Position Description

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a dynamic and visionary Director of the Center for Population Studies (CPS), a research unit within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts. This tenure-track faculty position (open rank, with a strong preference for candidates who meet the criteria for Associate or Full Professor) offers an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established center known for its impactful, community-based research and strong record of external funding.

We seek a demographer or sociologist with a strong scholarly portfolio, demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, and a passion for applied research and public engagement. The successful candidate will have teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with preferred specialties in rural sociology, health, or community and economic development. While open to various subfields, we are especially interested in scholars whose research focuses on the contemporary United States, particularly the Southeastern region.

 

About the Center

Founded on a commitment to community-based research and public service, CPS works at the intersection of research, education, and outreach. The Center engages in projects focused on health, education, workforce development, and demographic trends, often in partnership with government agencies, non-profits, and local communities. CPS also provides students with hands-on research opportunities and technical training in both academic and applied settings.

The Center houses three major units:

• State Data Center of Mississippi (SDC): A U.S. Census Bureau affiliate that supports data dissemination, training, and public engagement.
• Applied Policy and Community Research Lab (APCRL): Produces timely, accessible research briefs on pressing policy issues in Mississippi and the broader region.
• Society and Health Minor (SOHE): An interdisciplinary undergraduate program focused on the social and cultural dimensions of health and well-being.

The Director will:

• Lead the Center’s strategic planning, research initiatives, and partnerships.
• Secure and manage external grants from federal, state, and philanthropic sources.
• Oversee staff and research subunits.
• Represent the Center in University, community, and governmental settings.
• Cultivate a vibrant research culture that supports student involvement and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine research leadership, public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a region where such work has tangible impact. We welcome candidates who are excited by the prospect of leading an innovative, community-focused research center within a supportive academic environment. This position will support state-wide partnerships in responding to the decennial census, work with local leadership to support data-driven decision-making using public data, and mentor and teach in demography, statistics, and related courses.

Position Details

Appointment: 9 month

Assignment Type: Tenure Track

Position Responsibilities

• 60% Center-affiliated duties, including 20% administration and 40% research.
• 30% teaching with a 2:1 course load, in areas such as demography, methods, statistics, and population health.
• 10% service, including mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and supervising Master’s theses.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Demography, Sociology, Rural Sociology, or a related field at the time of appointment (minimum qualification)
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and extramural research funding.
• Proven leadership experience in research centers, institutes, or similar units (minimum qualification)
• Commitment to community-engaged research and scholarship.
• Tack record of successful engagement with local, state, and federal institutions.
• Ability to teach and mentor in demography, statistics, and related areas.

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Application Procedures

Apply online at careers.olemiss.edu. Required materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of interest
• Description of current and future research agenda (including how it aligns with CPS)
• Teaching philosophy
• Contact information for three references (two must be academic). Letters of recommendation will be requested after the first-round interview.

Timeline: Review of application will begin mid-September. First round interviews will be conducted mid-October, with on-campus interviews to be scheduled prior to Thanksgiving.

Upon hire, an official transcript must be sent directly to the University of Mississippi Office of Human Resources.