The University of Virginia seeks scholars to assume two faculty positions in education policy and applied research methods. Through these positions, the University seeks to build on the strong foundation and collaboration in education policy and quantitative analytics that exists across the School of Education and Human Development (EHD), the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the School of Data Science.
The first is an open rank tenured/tenure-eligible position, with a preference for a senior scholar. This position is open to scholars with broad interests across the P-12 continuum who share a commitment to applied quantitative research that is directly relevant to education policy and practice. This position is part of a multi-year cluster hire initiative at the University of Virginia focused on educational research with implications for public policy. We anticipate that this hire would play a key and potentially a leadership role in the EdPolicyWorks Center, which is co-hosted by EHD and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. This Center is a vibrant interdisciplinary research center that provides a home for faculty and Ph.D. students from across the University interested in education policy. There is also an opportunity to participate in several data-intensive projects between EHD and the School of Data Science, which span work from large-scale data systems in statewide projects to classroom simulation and machine learning. This includes participation in the newly formed Collaboratory for the Advancement of Education and Data Science, a partnership between EHD and the School of Data Science to leverage advances in data science methods to create a new generation of education researchers that have the ability to envision and address problems through a data science perspective. Senior scholars with a demonstrated record of leadership, publications, and sponsored research in P-12 education policy, as well as and an interest and experience in evolving quantitative methods are encouraged to apply. This position will be joint between the School of Education and Human Development and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and/or the School of Data Science.
Required Qualifications (Senior/Open Rank Position):
- Doctoral degree in education policy, public policy, quantitative methods, economics, psychology, political science, sociology, human development, or closely related discipline
- A strong interest in and commitment to actively participating in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment
- Demonstrated record of leadership, publications, influential scholarship and sponsored research related to problem(s) of significance in P-12 education policy
- Explicit evidence of commitment to diversity and of advancing understanding and outcomes for underrepresented groups
Preferred Qualifications (Senior/Open Rank Position):
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to actively participating in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment
- Experience advising and mentoring doctoral students and overseeing doctoral student research
The second position is for a tenure-eligible assistant professor in the Department of Education, Leadership, Foundations, and Policy in the School of Education and Human Development. The successful candidate will focus on applied research methods with interests in principles of research design, data analytics, policy/practice partnerships, replication/open science, effective communication and dissemination of findings, and use of data (e.g., data visualization) to inform decisions at all levels of education. This second position aligns with and helps advance the goals of the Institute of Education Sciences-funded Virginia Education Science Pre-doctoral Training (VEST) Program. We are seeking candidates whose primary research is focused on quantitative analytics and has expertise in a range of advanced quantitative methods, as well as an appreciation for a broad range of methods that are needed in education sciences. In addition to contributing to multi-disciplinary research, this person will be expected to teach pre-doctoral students engaged in research that uses qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches. The person hired into this position will also be expected to work collaboratively with students and faculty on topic areas in applied developmental science, quantitative methods, and education policy, which may include P-20 education contexts, educational inequality, English Language Learners, or social-emotional learning. In addition to potential connections with scholars and programs through the EdPolicyWorks Center, there are opportunities for collaboration with scholars and programs through the other EHD centers, including the Center for Advancing the Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL), Youth-Nex Center to Promote Effective Youth Development, and the Center for Race and Public Education in the South.
Required Qualifications (VEST-related Assistant Professor Position):
- Doctoral degree in education policy, public policy, quantitative methods, economics, psychology, human development, or a closely related discipline
- A strong interest in and commitment to actively participating in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment
- Demonstrated interest in principles of research design, data analytics, policy/practice partnerships, replication/open science and effective communication of data to inform decisions at all levels of education.
- Explicit evidence of commitment to diversity and of advancing understanding and outcomes for underrepresented groups
- Evidence of scholarly productivity and promise
- Potential to contribute to the training goals of the Institute of Education Sciences funded Virginia Education Science Pre-doctoral Training (VEST) Program
Preferred Qualifications (VEST-related Assistant Professor Position):
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to actively participating in an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment
- Experience advising and mentoring doctoral students and overseeing doctoral student research
Applications:
Review of applications will begin March 3, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit (preferably merged as one document):
- Cover letter indicating your interest in the Junior VEST position or the Open Rank Education Policy position;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Summary of research interests;
- Teaching experience and philosophy;
- Diversity statement that describes active or potential contributions to diversity‐related research, teaching, and/or service;
- and the contact information for three professional references.
Please apply through Workday, complete an application, combine/merge all materials into one PDF and submit in the resume field. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. (References will not be contacted until after in-person interviews are conducted.)
For questions about this position, please contact the Search Chair Jim Wyckoff, Professor. For questions about the application process, please contact Bethany Case, Academic Recruiter.
UVA is proud to have a strong culture of collaboration and collegiality and is committed to creating collaborative and diverse environments necessary to develop and deliver quality research and educational programs. Successful candidates will help build bridges and be engaged in cross-disciplinary programs between schools at the University. We especially encourage applications for both positions from individuals who are members of underrepresented groups and who have worked to support the broadening of student access to careers in education, policy, and data science.
The University of Virginia welcomes applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; we seek to build a culturally diverse intellectual environment. We are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers.
The University of Virginia offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including Ph.D. programs in Education Policy, Applied Developmental Science, and Research Statistics and Evaluation. In addition to the existing programs and partnerships between the School of Education and Human Development and the Batten School, UVA’s new School of Data Science is also actively engaged in developing formal structures to support collaboration between faculty and students across schools.
Charlottesville and central Virginia offer a distinctive community for both personal and professional activities. Charlottesville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is consistently listed among the top cities in national rankings of the most desirable places to live. It offers a thriving community, highlighted by regular literary, film, musical, theatrical, and historical festivals. For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit http://uvacharge.virginia.edu/guide.html. UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more please visit https://dualcareer.virginia.edu/.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.