Education: Assistant Professor, Science Education (initial review 2.16.23)
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Professor, Science EducationApplication Window
Open date: December 18, 2022
Most recent review date: Thursday, Feb 16, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Friday, Jun 30, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
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.)
Department: https://education.ucsc.edu/
Qualifications
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
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)
- 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.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.
Help contact: rrobison@ucsc.edu
Campus Information
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.
UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. Additional information and resources for compliance are located on the campus Health Center site
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