Associate Professor/Professor

Employer: The University of Kansas
Location: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

View more categoriesView less categories

Employment Type: Full Time
Institution Type: Four-Year Institution

Apply on website

Send job

Job Details
Organization

Position OverviewThe University of Kansas School of Law invites applications for both entry-level associate professor and lateral tenure-track/tenured professor candidates for one position to begin in the fall of 2027. Our primary curricular needs are in 1L and core upper-level courses. We invite a plurality of scholarly agendas, methodologies, and perspectives, ranging from traditional doctrinal to empirical to critical-analytical to interdisciplinary scholarship.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining unit between The University of Kansas and United Academics, that UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and that it is their right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

KU Law ranks among the top 50 law schools in the nation and lands at #24 among public law schools according to recent U.S. News & World Report Rankings. Law faculty are active scholars, researchers, and subject matter experts in their fields. KU ranks #19 among public law schools for scholarly impact. Many professors are authors of textbooks and casebooks used in classes at KU and in law schools across the U.S. and overseas.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The University of Kansas is a Carnegie doctoral/research-extensive university with a $2.7 billion endowment and a faculty of 3,571. Current enrollment is 31,169 (22,544 undergraduate). Students come from 116 nations and all 50 states; 26.6% of KU students are members of minority groups. The 1,000-acre main campus is in Lawrence, a community of 96,000 in hilly northeast Kansas that lies about 35 miles west of Kansas City. Lawrence has a lively downtown and a thriving arts and music scene, and its local government has enacted ordinances supporting equality for all members of its population. Lawrence also offers numerous sports and recreational opportunities, local shops, and a wide range of good restaurants.
Job Description40% - Classroom teaching and counseling students

Teach courses in the School of Law to meet the needs of the School.
Mentor law students.
Provide academic advising to law students.
Hold regular office hours.

40% - Conducting and publishing research

Demonstrate sustained productivity through publications and presentations for national and international academic and professional audiences.
Participate in scholarly workshops at the School of Law.

20% - Providing service to the law school, university, and the legal profession.

Participate in the regular academic activities of the School of Law, including attending faculty meetings, actively participating in faculty hiring, completing committee assignments, and attending major School of Law functions.
Provide general service to the School of Law and University.
Participate in professional service within the legal academy or legal profession, such as committee work for local, regional, national, or international professional associations like the Association of American Law Schools, the American Bar Association, or state and local bar associations.

COLLEGIALITY – Faculty members are expected to meet satisfactory standards of performance in all three areas of responsibility and to carry out those responsibilities in accordance with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.Required QualificationsAssociate Professor
1. J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school (or an equivalent degree),
2. Demonstrated strong scholarly potential and a commitment to excellence in teaching.

Professor
1. J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school (or an equivalent degree),
2. Demonstrated outstanding scholarly career and a history of effective teaching and substantive service

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community
Additional Candidate InstructionsThe Faculty Appointments Committee will begin reviewing applications on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Initial interviews will be conducted via Zoom. We will review candidate materials posted in the AALS Faculty Appointments Register (FAR), and also invite applications from candidates not participating in the FAR. We will conduct finalist interviews on the Lawrence campus.

Applications must be submitted online at:

https://employment.ku.edu/academic/33253BR

A complete application should include the following:

Cover letter that specifies subject matter teaching interest(s)
CV or resume
Detailed statement of research interests and future plans
Writing sample
Names of three references.

Materials such as teaching evaluations or additional samples of scholarly work may be requested of candidates at a later date. Although later applications may be considered, for the fullest consideration, applications from candidates not participating in the FAR should be submitted by September 8, 2026. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment. Contact Information to ApplicantsProfessor Kyle Velte
Faculty Appointments Committee
University of Kansas School of Law
1535 W. 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
kvelte@ku.edu
Advertised Salary RangeCommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsTuesday September 8, 2026Anticipated Start DateWednesday August 18, 2027Apply to Job

Working at the University of Kansas

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Instruction

KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.

Research

The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.

Service

The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.

International Dimension

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Our City and State

KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.

Making KU Your Home

Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.

At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.