College of Education: Open-Rank Professor in Early Childhood Special Education
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Assistant / Associate / Full Professor in Early Childhood

Department of Special Education

College of Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Great Minds T hink ILLINOIS

The College of Education's mission extends far beyond the classroom: we aim to impact people's lives locally, nationally, and globally. Our world-class faculty and students lead scholarship on critical issues in education and are committed to innovation and discovery. As a top-ranked institution, we develop and apply new pedagogies and practices that improve understanding-supporting traditional, blended, and online learning. The Education at Illinois community shares the ideals of respect for diverse ideas and social identities; dedication to community engagement; and the responsibility to make scholarship accessible and inclusive for all.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a land-grant, AAU, high research activity institution. The University provides strong support for research and opportunities for collaboration with leaders across campus and in the field.

The Department of Special Education has a long history of leadership and innovation in the areas of inclusive education, advocacy, academics, and social-emotional and behavioral supports for persons with disabilities. Ranked in the top 10 best graduate programs in special education by U.S. News and World Report (2024), the department is committed to supporting disabled and non-disabled faculty, staff, and students to produce and disseminate new knowledge in special education across the lifespan through excellence in research, teaching, service, and public engagement. Our faculty employ a range of research methods, work in diverse educational and community settings, and prepare educational professionals at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Our faculty also provide leadership in national organizations and serve on editorial boards of highly-ranked journals. Current faculty research is funded with more than 16 million in federal, state, and private dollars, and promotes successful early childhood, school, and life outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Position:

The Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for two full-time tenure-track faculty positions in special education with expertise in early childhood special education.

Position Description:

We seek candidates at the assistant/associate/full professor rank with expertise in early childhood special education. These dynamic faculty members will contribute to a rich tradition of conducting influential research; securing external grant funding; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses; mentoring and advising graduate students; and providing university, state, and professional service. Successful candidates must have a strong interest in and commitment to both research and teacher education. Successful candidates at the rank of full professor may be considered for a named professorship.

Required Qualifications

• A doctorate in special education or a related field (by date of hire) with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Culturally responsive practices in early childhood (birth to age 6)
  • Supports for children birth to 3 with disabilities or delays (e.g., early intervention, Early Head Start, home visiting programs)
  • Family-centered practices for children birth to third grade
  • Workforce development in inclusive early childhood (birth to third grade) settings (e.g., personnel preparation, professional development, leadership practices)
• For hire at the assistant level, the potential for a line of research with a strong and sustained record of scholarship and the potential for external funding. For hire at the associate/full level, an established line of research with a strong and sustained record of scholarship and external funding.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Evidence of how professional experience in early childhood (e.g., as a teacher, early intervention provider, home visitor, etc.) manifests in ongoing research, teaching, service, and/or public engagement.
• Examples of effective university teaching.
• Experience addressing and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, teaching, service, and/or public engagement.
• Commitment to engaging and effectively collaborating with faculty, staff, and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of successful external grant proposal submission and funding as a principal investigator.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration through research, teaching, and service, and/or public engagement.
• Evidence of professional service.
• Experience leading and managing teams (e.g., research lab, grant).

Salary and Starting Date: The budgeted salary range for the position is $78,000 to $90,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $90,000 to $115,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $115,000 to $130,000 at the Full Professor level, for a nine-month service basis. The salary offered to the successful candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the candidate including equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market compensation for comparable jobs. The starting date is August 16, 2025.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm CT. All requested information must be submitted to be considered. Please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu . You must upload the following documents: (1) cover letter, in which evidence of required and preferred qualifications are articulated; (2) curriculum vitae; and (3) the contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Invitations to interview may be extended before the closing date of October 11; however, no hiring decision will be made before that date.

For further information regarding application procedures, you may contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Jessica Hardy ( jesskh@illinois.edu ). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:

• Dual Career Program

• Benefits

• Living in Champaign-Urbana

• Work-Life Balance & Family Friendly Programs

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID : 1026494
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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