You belong at a university thats leading the way! The University of Florida is a major research institution that is leading the way by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) leveraging the brightest minds and educating the next generation of leaders to solve some of the worlds most formidable challenges. UF is ranked the 7th nationally among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. The Opportunity The University of Floridas College of Education seeks a visionary servant leader to serve as the next David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies with a faculty appointment in an academic unit (e.g. the School of Special Education School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies. This position is a 12month tenuretrack associate or full professor appointment. The Endowed Chair will also hold an administrative appointment as the Executive Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. The Center Director plays a key leadership role in shaping the future of early childhood studies and research at the University of Florida. This endowed and internationally recognized Center is committed to advancing knowledge policy and practice in early childhood studies with a focus on children from birth to age five and the systems that support them. Through transdisciplinary collaboration the Center ensures meaningful and optimal outcomes for young children and their families particularly those from underresourced communities and/or with special needs. The Director and Chair is expected to engage in highimpact research; secure external funding from various sources; mentor doctoral students postdoctoral associates and early career faculty; and influence public policy to improve early childhood systems. This publicfacing position provides the opportunity to collaborate with faculty across UFs colleges and research centers as well as with national and international partners to advance early childhood research policies and practices. The Center has partnered with UF Early Childhood Collaboratory at Baby Gator to strengthen connections among research policy and practice elevating early childhood studies including child development and education as a UF priority. Through these partnerships the Center implements and shares practical applications that drive transformative change leading to improved practices and policies. The Center emphasizes the 3Rs of Early Learning: Relationships Repetition Routines which form the foundation for supporting development learning and wellbeing of young children and their families. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and leadership as the Director for the Anita Zucker Center and Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies advancing transdisciplinary research and policy initiatives in early childhood. Research and Scholarship: Conduct highquality impactful research in early childhood studies and maintain a strong record of scholarly publications. Policy Engagement: Play a prominent role in national and international discussions on early childhood policy advocating for optimal outcomes for all young children their families and the practitioners that support them Collaboration and Outreach: Strengthen partnerships with UF entities national organizations and early childhood researchers and practitioners to bridge research policy and practice. Funding and Resource Development: Secure a broad array of external funding (e.g. grants contracts gifts) and partnerships to support the Centers initiatives. Expand the Centers impact by identifying and pursuing new opportunities building capacity and ensuring the sustainability of its initiatives. Mentorship and Professional Development: Mentor faculty graduate students and postdoctoral associates contributing to programmatic and faculty development. The University of Florida The University of Florida is one of Americas leading research universities and the flagship university of the state of Florida. As a Land Grant Sea Grant and Space Grant institution UF encompasses nearly all academic and professional disciplines offering a comprehensive educational and research environment. UF is a member of the Association of American Universities. UFs College of Education is dedicated to preparing exemplary practitioners and scholars generating impactful research and addressing critical educational challenges through collaborative partnerships. The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies plays a vital role in this mission contributing to groundbreaking research policy advancement and the preparation of future leaders in early childhood studies. The City of Gainesville |