Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development
About The Position
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) for Child and Family Development at Wayne State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning in August 2027. The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment between MPSI and an academic department aligned with their disciplinary background. Applicants should be scientists whose work addresses the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, young adults, or families. Research should align with the urban mission and values of WSU and MPSI and contribute to research, training, and community engagement that advance knowledge and solutions benefiting children, families, and communities. Areas of particular interest include processes and contexts shaping development and health from infancy through young adulthood; risk, resilience, prevention, and intervention; translational research; emerging technologies and new healthcare models; and influences across individual, family, community, and population contexts. Other important questions in developmental science and family health are also welcome. Successful candidates will have a strong, independent research program, evidence of or clear potential for external funding, and quantitative expertise in developmental research methods. MPSI responsibilities include research, professional service, training and mentorship, and community engagement. The candidate will also teach in the academic department associated with the joint appointment. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in a field related to child and family development before the start date. They should demonstrate research productivity and potential for significant external funding, a novel research agenda, and potential for excellence in research, community engagement, service, and teaching. The position calls for a commitment to effective mentoring, teaching, research practices, and community engagement across varied populations and contexts, as well as collegiality, collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and team science. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
Requirements
- Ph.D. or equivalent in a field related to child and family development before the start date.
- Strong record of research productivity and high potential for significant external funding.
- Strong evidence of a novel research agenda and potential for excellence in research, community engagement, service, and teaching.
- Demonstrated quantitative expertise in developmental research methods.
- Commitment to effective mentoring, teaching, research practices, and community engagement across varied populations, communities, and contexts.
- Strong record of collegiality and collaborative work.
- Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and team science.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a strong, independent program of research.
- Pursue external research funding.
- Conduct research related to the development, health, and well-being of children, young adults, and families.
- Contribute to professional service, training, mentorship, and community engagement at MPSI.
- Teach in the academic department associated with the candidate’s joint appointment.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary research and team science.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
