Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology

Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology

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Posting Details

Posting Details

Logo Institution South Dakota State University Working Title Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology Posting Number F01794P Department SDSU-School of Psych, Soc & Rural Studies Physical Location of Position (City) Brookings Posting Text

The School of Psychology, Sociology, and Rural Studies at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Rural Sociology, with an anticipated start date of Fall of 2026. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this is a nine-month, full-time, benefit-eligible position.

The Rural Sociologist will serve as the Operations Manager for the Center for Rural Vitality and Community Well-being (CRVCW) and engage collaboratively with SDSU Extension faculty and staff. We seek applicants with expertise in rural communities, community development, or rural and environmental sociology, who can advance the CRVCW's mission. Key responsibilities include interdisciplinary research, community engagement, center management, funding acquisition, and teaching/mentoring.

This position is 90% Extension, 10% Teaching and reports to the Director of the School of Psychology, Sociology, and Rural Studies.

The School of Psychology, Sociology & Rural Studies offers undergraduate majors in Criminology, Psychology, and Sociology; and undergraduate minors in Criminal Justice, Mental Health Services, Psychology, and Sociology and a Ph.D. in Social Science.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Collaborative research engagement (35%):
Develop applied R1-level interdisciplinary research programs that address current issues associated with rural vitality and community well-being:

* Engagement of researchers across the SDSU campus and collaboration with other regional or national centers/agencies/institutions.

* Rural vitality (e.g., workforce, housing, natural resources, transportation, economic development, sustainability).

* Community well-being (e.g., healthcare services, safety, recreational access and variety, social engagement, professional/leadership development, social-behavioral care across the lifespan).

* Utilization of appropriate and fundable frameworks in the development of research programs and initiatives, e.g., ecological systems theory, coupled-human and natural systems (CHANS), community capitals framework.

* Community engagement (30%):

* Bridging stakeholders representing the environment, the agricultural sector, and rural communities with applied interdisciplinary research teams at SDSU.

* Transforming research into applied knowledge through service and education programs or initiatives.

* Center management and funding acquisition (25%):

* Center Operations Manager:
Day-to-day administrative and managerial oversight of Center functions and staff, e.g., post-doctoral staff members and graduate assistants.

* Promoting and supporting data service-delivery and products to rural communities.

* Securing appropriate extramural funding to support CRVCW Mission and Scope.

* Teaching and mentoring (10%):

* Teaching undergraduate/graduate classes for interdisciplinary students, e.g., "The Sociology of Rural America."

* Mentoring undergraduate and graduate research; contribute to graduate programming efforts in the School of Psychology, Sociology & Rural Studies and other SDSU colleges/academic units.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* Completion of Ph.D. in Sociology (by start date).

* Evidence of productive research with a focus on environmental or rural sociology or community development.

* Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* An understanding of and experience with the land-grant Extension mission.

* Three or more years of administrative/managerial experience within an academic or research setting.

* Record of leadership in securing extramural funding with federal agencies, e.g., USDA, EPA, NIH, or NSF.

* Experience working with USDA (e.g., Rural Development, NIFA) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (e.g., Smart Growth initiative) or other relevant federal agencies.

* Strong evidence of interdisciplinary research focused on environmental sociology, rural sociology, or community development.

* Experience teaching at the university level

* Experience mentoring…