Assistant Professor – Department of Criminology and Justice Studies #26-03
Job no: 551910
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Northridge
Categories: Unit 3 – CFA – California Faculty Association, Faculty – Behavioral Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time
Position:
The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in Criminology and Justice Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor with a primary specialization in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system and a sub-specialization in forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality.
Responsibilities:
- Teaching assignments: The standard teaching assignment is 9 units (3 courses) per semester for the first two years, and then 12 units (4 courses) per semester thereafter. However, there may be opportunities for course reductions through external or internal research grants and/or university/college/departmental service assignments. CSBS also generally permits teaching one fully online (asynchronous) course per semester. Other course styles, such as hybrid teaching (e.g., online and in-person combination), are also common.
- Teaching responsibilities for the successful candidate will include core courses in the Criminology and Justice Studies undergraduate program, along with courses in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system that emphasize perspectives from forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality. Candidates who intend to teach law courses should also hold a JD to be eligible to teach those courses.
- Mentorship and collaboration: The successful candidate will be expected to participate in high-impact mentoring practices that promote the academic success of university students, particularly first-generation and underrepresented students, including advising them toward accomplishing their short- and long-term professional objectives. The department, college, and university provide opportunities for mentorship support.
- Research expectations: The successful candidate will be expected to produce peer-reviewed scholarly publications, participate in professional conferences regularly, and remain current in their research field through professional development. In addition, student involvement in research is highly encouraged.
- Service responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to department, college, and university committees, advise students, and connect to community-based agencies in crime and justice. CSBS further emphasizes community engagement that prepares our students for careers that impact both the local community and global society.
In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate may be required to teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online and will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which they are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work/Social Welfare, or a closely related area, with a primary specialization in mental health, substance use, or disability in the criminal legal system and a sub-specialization in forensic psychology, disability studies, and/or social inequality. Evidence of degree(s) required by the appointment start date. The J.D. alone is not sufficient for this position.
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, excellence in teaching Criminology and Justice Studies courses using student-centered pedagogy
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, inclusive approaches to mentoring students, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, successful scholarly publication.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, engaging students in research, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, developing interdisciplinary links with programs and/or departments across the University
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, effective engagement with students through inclusive approaches that support success beyond the classroom, such as career readiness
- Evidence of, or clear potential for, building partnerships that expand opportunities for students through community engagement, applied research, or experiential learning
Application Deadline:
Priority application deadline is October 24, 2025, and applications received after this date may be considered on an as-needed basis. However, the position will remain open until filled.
How to Apply:
Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN online application. To apply and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
Applicants must submit the following to the website in the section above:
- a letter of application (cover letter), not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages, including a section about past and future scholarly work and a brief description of inclusive approaches across teaching, scholarship, and service.
- a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes contact information for three professional references
- a teaching and mentorship statement, not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages, describing inclusive approaches to teaching and mentorship, prior experiences, and plans to engage students, including first-generation students and those from historically underserved backgrounds
- evidence of, or clear potential for, excellence in teaching, such as sample syllabi, sample assignments, peer evaluations, and/or student evaluations
- unofficial graduate transcripts