The University of Florida seeks applications for the David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies, a 12-month tenure-track 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. These roles recognize an eminent scholar with a national or international reputation for research, policy leadership, and transformative initiatives in child development, and early childhood studies or education. The Director and Chair will provide visionary leadership to advance transdisciplinary research, policy, and practice that supports the development, well-being, learning, and optimal outcomes for young children and their families.
The David Lawrence, Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies will have a faculty appointment in an academic unit (e.g., the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies). 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 endowment serves as a robust reserve and resource for advancing the Center’s initiatives and the financially-sound Lawrence endowment will support the Chair holder’s own research activities.
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 high-quality, 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 Center’s initiatives. Expand the Center’s 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.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE: The College of Education at the University of Florida, founded in 1906, has consistently been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation in Online Graduate Education for the last nine years, No. 2 nationally for undergraduate education and 6th nationally among public and private education schools (U.S. News & World Report). Three of the College's academic programs occupy top-20 spots in the U.S. News rankings: Counselor Education (1st), Special Education (4th), and Elementary Education (14th). Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and public scholarship—often conducted in partnership with other UF colleges, school districts and communities across the state and nation—are yielding powerful learning systems and models that are helping to transform education in today’s changing world, starting with our youngest learners. Faculty researchers last year garnered more than $150.3 million in external awards supporting studies and projects addressing education’s most critical issues. With both on campus and online options, the college offers 29 bachelor’s and advanced degree programs and concentration areas, within nine academic specialties. To sustain the college's innovative edge, heightened emphasis on emerging technologies, student experience and interdisciplinary research will effectively prepare tomorrow's leaders in all education disciplines. The College's educator preparation programs have been continuously nationally accredited since 1954. Follow us: @UF_COE (X), @uf_coe (Instagram), @university-of-florida-college-of-education (LinkedIn), and @UF.COE (Facebook)
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: The University of Florida, founded in 1853, is a public land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant research university and one of the most academically diverse universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks UF 7th among public universities. National rankings such as 1st by the Wall Street Journal and 4th by Forbes in their respective lists of Public Universities are a result of UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value. UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes, and boasts more than 6,600 faculty members, 60,000 students and 405,000 living alumni. Faculty scholars last year generated more than $1.26 billion in research awards. UF recently launched a $70 million AI partnership with NVIDIA, taking the first step toward ensuring equitable access to bringing AI to students and faculty from across campus and the state. The Florida Legislature designated UF as a “preeminent'' state university in 2013.
ABOUT THE AREA: UF is situated in Gainesville in North Central Florida, a vibrant college town that blends big-city cultural and athletic offerings with small-town friendliness and charm, along with excellent schools. Gainesville, located about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is often recognized as one of America’s best college towns and is easily accessible to three major metropolitan areas (Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa). The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Gainesville as a “Tree City USA” every year since 1982. USA Today ranked Gainesville as the number one place to move in the Sunshine State. Add the allure of Florida’s famous sunshine, tropical breezes, and abundant wilderness, springs, rivers and seashores nearby, and it is little wonder that top-caliber faculty and students find our College and University to be the perfect balance of premier academics and a fulfilling lifestyle.
