Assistant Professor – Sociology

We seek a candidate with demonstrated expertise and scholarship in rural health and aging, who will contribute to the needs of the department and be involved in the NIA-funded Southern Population Aging Research Center (www.sparc-aging.org). Candidates whose research is centered or has the capacity to be centered on the health of aging populations in Alabama and/or the Deep South will receive preference. All methodological approaches are welcome, but candidates with expertise in qualitative methods, mixed methods, and/or community-based participatory research are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will have a record of strong independent research in rural health and aging; experience with or potential for obtaining external funding; and a strong commitment to and evidence of quality instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in Sociology or a related field conferred by August 15, 2027.

The Department of Sociology offers a vibrant intellectual community focused on medical sociology and health-related topics. Interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching are prominent, and the department collaborates closely with multiple units across campus including the Center for the Study of Community Health, the Integrative Center for Aging Research, the Comprehensive Healthy Living Research Center, the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences. The department offers a B.A. Sociology, a B.S. in Medical Sociology, an M.A. in Sociology (online), and a Ph.D. in Medical Sociology. The department currently has about 60 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors, 35 professional master’s students, 25 Ph.D. students, and 13 full-time faculty members. Find more information on the department at www.uab.edu/cas/sociology.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is a world-class research university and academic health system with over $750 million in research awards annually, as well as Alabama’s largest single employer, with some 28,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact of more than $12.1 billion within the state. UAB enriches society and improves health and well-being through transformational educational experiences, groundbreaking research, innovation and entrepreneurship, community engagement, and world-class patient care while serving our UAB, local and global communities. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

Birmingham is a dynamic city anchoring a metropolitan area of 1.1 million people. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, it blends the energy of a major research center with an exceptional quality of life. The area is renowned for historic neighborhoods, thriving theater and live music scenes, and James Beard Award-winning restaurants. Outdoor recreation abounds, from local hiking and mountain biking trails to weekend getaways on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter (2 pages, highlighting how the candidate’s qualifications and experience prepare them for the position)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement (2–3 pages, describing the candidates current research and future research plans [including extramural funding] in rural health and aging)
• Writing Sample (a research paper, ideally in rural health and aging)
• Teaching Statement (2 pages, including evidence of teaching effectiveness)
• Letters of Recommendation (3–4 professional references, one of which must detail the timeline for degree completion for ABD candidates). Candidates will enter the name and contact information for each reference, who will be sent a link to directly submit their letter of recommendation.

To apply, please visit https://uab.peopleadmin.com/postings/28464.

Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions may be directed to Professor David F. Warner, Search Committee Chair (dwarner3@uab.edu).

Nondiscrimination Statement: UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at www.uab.edu/titleix (https://www.uab.edu/titleix/).

Pre-employment Background Check: A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.