Asst/Assoc Professor, Sustainable Change - Department of Recreation, Sport, & Tourism

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

8d•$75,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Sustainable Change in Recreation or Tourism. The appointment is paid over 12 months. The department prefers candidates whose scholarship focuses on environmental and/or nature-based topics. The successful candidate will have a well-defined research agenda and the ability to teach recreation or tourism courses and other courses in the department’s core curriculum. The position contributes to the department’s interdisciplinary strengths in community and organizational development, individual health and wellbeing, sustainable change, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The position is a 100% full-time academic appointment with a nine-month service basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The budgeted salary range is $75,000–$95,000 at the Assistant Professor level and $85,000–$110,000 at the Associate Professor level. Final salary will depend on market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The position is eligible for work-authorization sponsorship, except sponsorship of a new H-1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee. The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism advances knowledge to foster healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship and sustainability, effective management and marketing of organizations, and social and economic development of communities. It offers residential B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs and an online M.S. program, and houses the Office of Park and Recreation Resources. The department is part of the College of Applied Health Sciences and affiliated with the Center for Health, Aging, and Disability. The position includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; a retirement plan; paid time off; and tuition waivers for employees and dependents. AI tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process, but all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in recreation, tourism, or an affiliated field by the time of appointment. Applicants with ABD status may be considered but must complete the doctorate before the position’s start date.
Evidence of, or potential to, publish in top-tier peer-reviewed journals.
Evidence of, or potential to, secure external funding to support a research program.
Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the RST department and make linkages among recreation, sport, and tourism.
Ability to mentor doctoral and master’s students.
Ability to contribute to the University and the Recreation, Sport and Tourism field through academic service and public engagement.

Nice To Haves

Environmental and/or nature-based scholarship.

Responsibilities

Conduct research focused on sustainable change in recreation or tourism, with a preference for environmental and/or nature-based scholarship.
Build collaborative research partnerships with colleagues within the Department, College, and across disciplines on campus.
Advise and direct student research, including theses and dissertations.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
Contribute to the Department’s curriculum.
Seek external funding to support research efforts.
Serve on Department, College, and University committees.
Engage in professional and public service activities.