Asst​/Assoc Professor, Sustainable - Department of Recreation, Sport Tourism

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a nine-month (paid over 12 months), tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Sustainable Change in Recreation or Tourism, with a preference for environmental and/or nature-based scholarship. We seek candidates with a strong, well‑defined research agenda and the ability to teach recreation or tourism courses, as well as other courses in the RST core curriculum.

This position builds on the Department’s interdisciplinary strengths in community and organizational development, individual health and wellbeing, sustainable change, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The start date for this position will be August 16, 2027.

• Conducting research with a focus on sustainable change in aspects of recreation or tourism, with a preference for environmental and/or nature-based scholarship.
• Building collaborative research partnerships with colleagues within the Department, College, and various disciplines across campus.
• Advising and directing student research, including theses and dissertations.
• Instructing undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Contributing to the Department's curriculum.
• Seeking external funding for research efforts.
• Serving on Department, College, and University committees.
• Engaging in professional and public service activities.

• Earned doctorate in recreation, tourism, or an affiliated field at the time of appointment. Applicants with ABD status will be considered, but the candidate must complete their doctoral degree prior to the position’s start date.
• Evidence of or potential to publish in top-tier peer-reviewed journals.
• Evidence of or potential to secure external funding to support one’s research program.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses within the RST department while demonstrating ability to make linkages among recreation, sport, and tourism.
• Ability to mentor doctoral and master’s students.
• Ability to contribute to the University and the Recreation, Sport and Tourism field through academic service and public engagement.

Faculty and staff of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign work to advance knowledge to foster healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship and sustainability, effective management and marketing of organizations, and social and economic development of communities (see (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). additional information). The department offers residential B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs, and an online M.S. program.

It also houses the Office of Park and Recreation Resources.

The RST Department is part of the College of Applied Health Sciences (see ) and affiliated with the Center for Health, Aging, and Disability (see  disability). The College houses the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (http://) (DRES), which includes the U.S. Paralympic Training Site for Wheelchair Track Racing. The College also houses the Chez Veterans Center (), which opened in 2015 to provide support services to empower student veterans, military-connected members, and their families.

Urbana-Champaign (located 135 miles south of Chicago) combines natural Midwestern beauty with the cultural resources typically found in larger…