Assistant Professor - Criminal Justice

Job Description

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is searching for a forensic science tenure track faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 2027.
The successful applicant must have a PhD in the physical sciences, with preference given to applicants with experience/education in chemistry. Practical experience in forensic science is preferred; prior teaching experience in forensic science is desirable.
Applications received by Nov. 30, 2026, will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Required application materials:

1. Cover Letter (indicating how the candidate’s qualifications and experience prepare them for this position)
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Research Statement (approximately 2 pages, focusing on the past five years and future research plans)
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy (approximately 2 pages). Additional evidence of teaching excellence is optional.
5. Names and contact information for 3 references

The UAB Master of Science in Forensic Science program is one of fewer than 25 FEPAC accredited Master of Science in Forensic Science programs in the U.S. Our program was established in the mid-1980s and has been accredited since 2008. The chemistry laboratories include 2 gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments and an HPLC time of flight mass spectrometer with DART capabilities purchased in 2025. A dedicated teaching laboratory incorporates the resources for teaching and research in trace evidence and comparison sciences. The MSFS program prepares students for careers in various forensic science and conventional analytical laboratories, emphasizing the application of scientific methods and technologies to legal proceedings.
The UAB Forensic Science Program is housed in the J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences. Currently, the department offers undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice and Digital Forensics as well as master programs in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. The department is home to undergraduate minors in Legal Affairs, Urban Affairs, Forensic Psychology, and Forensic Science. The department has about 300 undergraduate majors, 50 FS and CJ master students, and 15 full-time faculty members.
See the department and program websites for more information: uab.edu/cas/criminaljustice/and uab.edu/cas/criminaljustice/graduate/ms-forensic-science.
Birmingham is the central hub of a metropolitan area of 1.1 million people. It offers a vibrant cultural community with award-winning restaurants and a wide array of recreational opportunities including easy access to many outdoor activities in the Appalachian foothills and the beaches of Alabama.


Required Qualifications

PhD in a relevant physical, natural or social science field.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in academic forensic science research or a forensic laboratory management. Practical experience in forensic science is preferred; prior teaching experience in forensic science is desirable. Experience/education in chemistry preferred.