Position Information
- School/College: College of Arts and Sciences
- Title: College of Arts and Sciences-Assistant Professor-Criminal Justice Fall 2027
- Assignment Category: Full-Time
- Rank: Assistant Professor
- Tenure Status: Tenure Track
- Payroll Status: Faculty 9
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:
- Cover Letter (indicating how the candidate’s qualifications and experience prepare them for this position)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research Statement (approximately 2 pages, focusing on the past five years and future research plans)
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy (approximately 2 pages). Additional evidence of teaching excellence is optional.
- 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.
Posting Detail Information
- Posting Number: F2955P
- Open Date: 10/25/2026
- Open Until Filled: Yes
Nondiscrimination Statement
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
Pre-employment Background Check
A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.
About University of Alabama at Birmingham
UAB is a Carnegie Foundation designated “Research University–Very High Research Output” institution of just over 20,000 students, located in the heart of metropolitan Birmingham, home to over 1 million people with exceptional regional, cultural and recreational opportunities. With over 21,000 students and 2,200 full-time faculty members, UAB ranks in the top 15 public universities for federal research funding and is the major teaching-research university in the state. UAB ranks in the top ten nationally for student diversity, with over one hundred countries represented on campus. Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and offers a vibrant cultural community with a wide array of recreational opportunities.
The department offers a BS and MS in Criminal Justice and a MS and minor in Forensic Sciences. It also is a part of an interdisciplinary BS and MS in Cybersecurity. Currently, the department has about 300 undergraduate majors, 50 master’s students, and 11 full-time faculty members. See the department website for more information: https://www.uab.edu/cas/criminaljustice/
