Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

University of Alabama

October 9, 2026

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences at The University of Alabama, seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies. Areas of particular interest include addiction science, broadly defined (e.g., risk/protective factors, prevention, treatment, recovery); child life; and developmental and family processes across adulthood. However, the department welcomes applications from scholars with expertise across the broad field of HDFS.

We place priority on the selection of an applicant with an active research agenda as demonstrated by a strong record of peer-reviewed research publications and strong potential for externally funded research. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust scholarly research program with external support; teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses; advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and engage in professional service at the campus, community, state, and/or national level.

• 1. A doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies, Developmental Science, Psychology, or a related field;
• 2. Evidence of scholarly work, including a strong research record, professional publications/presentations and/or participation in grant submissions or success at grant funding;
• 3. Teaching experience in higher education;
• 4. Strong interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication skills.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the Final date to receive applications:
November 1, 2026.

Applicants with questions should contact Dr. Sherwood Burns-Nader at esburns.

Expected start date of appointment is August 16, 2027.

At the College of Human Environmental Sciences, we empower students to bring about positive change in the world. Our faculty conduct advanced research, provide outreach and prepare a new generation of professionals with a shared goal of improving lives.

CHES brings together a wide range of disciplines which focus on the interaction between individuals, families and the environment. Five distinct departments cover a multitude of human science programs that help individuals across the lifespan improve their mental, physical and financial well-being. We touch people’s lives in the home, at school, in the workplace, at the dinner table, on the athletic field, and in a myriad of other arenas.

The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.

In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Education Opportunity Institution.

Full time

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa , AL 35487

United States