The Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Criminology position to begin August
2026.
The successful candidate will teach a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in the
program’s curriculum. This position carries a teaching load of five courses per year while
maintaining an active research agenda in the candidate’s specialization area. The position also
includes the opportunity for additional summer school teaching.
Faculty members are expected to be actively engaged in research and to provide service to the
department, college, university, and discipline. The successful candidate will have the potential
for innovation and leadership in teaching, research and service.
The Department of Sociology and Criminology is committed to increasing knowledge of human
societies from diverse perspectives and experiences and believes that our students, faculty, and
curricula are essential elements in that vision. We are seeking a colleague who shares this
commitment and is interested in being an integral part of the department.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Ph.D. in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, or a closely related field
Please note: Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered; however,
doctoral degree must be confirmed by August 1, 2026 to be eligible for employment.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Applicants with all research and teaching focuses are encouraged to apply.
Preference may be given to applicants with:
Teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate level
Teaching and research specializations in comparative or global criminology or law and
society.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The Department of Sociology and Criminology (www.uncw.edu/soccrm) at the University of
North Carolina Wilmington has 28 full-time faculty members, over 350 undergraduate majors,
and offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in sociology and criminology (general and public/applied),
including an online bachelor’s degree in criminology, and a Master of Arts in sociology and
criminology.
College/School Information
The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is home to 14 academic
departments and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs
including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as combined bachelor’s/master’s degree
programs in Spanish and English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research
Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service, professional advising for al
CHSSA undergraduate students.
In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of interdisciplinary minors and post
baccalaureate certificates including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies, classical
studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency and disaster management, forensic
science, Hispanic studies, journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East
and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing and publishing, science and
medical writing, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that comprises UNCW’s University
Studies Program, through which all undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and
develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The CHSSA strives in
its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking,
intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid
foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed
to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry,
government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level.
Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Humanities, Social
Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the CHSSA’s departments requires an applied learning
experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-
directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which
challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to
broader, real-world or real disciplinary situations.
Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the necessary preparation for
rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of
Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative
and interdisciplinary research and service while also making a positive societal impact. Come
and join our vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity.
University Information The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence
and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry
and critical thinking.
A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and
graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology,
nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical
research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for
working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal
engineering.
The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the
elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University)
by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.
EEO Statement UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age,
color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation,
veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other
university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or
occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion
for State funded employee benefit programs.
Eligibility for Employment Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able
to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing
requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on December 8, 2025, the posting closing date.
To apply, please complete the online application process available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/ and
attach the following materials as Adobe PDF documents including:
Cover Letter addressed to Chair, Criminology Search Committee, and discussing research,
teaching, mentoring, and engagement accomplishments.
Curriculum Vita
Teaching Philosophy
Research Summary including statement of your research interests
List of 3 Professional References including contact information**if ABD at time of
application, one of the references must be Dissertation Chair.
Please note that a minimum of three references are required for all applications.
The references you provide may be used to request reference letters during the screening
process.
Applications without the requested components will not meet the application requirements.
Please direct questions concerning the search or regarding the online application process to
soccrm@uncw.edu.