University of Utah

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The Department of Family and Consumer Studies (FCS) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Utah. The successful candidate will enhance the department’s research and curricular capacity in Financial Planning & Counseling as well as Family Economics. The department is especially interested in scholars whose research focuses on family economic behavior and well-being, preferably with connections to family health and public policy. Example areas include: (1) the effects of public policies and economic shocks on household economic behaviors; (2) how financial literacy and planning impact family well-being; (3) the role of financial education and technology in investment decisions and wealth accumulation; (4) drivers of wealth inequality; and (5) how financial stress and insecurity influence health and well-being. This position involves teaching courses in the areas of financial planning and family economics, such as family economic issues, investments, health insurance and policy, behavioral economics, and families and social policy.

By the time of appointment, applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Economics, Finance, or an applied economics field such as Family Resource Management, Personal Financial Planning, Consumer Sciences, or closely related areas. Candidates should demonstrate a strong record of research and teaching commensurate with their career stage, as well as potential to secure extramural research funding. Teaching experience in the fields of financial planning or family economics is also desirable. CFP® certification is not required at the time of hire, but candidates must demonstrate willingness to pursue certification with departmental support.

The Department of Family & Consumer Studies is an interdisciplinary department with the mission to advance, communicate, and apply knowledge regarding human development and family well-being across the lifespan and within community and societal contexts. Our faculty includes scholars in sociology, economics, psychology, family studies, human development, and early childhood education. The department offers two undergraduate majors: Human Development and Family Studies and Financial Planning and Counseling. We also offer master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Human Development and Social Policy, as well as a recently approved master’s degree in Financial Planning and Counseling. Both the undergraduate and master’s programs in Financial Planning and Counseling are registered with the CFP® Board. The FCS department is committed to creating an academic and research environment that reflects the University’s foundational pillars: academic freedom, belonging of all people, campus safety, health and well-being, and sustainability. Further information about the Department of Family & Consumer Studies can be found at http://www.fcs.utah.edu.