Axinn is a professor of survey research, population studies, sociology and public policy at the University of Michigan. His work in social demography centers on community, intergenerational, and social psychological influences on marriage, childbearing, reproductive health, mental health, and the natural environment.

Axinn also studies new techniques for the collection of social science data. He serves as director of the Chitwan Valley Family Study, a mixed method, longitudinal study in Nepal and is the inaugural Ronald and Deborah Freedman Director of the International Research Hub.