Studies. A graduate certificate in Women's and Gender Studies is also offered. The Department also contributes to the interdisciplinary Appalachian Cultures and Environments minor.
The Department of Sociology collaborates with the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention and the Cybercriminology Lab. While areas of research and teaching within criminology are open, we are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the growth and development of these research centers. The Department of Sociology is recognized for excellence in interdisciplinary research, and we encourage scholars with interest in working with interdisciplinary teams. The department's faculty have established relations with colleagues in the School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Public Administration and Policy, Electrical and Computing Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, and Science and Technology Studies, and programs in the National Capital Region.
Overtime StatusExempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience, with a range of $75,000 to $83,000
Hours per week
*
Review Date
October 14, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Rhonda Hawley at rhondah@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.