Assistant Professor Substance Use and Biobehavioral Health

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Utah State University seeks candidates for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in substance use and addiction care utilizing biobehavioral perspectives (e.g. social determinants of health intervention and prevention science behavioral neuroscience). We seek a researcher with a strong record of scholarship examining substance use or addiction care in the context of human development and/or family relations. Preference will be given to candidates whose research addresses the social and contextual factors associated with health-related outcomes and behaviors broadly conceived including substance (mis)use and abuse (e.g. alcohol cannabis nicotine opioids) and substance use disorders and their care.

The position is located on USUs main campus in Logan Utah. This position is not eligible for remote work.

This is a tenure-track nine-month academic year position anticipated to begin in August 2027. Review of applications will begin November 13 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies will consider visa sponsorship. Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization (e.g. F-1 OPT/STEM OPT J-1 current H-1B) be eligible for Change of Status (e.g. F-1 J-1) or be eligible for an H-1B transfer. We do not provide sponsorship for initial overseas H-1B filings/fees.

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair Dr. Spencer Bradshaw or ).

• Conduct and disseminate research (e.g. establish a research program publish in peer-reviewed journals).
• Generate external funding to support your research program (e.g. via government institutions private foundations or regional/local agencies).
• Teach graduate and/or undergraduate classes within areas of expertise and specialization or department needs (including didactic/classroom instruction and potentially applied supervision).
• Mentor doctoral students within the HDFS department (e.g. chair dissertation committees direct a research lab that involves graduate students support students in progressing toward graduation).
• Contribute service to the department college university and profession.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies Biobehavioral Health or related field.
• Evidence of excellence in the ability to conduct and disseminate impactful research on substance use and health-related outcomes.
• Evidence of the ability or potential to effectively teach and mentor students.
• Outstanding oral written and interpersonal communication and ability to work well in a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A research program that complements existing departmental expertise while fostering collaborations across individual relational community and/or public health domains throughout the college.
• A translational research program bridging basic and applied areas of substance use addictions and care.
• Have interest in and ability to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in substance use and care in context social determinants of health intervention and health promotion or prevention science.
• Demonstrated potential to engage undergraduate and graduate students in research professional clinical community-engaged or other experiential opportunities that support their academic and career development.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
2. Cover letter highlighting fit with minimum and preferred qualifications to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10
3. Up to three examples of scholarly work to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10
4. Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references to be entered in the Candidate Profile

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.*

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is one of eight departments and three distinguished centers in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education Health & Human Sciences. The department has 30 faculty members over 300 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate HDFS department is committed to supporting innovative problem-focused research transformative and work-force ready educational experiences and state-of-the-art clinical training. HDFS faculty are dynamic and collaborative interdisciplinary scholars possessing a broad range of expertise across content and contexts. Our work is impact-focused drawing on and contributing to the USU land-grant mission bolstered by our connections with USU Extension. Faculty staff and students are committed to understanding communicating and implementing research education and practice showcasing how HDFS supports the health and well-being of individuals families and communities in Utah and beyond. Faculty joining the department during this period of growth will have opportunities to help shape new research collaborations academic programs and training initiatives while contributing to established programs with strong records of student mentorship research productivity and professional impact.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education Health and Human Sciencesis dedicated to excellence in research teaching and service activities that advance education improve health and well-being and elevate human potential across the college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and impactful student-focused graduate and undergraduate education. The college is consistently ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top Graduate Colleges of Education in the country ranking among the top 30 public institutions of higher education in 2026 and 1st in the state of Utah since 2000. The colleges programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centersincluding theSorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence Alzheimers Disease and Dementia Research Center Center for the School of the Future Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice and National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management. Faculty students and staff within the college collaborate with a broad range of community partners to facilitate community-engaged research and provide transformative experiential learning opportunities. Through dedicated teaching innovative research and meaningful engagement the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education Health and Human Sciences advances education health and well-being enriching the lives of individuals families and communities throughout Utah.

As Utahs student-centered land-grant research university Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning discovery extension and engagement. Founded in 1888 USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local regional and global communities advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah the nation and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nations second-oldest undergraduate research program USU prepares students to become active civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference which it joined July 1 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26 with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors and to the community where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education research discovery outreach and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or .

*updated 10/26

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 08/2026