Assistant Professor Jobs in Virginia
Assistant Professor jobs in Virginia are concentrated in higher education, research, and public policy, with strong demand across the state's network of research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges. The largest hiring hubs are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Charlottesville, where institutions such as George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Virginia maintain consistent faculty pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include STEM fields, nursing and health sciences, and public administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- 20002277
- Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
- College of Business
- Instructional / Teaching Faculty
- Faculty (Salaried)
- James Madison University
Working Title: Assistant Professor of Sport and Recreation Management
State Role Title: N/A
Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: College of Business
Department: 100624 - Hospitality, Sport and Rec Management
Pay Band: N/A
Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience
Specify Range or Amount:
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 10/17/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
The Hart School of Hospitality, Sport, & Recreation Management at James Madison University is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Sport & Recreation Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, set to begin in Fall 2027.
The Hart School is an affiliate academic unit in the College of Business. The Hart School serves approximately 1,000 students in both Sport & Recreation Management and Hospitality Management along with a Sport & Recreation Leadership program with more than 40 students at the Master’s level. Our mission is to engage in transformational education through innovative teaching, scholarship, and service.
Duties and Responsibilities:
We are seeking an innovative and collaborative faculty member for teaching undergraduate courses in Sport & Recreation Management and possibly graduate courses in Sport & Recreation Leadership (3/3 teaching load). Applicants should have the ability to teach the following courses: Foundations of Leadership in SRM, SRM Seminar, Introduction to SRM, Management in Sport & Recreation, Sport Marketing & Sales, and Facilities & Event Management. The applicant must be able to show evidence of a clear research agenda, the ability to work independently on research, and a willingness to engage in collaborative scholarship with faculty and students across disciplines. The applicant should also be prepared to engage in service to the university, community, department, and profession.
Qualifications:
The applicant must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in sport management or a closely related field. The degree must be conferred (on transcript) by 8/10/2027 (contract start date). Strong ABD candidates will be considered only under the condition the Ph.D. can be conferred by 8/10/2027. The applicant must demonstrate strong commitment to teaching as well as evidence of successful publications or a 3-5-year plan for an active scholarship agenda. It is preferred that the applicant has previous experience working within professional sport and/or intercollegiate athletics.
Additional Posting Information:
- Cover letter articulating interest and qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Scholarship Philosophy and Research Agenda (Other Document #1)
- Documentation related to teaching effectiveness (Course Evaluations)
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Contact information for three references
Questions about this position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu. Please DO NOT send “paper” application packets or supplemental materials; all application materials must be submitted online.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
See All 114+ Assistant Professor Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Assistant Professor JobsAssistant Professor Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Professor Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Virginia29

- Virginia Commonwealth University11

- Virginia Tech10

- George Mason University10

- James Madison University8

Top Industries Hiring
- Education43
- Food & Beverage4
- Science & Research1
- Agriculture & Farming1
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant professor jobs across Virginia.
- Terminal degree in the field, typically a PhD or MFA, required for appointment
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research, publication, or creative scholarship
- Evidence of effective undergraduate or graduate teaching experience
- Active participation in professional societies or relevant academic service
- Ability to develop and teach courses in the department's curriculum
- Strong written and oral communication skills for teaching and grant writing
Assistant Professor Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant professor in Virginia?
To become an assistant professor in Virginia, you typically need to earn a terminal degree in your discipline, most often a PhD, and build a portfolio of scholarship, teaching, and service. Virginia institutions follow the national tenure-track hiring model, so candidates apply through faculty searches coordinated by individual departments. Candidates in health-related fields may also need an active Virginia professional license issued through the Department of Health Professions before beginning clinical teaching duties.
Which companies hire assistant professors in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring assistant professors in Virginia include University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's high concentration of research universities, military-adjacent institutions, and state-funded community colleges keeps faculty hiring active across a wide range of academic disciplines year-round.
Which Virginia cities have the most assistant professor jobs?
Charlottesville, Lexington, and Fairfax are the Virginia cities with the most assistant professor openings. Northern Virginia's growth is driven by the proximity to federal agencies and a cluster of large research universities, Richmond's openings reflect its concentration of public and private four-year institutions, and Charlottesville's activity centers on the University of Virginia and its affiliated health system.
Are there remote assistant professor jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're limited. About 17% of assistant professor openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fact that most faculty roles require in-person instruction, lab supervision, or student advising. The sub-areas most likely to offer online or hybrid arrangements are fully asynchronous online programs and certain continuing education or professional development courses.
How can I get hired as a assistant professor in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting instructor position, both of which large Virginia research universities use to develop candidates for eventual tenure-track roles. Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, and the University of Virginia regularly post postdoc and lecturer openings that serve as proving grounds. Building a teaching portfolio through adjunct positions at Virginia community colleges, combined with at least one peer-reviewed publication, gives applicants the strongest competitive edge for full-time searches.
Where can I find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia faculty openings across universities, colleges, and research institutions. Search the listings to see roles that match your discipline and institution type, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 114+ Assistant Professor Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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