Visiting Assistant Professor

Job Description

The Department of Sociology at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor position to begin August 10 2026. We seek a colleague with a PhD in Sociology whose teaching and research interests will strengthen our undergraduate curriculum and departmental community. The ideal candidate will have experience integrating community-based research and/or experiential education into their teaching. Preferred areas of expertise include Environmental Sociology Appalachian Studies and/or Rural Sociology. We also welcome candidates who can teach general sociology courses including introductory and foundational offerings that support the core curriculum. We especially value instructors who help students connect sociological ideas to lived experiences in rural and Appalachian contexts and who foster a sense of belonging in the classroom.
The successful candidate will teach a 33 undergraduate course load and will also devote 30% of their time to research and community outreach/extension during the appointment. Courses may include those focused on environmental sociology Appalachian communities community-engaged research approaches rural sociology or general sociology classes depending on departmental needs. When appropriate community-based learning activities and research may involve collaboration with Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension faculty.
Applicants must hold a PhD in Sociology by the time of appointment and should demonstrate an active and relevant research agenda excellence in undergraduate teaching the ability to mentor students and a commitment to contributing positively to a supportive departmental community.
This is a full-time non-tenure-track one-year appointment with the possibility of multi-year renewal based on performance and the availability of application package should include a cover letter curriculum vitae a list of three references with email addresses and a 12 page candidate statement that describes the applicants ability to integrate teaching research and community engagement with particular attention to how this work is shaped by and contributes to the Virginia Tech context and the VTPrinciples of Community. Examples of experiences activities and plans can help the committee to identify candidates who strengthen the universitys commitment to inclusive excellence. Other documents welcome include teaching evaluations and sample syllabi. Questions should be directed to Dr. Shannon Bell () Visiting Assistant Professor Search Committee Chair.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD in Sociology by the time of appointment and should demonstrate an active and relevant research agenda excellence in undergraduate teaching the ability to mentor students and a commitment to contributing positively to a supportive departmental community.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Hours per week

*

Review Date

April 11 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.