What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor in Sociology position at St. Ambrose University?
Position Overview
St. Ambrose University, an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners
located in Davenport, Iowa, invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor in
Sociology at its Davenport campus.
As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff representing many faith traditions and
worldviews, St. Ambrose University seeks a tenure-track eligible Assistant Professor in
Sociology who will support and advance the University's mission by teaching
undergraduate courses in Sociology and Criminal Justice, mentoring and advising students
within the program, and conducting scholarship within the field. Program faculty will also
be expected to contribute to program development and larger university service, such as
serving on committees and teaching within the core curriculum.
Qualifications
Faculty rank (e.g., Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) and appointment
status (e.g., tenure-track or term/professional faculty) will be commensurate with the
Candidate's Qualifications, Experience, And Institutional Needs.
The anticipated rank of the appointment is at the Assistant level (although candidates with
more extensive experience may be appointed at a higher rank). The start date is Thursday,
August 12, 2027. The successful candidate will possess some combination of the following
With Respect To Credentials And Experience
The individual hired for this position will be expected to enthusiastically embrace the following responsibilities and objectives:
In August 2024, St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University signed an agreement
to fully combine the two universities. The university received approval from its accrediting
body in 2025 and anticipates regulatory approval in the coming year. Mount Mercy
employees became St. Ambrose employees in the summer of 2025, and the two campuses
anticipate fully merging operations during the fall 2026 semester.
The strategic combination of Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose University represents the
proactive and innovative combination of two healthy Catholic universities. The combined
university will reduce costs by significantly reducing the duplication of administrative roles
across the two universities and by combining and streamlining a host of back-office
operations. The combined university has also reimagined general education and academic
programs with a focus on learner-centeredness, sustainability, strong student outcomes, and engaging and innovative learning experiences.
St. Ambrose University was founded as a diocesan college in Davenport, Iowa in 1882. The
Mount Mercy campus of St. Ambrose University was founded in 1928 by the Sisters of
Mercy. St. Ambrose has a strong financial profile with an endowment of $247.5 million, of
which nearly 80% is unrestricted. Collectively, St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy enroll over
3500 undergraduate and graduate students. The combined university offers more than 40
undergraduate majors and boasts a portfolio of a dozen graduate programs in a variety of
fields, including multiple graduate degrees in healthcare, business, social work,
education, and counseling. You can learn more about the strategic combination between
St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy at https://sau.edu/education-together/ .
Mission Statement
St. Ambrose University is an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners that
empowers all Ambrosians to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason,
to work for justice and mercy, and to lead lives of service.
Application Process
Interested individuals should apply online at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com and
Submit
Review of applications will begin at that time and continue until the position is filled.
Additional Information
St. Ambrose University, an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners
located in Davenport, Iowa, invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor in
Sociology at its Davenport campus.
As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff representing many faith traditions and
worldviews, St. Ambrose University seeks a tenure-track eligible Assistant Professor in
Sociology who will support and advance the University's mission by teaching
undergraduate courses in Sociology and Criminal Justice, mentoring and advising students
within the program, and conducting scholarship within the field. Program faculty will also
be expected to contribute to program development and larger university service, such as
serving on committees and teaching within the core curriculum.
Qualifications
Faculty rank (e.g., Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) and appointment
status (e.g., tenure-track or term/professional faculty) will be commensurate with the
Candidate's Qualifications, Experience, And Institutional Needs.
The anticipated rank of the appointment is at the Assistant level (although candidates with
more extensive experience may be appointed at a higher rank). The start date is Thursday,
August 12, 2027. The successful candidate will possess some combination of the following
With Respect To Credentials And Experience
- Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Sociology, Criminal Justice, or related field is preferred, though ABD candidates and applicants with a master's degree in sociology will be
- Expertise teaching undergraduate students in courses related to medical sociology; race, ethnicity, and immigration; or sex/gender. Preferred experience teaching courses on statistics/data analysis and research methods.
The individual hired for this position will be expected to enthusiastically embrace the following responsibilities and objectives:
- Actively engage and advance the Catholic, diocesan mission and identity of St. Ambrose University by fostering an inclusive community of learners, integrating faith and reason, and contributing to the formation of students who act courageously, work for justice, and lead lives of service.
- Teach a 4/4 course load in a variety of delivery modalities.
- Advise and mentor students.
- Provide service to the Department, College, and University.
- Be a learner-centered educator who has relevant experience in teaching courses related to medical sociology; race, ethnicity, and immigration; or sex/gender. Preferred experience teaching courses on statistics/data analysis and research methods.
- Embrace both the challenges and rewards of working to build a vibrant and sustainable learner-centered model for Catholic higher education across the campuses of Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose University.
- Be committed to supported and guided, evidence-based innovation in pursuit of creating impactful learning experiences for students.
- Contribute to the learning and professional outcomes of students across the university generally as well as in in the Sociology & Criminal Justice program.
- Engage in ongoing professional development appropriate to the faculty member's discipline, status, and academic responsibilities.
- Offer high-quality learning experiences for students in a range of modalities (e.g., face[1]to-face, hybrid, and online
In August 2024, St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University signed an agreement
to fully combine the two universities. The university received approval from its accrediting
body in 2025 and anticipates regulatory approval in the coming year. Mount Mercy
employees became St. Ambrose employees in the summer of 2025, and the two campuses
anticipate fully merging operations during the fall 2026 semester.
The strategic combination of Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose University represents the
proactive and innovative combination of two healthy Catholic universities. The combined
university will reduce costs by significantly reducing the duplication of administrative roles
across the two universities and by combining and streamlining a host of back-office
operations. The combined university has also reimagined general education and academic
programs with a focus on learner-centeredness, sustainability, strong student outcomes, and engaging and innovative learning experiences.
St. Ambrose University was founded as a diocesan college in Davenport, Iowa in 1882. The
Mount Mercy campus of St. Ambrose University was founded in 1928 by the Sisters of
Mercy. St. Ambrose has a strong financial profile with an endowment of $247.5 million, of
which nearly 80% is unrestricted. Collectively, St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy enroll over
3500 undergraduate and graduate students. The combined university offers more than 40
undergraduate majors and boasts a portfolio of a dozen graduate programs in a variety of
fields, including multiple graduate degrees in healthcare, business, social work,
education, and counseling. You can learn more about the strategic combination between
St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy at https://sau.edu/education-together/ .
Mission Statement
St. Ambrose University is an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners that
empowers all Ambrosians to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason,
to work for justice and mercy, and to lead lives of service.
Application Process
Interested individuals should apply online at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com and
Submit
- Letter of application addressing:
- Qualifications and experience
- Approach to teaching and student development
- Interest in and capacity to contribute to the mission of St. Ambrose University
- Curriculum vitae or professional resume
- Contact information for at least three professional references
Review of applications will begin at that time and continue until the position is filled.
Additional Information
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of academic credentials
- Ambrose University is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment