Position Description

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University invites applications and nominations for the David R. Pokross Professor of Law and Social Policy, a 12-month tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. We are seeking an energetic, dynamic visionary to address racial and economic justice in teaching, research, and practice, both as a Chair of the Assets and Inequality doctoral concentration and Director of the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP). The Heller School is looking for candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship with a track record funded research and public engagement. We hope to identify a future colleague for whom our tagline, “knowledge advancing social justice,” resonates.

As Chair, the candidate selected for this position will help lead the Assets and Inequalities concentration for PhD students, including admissions, curriculum, comprehensive exams, and mentoring/advising. As Director, the candidate will carry on our tradition of excellence within IASP to conduct research that advances economic opportunity and equity for individuals and families, particularly households of color and those kept out of the economic mainstream. Working at the intersections of academia, policy, and practice, IASP partners with diverse communities to transform structures, policies, and narratives. Grounded in a social justice tradition, our research informs strategic action for racial and economic justice to achieve an inclusive, equitable society. IASP’s work currently centers around three overarching areas: racial wealth equity, work and opportunity pathways, and community and housing stability. Projects range from short-term community-engaged evaluations to large-scale multi-year research endeavors. At any given time, our staff includes an equivalent of 10 FTEs, working on about 10-12 externally-funded projects, and approximately 8-10 graduate research assistants. We invite candidates with innovative approaches to enhance and expand this vision.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership. Play a lead role in expanding the Heller School’s research portfolio through fundraising and developing new areas of research, as well as helping to recruit highly qualified policy researchers to support the work. In particular, we are seeking candidates with a strong interest in applied research and generating knowledge to inform public policy.

• Scholarship. Play a lead role in expanding the Heller School’s research portfolio in assets and social policy through directing research projects, working collaboratively to conceptualize new areas of applied research and practice, and disseminating scholarship through publication in peer review journals and other scholarly and policy outlets.

• Teaching and Mentoring. Advise PhD and Master’s students in the Assets and Inequality concentration. Serve on PhD dissertation committees. Teach courses Heller’s graduate programs, as appropriate.

• Policy Influence. Conduct public engagement. This could include participation in activities related to research and policy through any number of venues including sitting on national committees, working closely with public agencies on policy and programs, or testifying before Congress.

The ideal candidate should have minimum of 8 years of experience after obtaining graduate education and a doctorate or other terminal degree in sociology, economics, public policy, social policy, anthropology, law, political science, or similar field. The candidate should have familiarity with key academic theories in the field (e.g., intersectionality, critical race theory), and demonstrate a record of scholarship that is tenurable at Brandeis University. The candidate should have a demonstrated ability to acquire grant and contract research funding and to work with funding organizations to expand partnerships and collaborations. In addition, the candidate should have record of engagement with the larger academic field that is consistent with IASP’s goal of producing applied research that exposes and addresses inequality and promotes equity.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and letter of application. All applications will be treated confidentially. Final candidates will be asked to submit three confidential letters of reference. Brandeis University is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in faculty scholarship, teaching, and service; applicants are encouraged to address these goals in their letter. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2019; however, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Questions about the position can be directed to Darren Zinner, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Personnel (dzinner@brandeis.edu).

All applications should be sent through the Brandeis University Job portal.

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1948, Brandeis University is a private, nonsectarian research university with a liberal arts focus located 10 miles west of Boston. Its schools include a College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, an International Business School and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Brandeis is ranked among the top 35 colleges and universities by U.S. News & World Report and is renowned for its exceptional research capacity.

Brandeis was founded by the American Jewish community as a non-sectarian university, with particular emphasis on being welcoming and inclusive toward people of all backgrounds and beliefs. The university’s core values are rooted in Jewish history and culture, including a respect for learning, an emphasis on critical thinking, and a drive to make the world a better place through one’s talents and actions.

THE HELLER SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

The Heller School is an internationally recognized leader in social policy research, teaching, and service and is ranked among the top 10 schools of social policy by U.S. News & World Report. Since its founding in 1959, the Heller School has endeavored to answer a pioneering question: how can we use policy to work towards the well-being of all members of society? The Heller School advances its mission through the graduate education of students in its seven core academic programs, the pursuit of applied interdisciplinary research in its ten research centers and institutes, and active public engagement across sectors and disciplines. The Heller School constantly examines policies and programs that respond to inequities and disparities among social groups in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Brandeis University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating equitable access and opportunities for applicants for all employment positions. We value and are seeking candidates that represent a variety of social identities, including those what have been underrepresented in higher education. Diversity in its student body, staff and faculty is important to Brandeis’ primary mission. The search committee is therefore particularly interested in candidates who, through their creative endeavors, teaching and/or service experiences, will increase Brandeis’ reputation for academic excellence and better prepare its students to participate within a pluralistic society.

Location of position:

Waltham, MA 02454

Applications should be sent to::

https://careers.brandeis.edu/psp/CAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=528138&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1