Assistant 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 (KU) is seeking applications for an endowed, tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science (ABS) with a joint appointment with the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment (CLC) in the Life Span Institute. We are seeking a behavioral scientist who will develop and sustain an externally funded program of research focused on addiction and contribute to the research, teaching, and service missions of the ABS and CLC. Applicants whose research addresses the prevention and/or treatment of substance use and other addictive behaviors are especially encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, tenure-track position to begin Fall 2027. The position is well suited for applicants who seek a tenure-eligible position with substantial effort allocated to their research activities, with up to 60% total cumulative effort designated for research, and the remainder divided among teaching and service. This 9-month position is funded by an Endowed Professorship and offers a competitive salary and generous start up package.

The Assistant Professor position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics. UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and it is the candidate’s right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

About the University of Kansas:
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $275 million of externally funded research annually). The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.

About the Department of Applied Behavioral Science:
The Department of Applied Behavioral Science (ABS) has a longstanding national and international reputation for scholarship and training in behavior analysis and behavioral science. The department is distinguished by its commitment to understanding behavior through a natural-science approach and applying behavioral principles to address socially significant problems across individuals, organizations, and communities. Faculty conduct research spanning the basic-to-applied continuum, with strengths in the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, behavioral economics, addiction, health and human services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, organizational and community applications, and the translation of behavioral science into effective practices and systems. ABS has a strong record of research productivity and extramural funding and a longstanding commitment to integrating rigorous research, teaching, and community-engaged scholarship. The department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral training and provides a collaborative environment for faculty to conduct impactful research, mentor students, develop interdisciplinary and community partnerships, and advance the science and application of behavior.Job Description

About the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment:
The Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment (CLC) was established in 2018 to advance understanding, prevention, and treatment of addiction and related disorders, promote health and improve quality of life, and reduce stigma. The CLC brings together scientists, practitioners, policy makers, and students across diverse disciplines from the KU Lawrence campus, KU Medical Center, and community partners, with the purpose of supporting collaborative research and community-academic partnerships that leverage the expertise of center members and partners. The CLC offers significant material support to affiliated investigators, including robust pre- and post-award grant support services and statistical design and consulting.

About Lawrence, KS:
KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community — a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, a wide variety of local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Home to over 95,000 people, Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theater venues, and professional sports teams.

Culture and Community:
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 successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Duties:
Tenure-line faculty members have a standard allocation of 40% Research, 40% Teaching, and 20% service. This position has the potential of a differential allocation of effort with up to 60% Research.

Research (40%)

Conduct research in an area of expertise related to addiction prevention and intervention that complements current strengths in the department.
Maintain an active research program that continues to grow in depth, breadth, and importance.
Publish in peer-reviewed journals, present findings at professional conferences, and pursue and maintain external funding.

Teaching (40%)

Teach 2 courses per academic year in the ABS Department.
Mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students in research.
Serve on graduate student committees that supervise and evaluate progress toward degree completion.

Service (20%)

Provide general service to the ABS Department, Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, the College, the University, and to the academic profession.

Faculty Code
Faculty members are expected to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, currently viewable at: http://policy.ku.edu/FacultyCodeKULawrence/faculty-code-of-rights

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Psychology, Behavioral Science, or closely related discipline.
Record of behavioral research and scholarship focused on addiction.
Demonstrated capacity or potential to conduct and sustain a rigorous, externally-funded research program.
Demonstrated knowledge, and expertise sufficient to contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in the principles and processes of behavior and the conceptual and theoretical foundations of behavior science, consistent with the curricular needs of the Department of Applied Behavioral Science’s accredited programs.

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 InstructionsA complete application consists of the following: 1) cover letter/letter of interest; 2) research statement; 3) teaching statement; 4) comprehensive CV that clearly shows meeting the minimum doctoral requirement; 5) three representative publication reprints; and 6) names, contact information (address, phone number, and email address) of at least three professional references (reference letters may be requested at a later date).

Review of applications will begin November 2nd and continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsInquiries regarding the position and application can be directed to the chair of the search committee Tera Fazzino, PhD, Dept of Psychology and Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, tfazzino@ku.edu. Advertised Salary RangeCommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsMonday November 2, 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.