Assistant Professor Expertise in Science Education
The Education Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor with professional and research expertise in Science Education and a focus on learning and teaching in PK-12 schools or family/community/after-school settings. We seek a scholar with evidence of a promising research program; publications and extramural funding appropriate to the applicant’s career stage; expertise in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods designs; and the capacity to develop externally funded research grants, research-practice partnerships, community-engaged scholarship, engagements with life or physical scientists or engineers on campus, or other collaborations. Possible areas of specialization include (but are not limited to) biology education, environmental education, indigenous epistemologies in science education, equity and justice in science education, language and literacy in science education, informal science education, community science, or science education with families/communities.
- Candidates should have experience with and a research focus on working toward equity and justice for racially and linguistically minoritized students. We are particularly interested in a colleague whose scholarship engages the transformational capacities of education for the least-advantaged children and communities and animates the promise of schools and other public institutions to forge a just democracy.
- The successful candidate will have demonstrated the capability to teach successfully across the department’s programs (Undergraduate Major in Education, Democracy and Justice (EDJ), Minors in Education and STEM Education, MA/Teaching Credential, and PhD programs); collaborate with our teacher education instructors and teacher supervisors; advise and mentor undergraduate, MA/Credential, and PhD students; and work with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.
- We seek candidates whose scholarship, teaching, and service advance anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, and justice in education. UC Santa Cruz values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to hiring faculty who will work to advance these values. UC Santa Cruz is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) with a high proportion of first-generation students. We welcome candidates who understand the barriers facing historically oppressed groups in PK-12 and higher education (as evidenced by life experiences and educational background) and who can clearly articulate participation in equity and diversity advancement efforts with respect to teaching, mentoring, research, and service towards building an equitable and scholarly environment. Activities promoting equity and inclusion at UC Santa Cruz will be recognized as important university service during the faculty promotion process. More information can be found: https://apo.ucsc.edu/diversity.html
- The chosen candidate will be expected to sign a statement representing that they are not the subject of any ongoing investigation or disciplinary proceeding at their current academic institution or place of employment, nor have they in the past ten years been formally disciplined at any academic institution/place of employment. In the event the candidate cannot make this representation, they will be expected to disclose in writing to the hiring Dean the circumstances surrounding any formal discipline that they have received, as well as any current or ongoing investigation or disciplinary process of which they are the subject. (Note that discipline includes a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve a matter related to substantiated misconduct.)
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Doctorate or equivalent foreign degree in Science Education, STEM Education, Learning Sciences, or closely related fields. Degree requirements expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements
- Cover Letter – Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
- Curriculum Vitae – The curriculum vitae should include published papers and manuscripts accepted for publication, proposals submitted and awarded, classes taught, students mentored, awards, and other relevant signs of preparation and recognition.
- Statement of Research (up to 2 pages) – This statement should focus on 1) your three most innovative achievements, 2) your overall goals and vision for a research program at UC Santa Cruz, 3) and the experience and qualifications that make you particularly well-suited to achieve those goals.
- Statement of Teaching and Mentoring (up to 2 pages) – This statement should focus on 1) your previous teaching contributions and future teaching goals, 2) your previous mentoring contributions and future mentoring goals, 3) your approach to using inclusive and effective practices in teaching and mentoring.
- Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (up to 2 pages) – This statement should address your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review guidelines on statements (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/diversity.html) before preparing their application.
- Publication – One required sample publication (relevant article or book chapter or dissertation chapter) must be submitted that represents innovative research achievements, and any knowledge of and accomplishments in teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints, accepted, in review, or in prep manuscripts may be submitted.
- Publication (1 of 2 optional) – Sample publication (relevant article or book chapter or dissertation chapter) may be submitted that represents innovative research achievements, and any knowledge of and accomplishments in teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints, accepted, in review, or in prep manuscripts may be submitted.
(Optional)
Publication (2 of 2 optional) – Sample publication (relevant article or book chapter or dissertation chapter) may be submitted that represents innovative research achievements, and any knowledge of and accomplishments in teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints, accepted, in review, or in prep manuscripts may be submitted.
(Optional)
Reference requirements
3-4 letters of reference required
Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation (a minimum of three (3) are required and a maximum of four (4) will be accepted). Please note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
Department: https://education.ucsc.edu/
Assistant Professor Expertise
