Professor of Sociology with a Specialization in Aging/Gerontology, Life Course, Health, or Medical

Principal Duties: The Department of Sociology at Purdue University invites applications for one tenured Full Professor position in the area of aging/gerontology, life course, health, or medical sociology.

Beyond contributions of high-quality research aligned with the description above, the position involves serving as the Director of the Center on Aging and the Life Course (CALC).

This position is part of a broader initiatives by the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University. CLA has embarked on an innovative, nationally-recognized Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts Program that educates students across the university. In addition, the college is hiring more than 40 faculty searches for positions to begin in fall 2022. These positions will advance research within and across disciplines, and intersect with technology, data science, and engineering in relevant and important ways. This position has an anticipated start date of fall 2022 or negotiated date.  Indeed, this position is one of six for which the Sociology Department is actively recruiting this year, including specialties in Cultural & Cognition, Data Science & Social Organization, Digital Criminology, Science & Technology, and Health Disparity.

Purdue offers competitive salaries. The university is located in an affordable metropolitan area of over 200,000 people, conveniently situated between Indianapolis and Chicago.

The Center was established in 1985 as a university-wide entity to strengthen interdisciplinary inquiry on aging and the life course, with the specific aims of advancing research to optimize the aging experience of diverse populations and preparing future leaders for the field of gerontology. CALC emphasizes the application of the life course perspective—studying the aging process from gestation to death—and leads inquiries at multiple levels of analysis (from cells to societies). CALC draws upon the expertise of Faculty Associates from more than 20 departments at Purdue, fostering a vibrant interdisciplinary community. More than 40 students have completed the dual-title Ph.D., linking an established discipline-based program of study with an interdisciplinary perspective on aging, since the program began in 2006; twenty-one students are currently pursuing a graduate degree related to aging (either an interdisciplinary minor or a Dual-title PhD).  Further details regarding CALC can be found at the center web page https://www.purdue.edu/aging/.

Qualifications: The candidate must have a Ph.D. in sociology or a closely related field. The candidate also must have an established record of scholarly publications in the areas of aging/gerontology, life course, health, or medical sociology, as well as graduate mentoring experience, a history of external funding as PI or MPI from federal agencies or major foundations.  The candidate must have a record of scholarship commensurate with full professor at Purdue University.

Preference will be given to candidates who have administrative skills or experience, as well as a history of teaching, collaborating, or training others in interdisciplinary settings.  Candidates will have the opportunity to contribute expertise to the Advanced Methods at Purdue program through their research that uses cutting-edge social science research methods and tools.

Purdue University, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Sociology are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry.

Application Procedure: To apply, please visit careers.purdue.edu.  Names of references will be solicited for finalists. Applicants must include: 1) a letter of application explaining how their qualifications and experience make them a good candidate for the position, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a statement regarding administrative skills or experience, and 4) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement addressing this prompt:

Purdue University’s Department of Sociology is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction, and engagement.  In a separate statement, candidates should address this prompt: “How does your thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion influence your teaching, research, and/or mentorship?  How will this help you to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion?”

Screening of applications will begin on December 1, 2021, but applications received after this date may be accepted until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment in this position. For additional information, contact the Search Chair, Dr. J. Jill Suitor, jsuitor@purdue.edu.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.