Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Law and Society or Environmental Sociology - University of Pennsylvania

The Department of Sociology (https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/) at the University of Pennsylvania (https://www.upenn.edu/) invites applications for a tenure-track position in the sociology of law and society OR environmental sociology at the assistant professor rank. We are looking for candidates with broad training in sociological theory and methods whose empirical work is situated in either law and society or environmental sociology. We have a need for qualitative, comparative historical or mixed methods scholars, but all methodological approaches will be considered.





We are a collaborative and interactive department. We pursue research that advances understandings of our social world. We are housed within the School of Arts & Sciences (https://www.sas.upenn.edu/) , which is comprised of 28 academic departments (https://www.sas.upenn.edu/departments/) , the College of Arts and Sciences (https://www.college.upenn.edu/) , the Graduate Division (https://www.sas.upenn.edu/graduate/) , and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (https://www.lps.upenn.edu/) . Interdisciplinary research and collaboration are supported by the breadth and depth of academic pursuits at Penn (https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/careers-at-penn/penn) as well as the proximity of resources on our contiguous green urban campus (https://facilities.upenn.edu/services/landscape) 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 Offices of the Vice Provost for Faculty (https://faculty.upenn.edu/) and Vice Provost for Research (https://research.upenn.edu/) , PennGlobal (https://global.upenn.edu/) , Wellness at Penn (https://wellness.upenn.edu/) , the Center for Teaching and Learning (https://ctl.upenn.edu/) , the Penn Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (https://curf.upenn.edu/) , and Penn Human Resources (https://www.hr.upenn.edu/) .



The department offers an established undergraduate major (https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/penn-sociology-major-program) and minor in Sociology and a major in Law and Society (https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/law-and-society-major) that will be newly available in the 2024-25 academic year. We teach approximately 1500 undergraduate students a year in collaboration with interdisciplinary majors such as Health and Societies (https://hss.sas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/health-societies-major) , and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (https://ppe.sas.upenn.edu/) .



Our graduate (https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/graduate-program) program includes approximately 50 students. Our recent graduates have been placed in postdoctoral fellowships, faculty appointments, and positions in public policy, finance, and e-commerce.



Candidates must demonstrate excellent research potential and the capacity for teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Candidates should also demonstrate an interest in mentoring and supporting a diverse student body and an ability to direct graduate and undergraduate research. We are particularly but not exclusively interested in candidates whose research agenda could engage with the city of Philadelphia.


Candidates are expected to have a PhD by the time of appointment, which is July 1, 2025.



Applicants should submit their materials online at: apply.interfolio.com/152996 and include a letter of application that describes their research and teaching interests, a curriculum vitae, a writing sample (an article at any publication stage or dissertation chapter), a teaching statement, and the contact information for three references. The PhD is expected at the time of appointment. Recommenders will be contacted by the University with instructions for submitting their letters to the website if needed. Review of applications will begin September 5, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.




The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to 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. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action (http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/) and Equal Opportunity Programs, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).