Assistant Research Professor - School of Education and Human Development, Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Assistant Research Professor within Human Services (EDHS)  at the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL)
 
The School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for up to two Research Assistant Professors at the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). We are looking for applicants whose research focuses on understanding and addressing individual and institutional racial biases in early childhood education (ECE) contexts. We define ECE contexts inclusive of birth to 3rd grade settings and welcome applicants whose research is focused within the early elementary grades.
 
Example areas of focus within the ECE context include but are not limited to:

• Research-practice partnerships that seek to mitigate systemic racism in educational settings
• Understanding how racism and bias influence the development of children from marginalized backgrounds (i.e., children from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, children who are English Language Learners)
• Supporting learning and positive social, academic, and identity development in children from marginalized backgrounds
• Understanding and promoting equity and anti-racism in ECE contexts Interventions that address racial bias and promote anti-racist interactions within classrooms
• Strengthening home-school partnerships for families from minoritized backgrounds
• Supporting educators and educational settings in implementing evidence-based practices to reduce inequities and promote use of culturally responsive practices

 
The incumbent will work with faculty on current projects including statewide research, practice, and policy partnerships with the Virginia Department of Education including the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP), and Advancing Effective Interactions and Instruction (AEII). They will also be involved in a William T. Grant Foundation-funded randomized controlled trial to test the impact of a teacher-student relational intervention, Banking Time, to reduce the discipline gap between Black and White early elementary students. Other projects may include those housed within the YouthNex Center and the IES-funded National Center for Rural School Mental Health, which are focused on teachers' use of culturally responsive practices, racial literacy, social-emotional learning, positive behavior support, and anti-racist programming. The incumbent is expected and will be supported to develop a successful program of research as evidenced by publications in refereed journals and sponsored research.
 
Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Education, Psychology, or a related field
• A focus on understanding and addressing individual and institutional racial biases in ECE contexts (broadly defined as birth to 3rd grade settings)
• A minimum of two years of experience in planning and implementing educational research (this could have occurred during graduate or post-doctoral training) that includes birth to 3rd grade settings
• A record of scholarship within the fields of education and/or psychology that shows potential for continued growth as an independent scholar with a successful program of research
•  A commitment to diversity and equity through their scholarship
• This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

 
Applications: Review of applications will begin February 12, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Please apply through Workday (https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs)
 
For questions about this position, please contact the Search Chair Amanda P. Williford, Research Associate Professor of Education; Associate Director for Early Childhood Education, CASTL, at [email protected]. For questions about the application process, please contact Bethany Case, Academic Recruiter, at [email protected].  

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 and the University Physician's Group 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, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information