Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sociology

Employer: University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA

View more categoriesView less categories

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

Apply on website

Send job

Job Details
Organization

Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sociology

Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Open Date:
Aug 7, 2026
Description:
The Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in sociology. The position is open to all areas of sociology.

The department is a national leader in the discipline, continuing to push the boundaries of social science, and we seek candidates with strong research experience and potential.. Our department is housed within the School of Arts & Sciences, which is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate Division, and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration are supported by the breadth and depth of academic pursuits at Penn as well as the proximity of resources on our contiguous green urban campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We promote and encourage curiosity, intellectual engagement, and discovery among all our students and faculty. University, School, and departmental resources that support our efforts include but are not limited to: the Population Studies Center, the Population Aging Research Center, the Offices of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Vice Provost for Research, the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation, and the Penn Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

The department offers a variety of undergraduate majors and minors, including a traditional sociology degree, but also specialized degree programs in medical sociology and law and society. We also offer two graduate training programs, in sociology and demography. Assistant professors are expected to teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students in our programs.

Qualifications:
Qualifications include:

Strong research potential
Capacity for teaching at both graduate and undergraduate levels
The ability to direct graduate and undergraduate research
Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. by the time of appointment, which is July 1, 2027

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following application materials to apply.interfolio.com/190940 :

Cover letter
CV
Research statement
Teaching statement
A writing sample, preferably 30 pages or less
Three confidential letters of reference

Review of applications will begin on September 21, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Please contact Aiasha Saalim Graham (abgraham@upenn.edu, 215-898-7665) with questions regarding the application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Welcome to the University of Pennsylvania! Penn is the largest private employer in Philadelphia and is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation.

Across our 12 highly-regarded schools, more than 25,000 students, and more than 4,000 faculty members, we become one university: a wide-ranging, ever-changing community that draws its strength from a multitude of races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, historical traditions, ages, religions, disabilities, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Penn carries on the principles and spirit of its founder, Benjamin Franklin: entrepreneurship, innovation, invention, outreach, and a pragmatic love of knowledge. Franklin's practical outlook has remained a driving force in the university's development. To learn more, visit About Penn.

Vision

As engines of knowledge and new ideas, universities have the unique potential to define the future rather than be defined by it; to pioneer change rather than merely manage it. To do so requires a plan both visionary and pragmatic. The Penn Compact 2022 motivates community members to innovate, be radically inclusive, and positively impact their local, national, and global communities.

Penn’s fundamental priorities — increasing access, integrating knowledge and engaging locally, nationally and globally — are supported by the three core values that make us uniquely Penn: inclusion, innovation, and impact.

Learn about the signature initiatives of the Penn Compact 2022:

Global Connections President’s Engagement Prizes President's Innovation Prize Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professors

Diversity

Understanding and appreciating diversity is one of Penn's most important priorities and is fundamental to success in today's world.

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Penn visit:

Diversity at Penn Resources Supporting Diversity Penn Diversity Facts and Figures Penn's Diversity Timeline 1740-1997

Benefits

Penn offers a wide range of benefits and perks - from Penn's retirement Matching Plan to bike repair stations to access to the full LinkedIn Learning library to adoption assistance to workshops at the letterpress and book arts studio and much more!

Penn HR Benefits Be in the Know Wellness Campaign Penn Home Ownership Services Campus Shuttles & Buses Resources for Cyclists Deals@Penn Common Press

Campus and Beyond

We invite you to explore our campus and its stately buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.

Penn Park Morris Arboretum Penn Campus Arboretum: 6,800 Campus Trees Penn Recreation Penn Libraries Shop Penn

Try our self-guided tour! Come and visit!

Learn about sustainability at Penn.

News

Stay up-to-date with Penn's response to COVID-19: Coronavirus Information & Resources.

Penn supports news publications that tell the ongoing story of the University community, communications services for external media, telephone and video services, and other media resources: Campus Media

Connect with us!

Instagram: @uofpenn

Twitter: @Penn

Company info