Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)

College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Child Development in Diverse Contexts

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) seeks outstanding candidates for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank, focused on child/youth development in diverse contexts. We aim to expand our existing strengths in studying children and youth within contexts and seek strong applicants who bring expertise in (a) middle childhood and/or adolescent development, (b) Latinx children, youth, and families and their social worlds, and/or (3) apply innovative, rigorous, and contextual research methods to understand developmental and relational processes among children, youth, and families. This position is a 9-month academic appointment set to begin in Fall 2025. Responsibilities include growing a productive and impactful research program with external funding success and effective/supportive mentorship of graduate students, teaching three courses per year, providing service and leadership to the unit and the discipline, and contributing to the advancement of the department’s mission and values.

The mission of the Department of HDFS (www.hdfs.illinois.edu) is to address contemporary social issues that affect children, youth, adults, and families through high-quality research, teaching, and outreach programs. We promote the health and well-being of individuals and families in changing societal contexts through state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative research methods, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research collaborations, and innovative community engagement efforts grounded in evidence. Through premier undergraduate and graduate programs, we are committed to recruiting and training the next generation of leaders, scholars, and educators to address the needs of individuals and families in a changing society. We are also committed to nurturing a department culture where diverse faculty, staff, and students welcome and appreciate each other. A shared value of diverse cultures, communities, and family structures, and a strong commitment to antiracism, unites HDFS. We believe that diversity benefits and enriches the development of all and, thus, we strongly encourage individuals from all racial and ethnic backgrounds to apply for this position.

HDFS is in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Human thriving is a core value of ACES that drives our collective efforts to improve the quality of life of people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world (www.aces.illinois.edu). ACES affords unique opportunities for working across disciplines and geographies, collaborating with Illinois Extension, and internationalizing one’s research and/or teaching.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) is consistently ranked in the top fifty universities worldwide. The Illinois library and its related information and technology programs are unmatched, and access to a wealth of information and data resources is outstanding. Our Champaign-Urbana community is diverse, welcoming, and blends the best of micro-urban living with easy access to Chicago.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also values the well-being of its faculty and staff and offers a supportive work environment with a focus on work/life balance. We are committed to supporting family-friendly policies and are keen to attract faculty who are looking to integrate their professional and personal lives effectively.

Position: Nine-month, full-time, benefits-eligible tenure-track position. The position begins on August 16, 2025. Applications received by October 15, 2024, will receive priority. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after the closing date. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.  Work for this position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis as per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

To apply: Submit your application by October 15, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, including (1) a cover letter addressing how your qualifications and professional goals are relevant to the posted job description, (2) CV, and (3) names and contact information of three references. The search committee may request letters of reference and additional documents from a small number of finalists. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information regarding this position, please visit our web page https://hdfs.illinois.edu, or contact Search Committee Chair Dr. Nancy McElwain (217) 244-7168 or mcelwn@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact at 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirements, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885 or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1026395
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Required Qualifications:

• An earned Ph.D. (or doctoral level) degree in Human Development and Family Studies or related field; doctorate must be completed prior to the start date.
• Substantive expertise in middle childhood, adolescence, and/or Latinx children, youth, and families.
• Evidence of a systematic and impactful research program with the ability and commitment to secure external funding. Funding potential and success will be evaluated commensurate to the applicant’s rank.
• Record of effective teaching and commitment to mentoring diverse graduate and undergraduate students. Teaching and mentoring will be evaluated commensurate to the applicant’s rank.
• Ability and desire to collaborate with other HDFS and University of Illinois faculty.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About University of Illinois Human Development and Family Studies

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is comprised of highly productive faculty committed to addressing challenges regarding human development, relationships, and families through cutting-edge research, award-winning instruction, and culturally sensitive outreach. HDFS faculty and student scholarship is always conducted with a view to relevant contextual issues and to practical implications be they for community or health professionals, families/parents, schools/teachers/youth program leaders, or policymakers.

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