Assistant Professor - Human Development and Family Sciences Program (PHLS)

The Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences at the University of Houston seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor for the Human Development and Family Sciences program. We are seeking a productive scholar committed to excellence in undergraduate education. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to, socialization processes and contexts, parent-child relationships in childhood or adolescence, and socio-emotional development and/or health and well-being. Research programs incorporating application of advanced quantitative methods are desirable but not required. The Department is seeking outstanding candidates with potential for an externally funded research program, excellence in teaching, and clear commitment to service and community engagement.    

As part of an ambitious Carnegie-designated Tier One research institution, the University of Houston College of Education works to improve health and educational outcomes for all people and communities through inspired teaching, innovative scholarship, and strong partnerships. Housed in the nation’s fourth-largest city, UH is a public research university with more than 46,000 students and 6,200 faculty and staff. 

Together, at the University of Houston, we dare to dream big dreams and we collaborate to achieve them. Building on a trajectory of accelerated research activity and rising graduation rates, UH is pursuing a bold initiative to become a top 50 public university. New faculty will join a Big 12 institution with a growing number of nationally funded research centers and an aggressive agenda to leverage science to make a transformative impact locally, nationally, and across the globe. With a relentless focus on student success, we are committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience that empowers students to lead. 

The Houston metropolitan area offers scholars rich urban and suburban environments in which to work and live – as well as opportunities for international research and study. The region is home to world-class museums, cultural events, and restaurants, as well as the renowned Texas Medical Center and nearly 50 public school districts. 

In the College of Education, our faculty and staff are united around five key beliefs: Our responsibility is to improve lives; achieving success for everyone requires inspiring collective action; greater understanding depends on rigorous scientific inquiry; various perspectives and talents fuel excellence; and transformation requires challenging and valuing ourselves and others. These tenets drive us as we prepare future teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, health specialists, researchers, and other leaders in their fields. We seek experienced and ambitious colleagues whose research and teaching are strategically aligned with our ongoing cross-disciplinary work to address health and educational disparities

Responsibilities include conducting innovative research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals; securing external funding to support a coherent program of research; rigorous teaching in undergraduate courses; mentoring students; serving on student committees; community engagement; presenting research at professional meetings; and service to the Department, College, University, and profession. HDFS is an undergraduate program and will be the successful applicant’s primary affiliation. However, HDFS faculty who wish to facilitate work with graduate students may opt to also affiliate with one of three PHLS doctoral programs: Measurement, Quantitative Methods, & Learning Sciences (MQMLS); Counseling Psychology; or School Psychology. 

This is a nine-month appointment. Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is Fall 2024. Salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and experience and will include benefits. Please contact Dr. Julie Dunsmore ([email protected] ; 713-743-7845), Search Committee Chair, should you have any follow-up questions.

To apply, the following materials should be uploaded online:  

• A cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position, plus succinct (2 to 3 page) descriptions of (a) research interests and evidence of scholarly impact, including history of or potential for external funding, and (b) teaching philosophy and experience. 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information of at least 3 references 

The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and recognizes protected classes of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, religion, age (40 and above), national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or status, and gender expression as required by federal law. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Applicants for this position must hold a doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, Developmental Psychology, or a related discipline. Priority will be placed on applicants whose scholarship (a) explores socialization processes and contexts; (b) considers parent-child relationships and their impact on child or adolescent development; (c) addresses socio-emotional development or health/well-being; and (d) connects with other programmatic expertise in the College, particularly quantitative methodologies. A Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential is desirable but not required.