Job Summary
The Department of Criminal Justice at Purdue University Fort Wayne invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice position beginning August 2027. This is a full-time, nine-month appointment. Applicants with a broad range of research specializations are encouraged to apply.
Requirements
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses, including but not limited to American Criminal Justice System, Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, and Crime and Public Policy; maintain an active program of research and scholarly activity; advise and mentor undergraduate students; and participate in service to the department, college, university, community, and profession. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching and student engagement, as well as the potential to develop and sustain a productive research agenda. The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package.
The Department
The Department of Criminal Justice, housed in the College of Liberal Arts, is one of the largest departments in the college, with approximately 150 undergraduate majors. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a minor in Criminal Justice for non-majors, and a minor in Forensic Investigations open to students across the university. The curriculum examines the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections, while addressing contemporary issues in crime and justice policy. The program prepares students for careers in criminal justice and public service, as well as for graduate study and law school
The University
A modern campus sitting on nearly 600 beautiful acres along the banks of the St. Joseph River, Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) has a significant presence in the region as the largest university in northeastern Indiana and is a designated metropolitan campus within the esteemed Purdue University system. Our students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from one of the most trusted and prestigious brands in higher education. With just under 6,000 students (46% of whom are first generation), over 300 full-time faculty members, and eight colleges and schools, PFW offers its students small classes, individualized attention and an array of high-impact learning experiences. Benefiting from a 13:1 ratio, students work alongside faculty to tackle real-world challenges through groundbreaking research, create exciting new scholarship, and explore new facets of creative expression. PFW serves the region as the hub of intellectual, social, economic, and cultural advancement.
Our campus is located within Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne, which has a population of 270,000 and resides within a greater metropolitan area of approximately 430,000. The city enjoys a diverse, active, and well-supported arts community, is home to several minor league sports teams, and has miles of pathways and trails that highlight the city and the three rivers that flow through it. Fort Wayne has been named an “All-American City” four times and is consistently cited for the high quality of life, low cost of living, and warm hospitality. Fort Wayne has been named one of the best places to live; US News & World Report ranked it a Top 50 Best Places to Live in 2022-2023.
Qualifications
Required qualifications include a Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, political science, sociology, or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered, with the expectation that the doctoral degree will be completed prior to the start of employment.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to effectively teach undergraduate courses and the potential to develop and sustain an active research agenda.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following materials: a cover letter addressing the candidate’s qualifications; a curriculum vitae; a research statement; a statement of teaching and advising philosophy; evidence of teaching effectiveness; unofficial transcripts; and the names and contact information of three professional references. Candidates invited for a phone interview and subsequently for a campus interview will be expected to deliver a 45-60-minute instructional presentation for students and a 45-minute research presentation.
Applications must be submitted through the PFW employment portal: https://careers.purdue.edu/FW/job/Assistant-Professor-of-Criminal-Justice/44623-en_US.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The position is contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory background check. Questions regarding the position or the application process may be directed to Dr. Nurgul Aitalieva (department chair) at aitalien@pfw.edu.
Purdue University Fort Wayne is an EEO/AA employer.