Professor and Head Department of Human Development and Family Science

The Department of Human Development and Family Science ( HDFS) in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University invites applications for a twelve-month, tenure-eligible position, Professor and Head, with a preferred start date of January 1, 2026.

The overarching responsibilities of the department head are to provide visionary leadership and promote excellence in teaching, research, and extension/outreach for the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Responsibilities include managing academic and administrative functions; recruiting and retaining faculty, staff, and students; assessing personnel and program performance; strategic planning and budgeting; directing program accreditations; overseeing outreach activities and centers; advocating for the department; serving on the college leadership team; fundraising; developing community and business partnerships; and serving as a liaison to administration, alumni, and the community.

The Department of Human Development and Family Science embraces and advances the university's land-grant mission, teaching undergraduate and graduate students through integrated classroom and experiential approaches, generating knowledge about development and relationships through rigorous research, and applying research through evidence-based programs for individuals, families, and communities. The department aims to understand and promote optimal development and relationships from infancy through older adulthood using innovative and interdisciplinary methods. Major research areas include relationship and health education, social determinants of mental and physical health, sleep health, military families, parenting and parent-child relationships, peer relationships, responses to social stress, substance use, early child development, healthy aging, and couple relationships.

DEPARTMENT: The department includes 36 full-time faculty members (19 tenured and tenure-track), 86 graduate students, and 337 undergraduates and offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in human development and family science. The department offers additional degrees (B.S. in global studies, M.S. in child life, master's in development practice), options (undergraduate options in child life and early child development, graduate option in marriage and family therapy), and certificates (undergraduate and graduate certificates in health equity science, graduate certificate in advanced research methods). HDFS partners with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and operates the Marriage and Family Therapy Center, the Auburn University Early Learning Center, and the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham, AL. Additional information about the department can be found at http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/hdfs.

COLLEGE: The College of Human Sciences, established in 1916, provides programs that promote living well through a focus on human health and well-being. Students in the college receive a world-class education through curricula focused on igniting creativity to discover sustainable solutions for improving quality of life around the world. The curriculum for each program is interdisciplinary across the myriad of human sciences disciplines, and each seeks to challenge students with real-world experiences and hands-on learning. This preparation produces graduates who have a broad worldview and a commitment to building a better world. The college has approximately 1,700 students distributed across the departments of Consumer and Design Sciences, Human Development and Family Science, and Nutritional Sciences; the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management; and the Office of Global Education. For more information, please see http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/main/.

UNIVERSITY: Auburn University is an R1 university and one of the nation's premier public land-grant institutions. Auburn's mission is "dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Alabama, the nation, and the world through forward-thinking education, life-enhancing research and scholarship, and selfless service." The university is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, its positive work environment, its thriving student life programs, and its beautiful campus. Additional information about the university can be found at http://www.auburn.edu.

CITY OF AUBURN: Auburn is a small, friendly university town in the rolling hills of east central Alabama, with a population around 60,000. Auburn is recognized as one of the "best small towns in America," with moderate climate and easy access to beach and mountain recreational facilities. The combined twin towns of Auburn and historic Opelika boast excellent public school systems and regional medical centers. The cities of Montgomery and Columbus are nearby and the large cities of Birmingham and Atlanta are less than two hours away.

An earned doctorate in human development, family science, or a closely related field is required. The candidate must be eligible for appointment as a tenured full professor at the time of appointment. The candidate's record must demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and outreach/service as well as strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. The candidate must also meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time of appointment and for the proposed term of employment.

Please submit a statement of interest and qualifications, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references via: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/53618. Review of applications will begin on August 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Stephen Erath (serath@auburn.edu), Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of Human Sciences.

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit their website to learn more.