College:   College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

Department: Department of Child and Family Studies, Rightpath Research & Innovation Center

Position Number: 00030844

Position Title: Assistant/Associate Professor

Tenure Status: Tenure Earning

Salary Range: Competitive salary 

Months: 9 months

Organizational Summary: The Rightpath Research and Innovation Center aims to reduce educational disparities through innovative applied research, strategic partnerships, and training the next generation of educational researchers. Rightpath offers mentoring opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. More information is available at  https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/cfs/rightpath/index.aspx     

About the College: The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) prepares students to improve the quality of life, health, and safety of diverse populations and to promote positive change in individuals, groups, communities, organizations and systems through multidisciplinary teaching and research, service, and engagement with community partners. https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/

Position Description:

The Department of Child and Family Studies in the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor to join its Rightpath Research and Innovation Center. The faculty of Rightpath employ cutting edge research methods to develop, evaluate, and disseminate tools, strategies, and programs that elevate the achievement and outcomes of vulnerable children. With a focus on prevention, Rightpath faculty work to improve social-emotional development and academic achievement in young children who are at risk of poor outcomes due to limited English language proficiency, low socioeconomic status, unequal access to high quality education programs and services, and communication, learning, behavioral, or intellectual disabilities.

This is a tenure-earning 9-month Assistant/Associate faculty position. The position will include both research and teaching. Faculty in Rightpath teach in a variety of graduate programs within the college. The role will include responsibilities for research and grant writing, advising graduate students, teaching, and departmental, university, and community service.  The successful applicant must meet University of South Florida criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, including holding a doctoral degree from an accredited institution, experience in research and grant writing, and experience in university teaching. This position will be part of the USF Tampa Campus.

Submission Documents:

To ensure the fair and equitable evaluation of all candidates, the following criteria will be used in reviewing the applicants’ qualifications. Ranges for rating the criteria are weighted in terms of importance to the position.  Applicants are required to submit the following in support of their application:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in a social or behavioral sciences related field and meet the university criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor. Assessment of the qualifications will be adjusted to the rank of the applicant (e.g., Assistant or Associate).
• Demonstrated record of achievement in research and teaching commensurate with experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in coordinating or directing large-scale federal research grants
• Experience with grant writing
• Evidence of a research focus on children (early childhood; K-8) experiencing societal factors that put them at risk for poor developmental outcomes and low academic achievement
• Evidence of scholarly activity through peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Teaching experience with undergraduate and graduate students
• Experience with research populations who are experiencing risk factors that impact social-emotional development and/or academic achievement.
• Interdisciplinary research experience

CBCS Points of Pride:

• We are proud to be home to a diverse student body comprised of 25.2% Hispanic, 10% Black, and 53.5% white individuals from 35 countries. In addition, the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences leads the university in the percentage of Pell Grant recipients who graduate in four years.
• Our faculty have exceptional research agendas and bring in research and grant contracts totaling over $30 million each year. This research is often characterized by interdisciplinary approaches and active engagement with community partners.
• The college is deeply involved in the community with students completing more than 300,000 service hours valued at an estimated $7.7 million per year. Our hundreds of community partners include law enforcement agencies, mental health and behavioral healthcare organizations, social service agencies, healthcare organizations, federal and state agencies, and public school systems.
• We have a strong commitment to mental health and wellness. The free, online Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace course developed by college faculty and staff has attracted 5,500 people.
• Eight CBCS faculty members were named American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows for their outstanding contributions to research since 2018.
• Three CBCS graduate programs are among the nation's top 50, and two programs are in the top 100, according to rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
• USF is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, which is comprised of 71 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada. As an AAU member institution, USF continues to grow its research profile, as members earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research.

Information for Applicants 

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

This position is subject to Foreign Influence Screening: During the 2021 Florida legislative session, House Bill 7017 (“HB 7017”)  was passed and later signed into law by Governor DeSantis.  The new law modifies a variety of Florida Statutes to address concerns regarding improper foreign influence.  With regard to employment at major research institutions like the University of South Florida, the new law requires thorough review of certain applicants for positions involving research.  

Job Opening Number: 35252

Posting Date:  09/28/2023

Posting End Date: Open until filled

First round of application reviews will take place December 1, 2023

How To Apply 

Click on the Apply Now button.  When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.  YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

Click here for additional tutorial information.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University's Title IX Coordinator.

Federal Rights

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) , Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .

Work Location 

Campus map and location overview: USF - Tampa Campus

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF 

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region.  At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees.  We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

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