Position Summary:
The Department of Human Development and Family Science within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at The University of Georgia is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Behavioral Health Education and Extension Specialist, located at the Athens campus. This position is a full-time, academic year (9-month) appointment, with a 50% Extension, 25% teaching, 20% research and 5% service effort allocation. Tenure-track faculty appointments begin August 1, 2026 and this position will be located on the Athens campus. Please refer to UGA’s criteria for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure.

The UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Extension network is a trusted partner of the Georgia healthcare system, advancing prevention and health outcomes in alignment with the university’s land-grant mission. Health Extension bridges the gap between clinical care and everyday life, delivering health education, prevention strategies and behavioral change support to individuals, families and communities throughout Georgia. This position is funded by the Presidential Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring Initiative and as such, a successful candidate is expected to develop and implement local, state, regional, national, and internationally-recognized programs broadly focused on behavioral health extension to improve health outcomes for individuals and families in Georgia. This hiring initiative directly supports the land-grant mission of UGA and Extension and complements the new UGA medical school’s focus on rural health.

We seek a colleague with expertise in farm stress, health education delivery, prevention strategies and/or behavioral change to support individuals, families and communities. The successful candidate will collaborate with Extension Specialists in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance, USDA NIFA, Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and other established partners. The successful candidate will work with 109 FACS Extension agents and educators serving 51 counties in Georgia.

A successful candidate will show the potential to take responsibility on externally funded, peer-reviewed projects concerning behavioral health education; present research at a minimum of one national or international conference per year, and participate in service on departmental, college, and/or university committees to support education and engagement missions. In addition, a successful candidate will be expected to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. The successful candidate should demonstrate potential for establishing a record of extramural funding, conducting research on behavioral health education topics.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Develop a robust Extension outreach program that considers the needs of Georgia Health Extension Agents and Educators and delivers programming, with measurable outcomes, to meet those needs.

• Work collaboratively with university faculty and Extension colleagues in diverse subject matter disciplines to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based educational programs focused on behavioral health issues.

•Develop a research program focused on contemporary allied health and behavioral health systems and write grants to secure extramural funding to support an innovative and sustainable extension and research program in Behavioral Health Education.

•Provide subject matter expertise for County Extension Agents through trainings, information, and research-informed, evidence-based programs that meet identified county and statewide needs.

•Publish in appropriate outlets for Extension and research audiences, including peer-reviewed journals.

•Disseminate applied research results and educational materials through extension publications and other types of written, audio, and/or visual works.

•Participate in graduate student mentoring and education.

•Assist in other tasks as assigned by the department.

Special Instructions to the Applicant: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Full consideration will be given to applications received by Nov. 30, 2025. Candidates should submit their applications online via https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/456219. Required materials include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and contact information for three references. Applicants have the option of submitting up to three preprints/reprints of representative publications. Direct any additional questions about the position to Dr. Diane Bales, dbales@uga.edu, HDFS Search Committee chair.

About HDFS at UGA: The Department of Human Development and Family Science provides leadership in the field through cutting-edge research, pedagogy, and service. We are an interdisciplinary program focusing on individual, relationship, and family development within diverse ecological contexts. Faculty research interests include infancy and childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, adult development and aging, parenting and caregiving, interpersonal relationships, health and biobehavioral processes, diversity and culture, and the contexts of human development. We have a vibrant program with over 350 undergraduate majors, 48 graduate students, and 22 faculty members working in a collegial and supportive environment. Faculty in the department collaborate with numerous programs and institutions across campus, including the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research, the Georgia Center for Developmental Science, the Bio-Imaging Research Center, Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, the Institute on Human Development and Disability, the Institute of Gerontology, the McPhaul Child Development Center, Center for Family Research, and UGA Cooperative Extension. Additional information about the department can be found at: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs.

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Minimum Requirements: Earned doctorate degree in HDFS or closely related field (e.g., psychology, public health, gerontology, nutrition, etc.).
Additional Requirements: The candidate must demonstrate evidence of innovative thinking, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with faculty, students, extension colleagues, and community stakeholders to develop a collaborative research and Extension program.
Preferred Requirements:
•Extensive practical knowledge in behavioral health topics.
•One year of experience with Extension programming or working with farmers.

About The University of Georgia, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Additional information about the department can be found at: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs.

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