Assistant Professor in Elementary Literacy

Tenure Track, Educational Psychology

The Department of Educational Psychology ( http://ed-psych.utah.edu/) in the College of Education at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Reading and Literacy  Program, with primary responsibilities in research and teaching related to elementary literacy  and the Science of Reading.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, 4th-grade reading scores on the NAEP assessment fell to a 30-year low nationally. The University of Utah is committed to train future professionals to reverse these devasting trends and to engage in working with students with diverse backgrounds and abilities based on the  Science of Reading. The Reading & Literacy program in the Department of Educational Psychology offers research-based training of undergraduate and graduate students in areas related to reading and literacy . Faculty members in this program conduct basic or applied research in their areas of expertise and provide support to the department’s other graduate degree programs in Learning Sciences, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology as well as to the Urban Institute Teacher Education program.

Responsibilities:
In addition to service at the program, college, and university levels, responsibilities will include:
(1) developing and maintaining an ongoing program of rigorous scholarly research with a specific area of expertise related to the science of reading and literacy.

(2) designing, teaching, and coordinating core courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the science of reading and science of reading instruction, and literacy , and providing support for the teacher licensure program and its assessment.  
(3) developing partnerships with Utah school districts in supporting the implementation of the science of reading instruction.
(4) supervising graduate student masters’ theses and doctoral dissertations.
(5) seeking and securing external funding to support research.

Qualifications:
This position requires an earned doctorate in Educational Psychology, Teacher Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field with an emphasis on the scientific study of reading. Candidates should have a strong program of theory-driven, empirical research that includes the science of early reading and writing, teaching struggling readers and students with diverse backgrounds, or other literacy related research interests.

Candidates should be able to teach undergraduate literacy  courses and graduate level courses in reading/writing methods, literacy  acquisition, and related areas. Candidates need to demonstrate the ability to apply the science of reading to reading assessment and instruction as well as teacher preparation. They should demonstrate the skills to work collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders. Candidates should have educational experience with at-risk or struggling readers in PreK-12 classrooms, clinics, or similar settings.

Preference will be given to candidates with a strong commitment to research grounded in cognitive or neurological sciences and in school or other educational settings.  Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to educational equity and inclusion.

Application Process:
All applications must be submitted online via the University of Utah website. Do not send application materials directly to the department. As part of the application process, you are required to upload (1) a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement, (4) selected research manuscripts or journal articles, and (5) contact information for three individuals from whom letters of recommendation can be requested. File review will begin on March 15, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries and requests for further Information should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Seung-Hee Claire Son ( claire.son@utah.edu).

Setting:
The Reading & Literacy program offers Ph.D. (Literacy, Language, & Learning), M.S., and M.Ed. (in Literacy Education and Elementary  Education) degrees through the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Utah. The Reading & Literacy  program works closely with multiple units in the College of Education, including the Urban Institute of Teacher Education (UITE) and the Department of Special Education, by providing PreK-12 literacy  coursework. The program also works closely with the University of Utah Reading Clinic (UURC), which provides intensive intervention for struggling readers from many school districts throughout the state of Utah. Much of the graduate-level coursework provided by the program can be used by teachers to satisfy literacy  endorsements provided by the Utah State Board of Education.

Located in metropolitan Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, the University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution, an R1 university, and an invited member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).  The university emphasizes exceptional scholarship, quality teaching, and professional service. It serves over 35,000 students from across the U.S. and the world with over 72 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level at its Salt Lake City campus as well as at the Asia campus in Incheon, South Korea. The University of Utah encourages an active, holistic lifestyle, innovation, and collaborative thinking to engage students, faculty, and business leaders. Salt Lake City is a vibrant major metropolitan area with a diverse, multicultural population and numerous cultural and outdoor activities.