California State University, Fresno
College of Social Sciences
Department of Child and Family Science
https://socialsciences.fresnostate.edu/cfs

Child and Family Science
Assistant Professor
Tenure Track

Fall 2027 (August 2027)

The Department of Child and Family Science in the College of Social Sciences at California State University, Fresno, seeks applicants for a tenure-track, academic-year Assistant Professor in Adult and/or Lifespan Development to begin August 2027. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate students, conduct scholarly research, and engage in service-related activities. Successful candidates, in addition to designing and offering courses in adult and/or lifespan development, may also teach courses such as research methods and/or writing in the discipline, depending on department needs.

Our students: California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The Department and College: Reflecting our interdisciplinary roots, the Department of Child and Family Science faculty draw from multiple social science disciplines and subdisciplines (e.g., human development, family science, developmental psychology, cultural psychology, communication) to offer our students layered understandings of developmental processes and family relationships. Our responsive Child Development and Family Science programs aim to simultaneously support students' professional and personal goals.

Dedicated and award-winning CFS faculty engage and challenge students inside and outside the classroom. Through rigorous coursework, experiential and service learning, internships, research, and practica, students apply classroom learning to help children and families thrive. Research activities and involvement in community settings allow students to practice and refine their knowledge and skills under the mentorship of faculty experts and field professionals. The mission of the department is to prepare graduates who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work to improve the quality of life in our region and beyond through education, research, and service. To learn more about our department and faculty, visit our website.

The Department of Child and Family Science at Fresno State is housed within the College of Social Sciences. The mission of the College of Social Sciences is to seek and impart knowledge of human social experience in all its diversity in order to educate students and benefit humanity. Understanding the world and our place in it requires a well-rounded education. Accordingly, the college seeks to instill a concern for human values and civic responsibility and to provide substantial knowledge drawn from the social sciences. To learn more about the College of Social Sciences, visit their website.

Qualifications:

Required Education:

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Human Development and Family Science, Psychology, Communication, or other closely related disciplines from an accredited institution (or foreign equivalent) is required.
Applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered; however, for appointment, the doctorate must be completed by August 1, 2027.

Required Experience:

1. Demonstrated expertise in adult and/or lifespan development as evidenced by research and scholarly activity, teaching, and/or relevant academic training
2. Demonstrated potential for effective teaching and development of courses in Adult and/or Lifespan Development at the undergraduate level
3. Evidence of an active program of research and scholarly activity, including scholarly publications and/or presentations

Preferred Experience:

1. Expertise in multicultural, intersectional, and/or gender-related approaches to development
2. Evidence of effective undergraduate teaching and mentoring (e.g., student evaluations, teaching awards, or other indicators)
3. Experience teaching courses in developmental theory, research methods, writing in the discipline, or other areas relevant to departmental needs
4. Active participation or leadership in relevant professional organizations

Application Procedures:

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by this date.

Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

Applicants must complete an online application at https://careers.fresnostate.edu/ and attach the following:

1. Cover letter specifically addressing required experience and preferred qualifications
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Unofficial graduate transcripts
4. Teaching statement that includes evidence of teaching effectiveness (not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages)
5. Research statement that outlines current research agenda and future research trajectory (not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages)
6. A list of three professional references with their contact information

Candidates invited for on-campus visits will be required to submit the following within the designated timeline:

1. Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of the full consideration date)
2. Official transcripts

Committee Information and Search Process:

Search Chair: 
       Dr. Andrea Roach
       Department of Child and Family Science
       Email: aroach@csufresno.edu

About Fresno State: California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The campus is ranked 2nd in the nation by Washington Monthly for tuition (and tax) dollars; ranked No. 31 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings; and received a 4.5-star rating on a 5-star scale in Money’s 2025 Best Colleges list.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process.  For additional information, please visit:   www.fresnostate.edu/academics/facultyaffairs/procedures/facultyrtp/.  We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, the anticipated hiring range is $6,221-$6,751 per month for an Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per academic year).  As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.

Territorial Acknowledgment:

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land. 

Other Campus Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml.  Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

Any offer of employment may be withdrawn, or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html.

California State University, Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.   Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Out of State Employment:
Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022, are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022, must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person. Faculty assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus presence.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/

Education Code 89521 Requirements:
Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Fresno State’s ability to sponsor employment-based visas will depend on institutional priorities, budget availability, and current federal regulations. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.