Assistant Professor - Substance Use and Biobehavioral Health

Overview

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 USU’s 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 welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of their current U.S. work authorization status. Visa sponsorship may be available depending on individual circumstances and applicable immigration requirements. The University supports standard sponsorship costs but cannot cover the additional $100,000 H-1B fee if applicable. Sponsorship eligibility will be determined by University Human Resources at the time of offer.

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Spencer Bradshaw (435-797-7456 or [email protected]).

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

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.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

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”

Up to three examples of scholarly work to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

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.*

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

ADA

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

College/Department Highlights

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 students. The 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 Sciences is dedicated to excellence in research, teaching, and service activities that advance education, improve health and well-being, and elevate human potential across the lifespan. 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 college’s programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence, Alzheimer’s 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.

University Highlights

As Utah’s 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 nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 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 university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

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 USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026