Lecturer and Associate Director, Research Methodology

The Opportunity

The Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in the College of Sciences invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure earning Lecturer anticipated to begin August 2026. This position will have an additional administrative function as Associate Director of the UCF Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS). This position is renewable annually and offers a clear career path with the possibility of promotion (i.e., Associate Lecturer and Senior Lecturer) based on years of service and performance.  

We seek candidates with a commitment to effective teaching and the ability to contribute to department teaching needs in research methods, GIS, medical sociology, and/or crime and deviance. The ideal candidate will have the ability to design and conduct mixed-method, applied social research with community partners, manage a team of researchers, and an active research agenda. The instructional duties and service assignments for this position are in accordance with the department’s current workload policy.

 The Associate Director of ISBS will design and oversee applied social research projects conducted in partnership with community organizations and by mentoring university students engaged in research and evaluation activities. The Associate Director plays a key leadership role in ISBS related to project management, data collection, proposal development, community engagement, research design, and dissemination of findings. The Associate Director is also expected to supervise and mentor students engaged in research and evaluation activities providing guidance in research methods, data management, ethics, and professional development. Lastly, the Associate Director will serve as ISBS Acting Director in the Director’s absence when applicable as needed.

Additionally, we are especially interested in a candidate who can contribute through their research, teaching and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.

 The UCF Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) (https://sciences.ucf.edu/sociology/isbs/) specializes in research relevant to public health and policy issues. To meet this end, ISBS employs various quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including, but not limited to, interviews, focus groups, secondary data analysis, statistical analysis, survey administration, content analysis, and GIS mapping. ISBS community partners have broad representation and include local governments, not-for-profit agencies, and academics. ISBS research answers critical research and evaluative questions on health, violence, crime, food insecurity, homelessness, and other social problems. ISBS also leads the Applied Sociology Experience (ASE@ISBS) where up to 20 undergraduate and graduate students from across the campus serve as research assistants on ISBS projects every semester.

The Department of Sociology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/sociology/) has an active graduate program, offering both Applied M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The department includes 20 full-time faculty, including 15 tenured and tenure-track, who are committed to impactful scholarly research, public dissemination of research findings, innovative teaching, collaborative community relationships, and are actively involved in professional organizations. Sociology faculty have had their research activities funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Justice, as well as state and regional agencies. With a focus on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty are affiliated with a variety of campus research centers and work with UCF faculty in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Academic Health Sciences Center and through the Violence against Women Cluster. The department also collaborates with the GIS Research Cluster Laboratory, which is focused on the use of mapping and drones to understand social and environmental inequalities. The department houses the Institute for Social and Behavioral Science, which specializes in research relevant to public policy issues in the state of Florida.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) is the largest college at the university and a powerhouse for the regional and national STEM workforce, spanning the natural, computational, physical, and social sciences and housing centers, institutes and initiatives that serve as hubs for research and innovation. Through sharing and applying knowledge, COS is cultivating pathways for students to solve our world’s most pressing and complex problems. With a mission to provide a world-class education in an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive, research flourishes, and our community prospers; a number of COS academic programs are among those nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review, and others. For more information, please visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

UCF, named one of the most innovative public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is located in Orlando, Florida and is classified as a Very High Research Activity university by the Carnegie Foundation. With more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country, offering more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region's future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

A doctoral degree in sociology or a very closely related field from an accredited institution at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The capacity to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in research methods, GIS, medical sociology, and/or crime and deviance, ability to teach courses in different modalities (e.g., face-to-face and online) and courses of varying sizes, and contribution to the undergraduate and graduate programs through student supervision.

• Experience designing and leading, mixed-method, community-based research studies.

• A publication record that includes technical reports, white papers and/or peer-reviewed articles.

• The capacity to secure external funding.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae

• A letter of interest describing your qualifications for the position

• A teaching statement that describes your experience and teaching philosophy

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Dr. Amy Donley (amy.donley@ucf.edu).

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

Sponsorship for employment-based visas will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and is not guaranteed. Preference will be given to candidates who are currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Job Close Date:

01/05/26

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.