Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation (RMME) Assistant Professor

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in the Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation program at the rank of Assistant Professor.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct research in research methods, measurement, evaluation, statistics, data science, and/or related areas. We are particularly interested in candidates with interest and experience in educational measurement (such as psychometrics, item response theory, cognitive diagnostic assessment). We are also interested in candidates whose research sits at the intersection of educational measurement and data science (including computational and network psychometrics, natural language processing, Bayesian methods, and machine learning with educational data). However, we are also open to applications from emerging scholars with other interests in statistics, evaluation, measurement, and quantitative methods applied to problems of educational research. In addition to research, this individual will be expected to teach appropriate courses (mainly at the graduate level), engage in scholarly activities, advise graduate students, serve on master's and doctoral committees, and participate in outreach and service activities.

The University of Connecticut’s Educational Psychology Department is regularly ranked among the top of its kind in the nation, per U.S. News & World Report. With nearly 40 faculty members, the Department is among the most productive at the University. In addition to the program in Research, Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation, the Educational Psychology Department has programs in Learning Sciences; Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology; Educational Technology; Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development; School Psychology; and Special Education.

The Neag School of Education stands out as a major contributor to instructional and research excellence at the University of Connecticut, one of the nation’s leading public higher education institutions. With academic departments dedicated to educational leadership, educational psychology, and curriculum and instruction, the Neag School also offers a five-year integrated bachelor’s/master’s program in teacher education and a one-year, post-baccalaureate teacher education program. According to the U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Graduate Schools, the Neag School ranks among the top 20 public graduate schools of education in the nation and has two specialty programs ranked in the top 25 nationally: Elementary Teacher Education and Special Education.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities include engaging in research, including securing extramural funding to support research efforts; teaching courses in the Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation program; advising graduate students; and contributing to the program, Department, School, University, and state through service and outreach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned Ph.D. in quantitative research methods, measurement, evaluation, statistics, data science, or a related field by August 23, 2023.
• Focused research agenda, or potential for such, in quantitative methods, measurement, evaluation, statistics, or data science as applied to educational contexts.
• Research interests in educational domains (i.e., PK-12 and/or higher education).
• Demonstrated potential to teach graduate level classes in measurement and/or data science.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A record of or demonstrated potential for scholarly productivity in research methods, measurement, evaluation, statistics, or data science as applied to educational contexts. A record of or demonstrated potential for securing external research funding.
• Research interests and expertise in measurement and/or data science.
• A record of or demonstrated potential for quality teaching.
• A record of or demonstrated potential for advising master’s and doctoral students.
• Demonstrated potential for collaborating with faculty in the research methods, measurement, and evaluation program and with faculty across the school of education.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience and expertise in statistical programming (e.g. R and/or Python).

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2023. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/22930 and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research and scholarship statement (including innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.)
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.)
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• One writing sample (i.e., journal article or similar)
• Contact information including the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references  

Evaluation of applicants will begin on October 31, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. For more information regarding the Department of Educational Psychology please visit the Department's website at http://epsy.education.uconn.edu.

Questions about the position should be directed to Christopher Rhoads, Ph.D., Search Chair, at christopher.rhoads@uconn.edu. 

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This job will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.