Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Open Rank Faculty- Tenure/Tenure-Track- School of Social Work at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
The Wayne State Division of Research and
Innovation has identified four overlapping "Grand Challenge" areas of
research: powering innovation with artificial intelligence; driving lifelong health,
revolutionizing mobility, and fostering sustainable environments.
The School of Social Work at
Wayne State University invites applications for up to two full-time,
tenure-track or tenured faculty positions to begin August 2027: one open rank
(Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor), and one at the rank of Assistant
Professor. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates whose research
and practice advance the well-being of urban communities like Detroit. We are
particularly interested in scholars whose work emphasizes one or more of the
following areas: behavioral health and the criminal legal system (e.g., crisis
response, diversion, juvenile justice, and reentry); eco-social work (e.g., trauma-informed
disaster response, environmental organizing, & nature-based interventions);
global social work (e.g., immigrant and refugee communities, human rights, sustainable
development goals); and health (e.g., gerontology, substance use, disability, policy).
Applicants need not fit within a single area and may work across them.
The Wayne State University
School of Social Work, accredited since 1945, is situated in a dynamic urban
setting in Midtown, the heart of Detroit's Cultural and Historic District, and
is committed to the urban mission of social work practice. The School offers
BSW, MSW, and PhD programs and is home to two centers: the Center for
Behavioral Health and Justice, which supports communities, organizations, and
behavioral health and criminal-legal agencies through the implementation of
evidence-based practices, and the Center for Social Work Research, which
supports faculty research, scholarship, community engagement, and
interdisciplinary collaboration. More information can be found at:
socialwork.wayne.edu.
Faculty members in the School of
Social Work contribute to the School's research, teaching, and service
missions. The successful candidates will be expected to conduct independent
research, including maintaining an active record of peer-reviewed publication
and pursuing external funding; teach across the School's BSW, MSW, and/or PhD
curricula; advise and mentor students; and participate in service assignments
of importance to the School, the University, and the profession.
An earned doctorate in social work or a related field (e.g., anthropology, psychology, political science, criminal justice, geography, public health, or sociology) is required. Applicants who have entered doctoral candidacy (ABD) will be considered; however, the dissertation must be filed by the appointment start date for appointment at the Assistant Professor rank.
A record of scholarly publications (published, in press, or under review).
Academic accomplishments commensurate with appointment at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank.
Applicants should upload: (a) a curriculum
vitae; (b) a two-page cover letter describing your research interests and
trajectory, your teaching philosophy, and the areas of the School's BSW, MSW,
or PhD curricula you are prepared to teach; and (c) the names and full contact
information of three references.
For full consideration, applications
should be received by September 21, 2026; review of applications will begin
immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Questions may be
directed to Dr. Bryan Victor, Search Committee Chair (bvictor@wayne.edu).
• An MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution with 2 years post-MSW practice experience
• An independent research trajectory. For candidates at the Assistant Professor rank, demonstrated potential for external funding; for candidates at the Associate or Full Professor rank, a record of secured external funding.
• Strong analytic ability (e.g., data science, quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed methods analysis); experience in primary data collection.
• Teaching experience and expertise in BSW, MSW, or PhD curricular areas.
• Experience with community-engaged research or community-engaged teaching.
• A track record of interpersonal skills that facilitate communication and connection bridging communities and multiple disciplines (e.g., social science, nursing, health sciences, engineering, humanities).
H13 - School of Social Work
H1301 - Deans Office Social Work
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between WSU and the WSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
