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Assistant Professor & Open Rank Position (Tenure-track) - School of Social Work
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Assistant Professor & Open Rank Position (Tenure-track) - School of Social Work at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Wayne State University is searching for up to two (2) tenure-track or tenured faculty members, one at open rank and one at the rank of Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work.
The School of Social Work at Wayne State University invites applications for up to two full-time, tenure-track or tenured faculty positions to begin August 2027: one open rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor), and one at the rank of Assistant Professor. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates whose research and practice advance the well-being of urban communities like Detroit. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work emphasizes one or more of the following areas: behavioral health and the criminal legal system (e.g., crisis response, diversion, juvenile justice, and reentry); eco-social work (e.g., trauma-informed disaster response, environmental organizing, & nature-based interventions); global social work (e.g., immigrant and refugee communities, human rights, sustainable development goals); and health (e.g., gerontology, substance use, disability, policy). Applicants need not fit within a single area and may work across them.
The Wayne State University School of Social Work, accredited since 1945, is situated in a dynamic urban setting in Midtown, the heart of Detroit's Cultural and Historic District, and is committed to the urban mission of social work practice. The School offers BSW, MSW, and PhD programs and is home to two centers: the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, which supports communities, organizations, and behavioral health and criminal-legal agencies through the implementation of evidence-based practices, and the Center for Social Work Research, which supports faculty research, scholarship, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. More information can be found at: socialwork.wayne.edu.
Faculty members in the School of Social Work contribute to the School's research, teaching, and service missions. The successful candidates will be expected to conduct independent research, including maintaining an active record of peer-reviewed publication and pursuing external funding; teach across the School's BSW, MSW, and/or PhD curricula; advise and mentor students; and participate in service assignments of importance to the School, the University, and the profession.
Qualifications:
An earned doctorate in social work or a related field (e.g., anthropology, psychology, political science, criminal justice, geography, public health, or sociology). Applicants who have entered doctoral candidacy (ABD) will be considered; the dissertation must be filed by the appointment start date for appointment to the Assistant Professor rank.
Record of scholarly publications (published, in press, or under review).
Academic accomplishments commensurate with appointment at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank.
Applications must be made online at jobs.wayne.edu. Applicants should upload: (a) a curriculum vitae; (b) a two-page cover letter describing your research interests and trajectory, your teaching philosophy, and the areas of the School's BSW, MSW, or PhD curricula you are prepared to teach; and (c) the names and full contact information of three references. For full consideration, applications should be received by September 21, 2026; review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Questions may be directed to Dr. Bryan Victor, Search Committee Chair (bvictor@wayne.edu).
Preferred qualifications:
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution with 2 years post-MSW practice experience. An independent research trajectory. For candidates at the Assistant Professor rank, demonstrated potential for external funding; for candidates at the Associate or Full Professor rank, a record of secured external funding. Strong analytic ability (e.g., data science, quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed methods analysis); experience in primary data collection. Teaching experience and expertise in BSW, MSW, or PhD curricular areas. Experience with community-engaged research or community-engaged teaching. A track record of interpersonal skills that facilitate communication and connection bridging communities and multiple disciplines (e.g., social science, nursing, health sciences, engineering, humanities).
School/College/Division:
H13 - School of Social Work
Primary department:
H13 - School of Social Work
Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Academic/Faculty

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary

Working conditions:
This position must be filled pursuant to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, and as such may be filled by a qualified bargaining unit member, should one apply.
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 2

Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.