Department/Organization
217401 - Consumer Sciences

Rank
Assistant Professor

Position Summary
The Department of Consumer Sciences in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Alabama is seeking an Assistant Professor to collaborate with existing faculty to expand undergraduate and graduate programs in one or more of the following areas: consumer affairs, consumer economics, and family financial planning and counseling.

Detailed Position Information
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses on campus and online; build and maintain a nationally-recognized research agenda; serve on department, college, and university committees; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and seek external funding to support both instruction and research.

The successful candidate will have completed a doctoral degree in family resource management, consumer economics, applied economics, housing, or a closely related field prior to employment. The successful candidate will have provided evidence of effective teaching; evidence of either an emerging or established publication record appropriate for position rank; evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational settings; and evidence of involvement with relevant professional organizations. Experience developing and teaching both online and on-campus graduate courses in financial planning, personal finance, consumer economics, or closely related field is desirable. To be hired as an assistant professor, a doctoral degree must be conferred prior to the start date or the offer may be withdrawn.

The department offers a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Sciences where students may select a concentration in either consumer affairs or family financial planning and counseling. Undergraduate students may also earn minors in conflict resolution, personal finance, and digital consumer engagement. The department also offers a master’s degree in Consumer Sciences. Graduate student concentration areas include consumer economics and family financial planning and counseling. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who may teach in two concentration and/or minor areas. The department also offers a graduate certificate in conflict resolution. These degree options are currently pursued by approximately 150 undergraduate majors, 200 minors, and 90 graduate students.

Responsibilities:

•Teach undergraduate and graduate courses as needed on campus and online.
•Establish and maintain a nationally-recognized research program.
•Serve on department, college, and university committees.
•Recruit, mentor, and advise students undergraduate and graduate students.
•Seek external funding to support instruction, service, and/or research.

Minimum Qualifications
•Ph.D. in consumer sciences, consumer affairs, family resource management, financial planning, consumer economics, family finance, applied economics, housing, or a closely related field required.
•Evidence of the ability to teach undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in the consumer science content areas offered by the department.
•Evidence of an emerging or established research program in consumer sciences, family resource management, financial planning, financial counseling, or closely-related area.
•Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching and research settings.

Preferred Qualifications
If candidate’s background and training indicate that they would teach courses in our Family Financial Planning and Counseling concentration area, then current CFP® and/or AFC® is preferred.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Review of applicants will begin immediately, but priority consideration will be given for candidates who have applied by October 6th. A 1/1/24 start date would be welcomed, but an 8/16/24 start date is also possible. Applicants should submit: 1) Cover letter that describes the applicant’s qualifications including evidence of a commitment to further The University of Alabama’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 2) Curriculum vitae. 3) List of three professional references who may be contacted for letters of reference at a later date.

About the Division/College/School
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.

About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.

A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.

As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.

It's a vibrant community that’s filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that’s complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It’s within a few hours’ drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South’s finest offerings.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

About University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

As the state’s flagship university, The University of Alabama family has always focused on being the best. After all, we are The Capstone of Higher Education. Founded in 1831 as the state’s first public college, The University of Alabama is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and service. We provide a creative, nurturing campus environment where our students can become the best individuals possible, learn from the best and brightest faculty, and make a positive difference in the community, the state and the world. You’ll like what you find here. Become part of The University of Alabama family.

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