Endowed Chair and Executive Director, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

59d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

A doctorate in an appropriate field related to early childhood studies or education, child development, or a related discipline
A distinguished record of research and scholarship in early childhood studies and/or child development
Tenure eligible as an (advanced) associate or full professor
National or international recognition for leadership and impact in child development, early childhood studies or education
Proven success in securing and administering external funding from various sources (e.g., federal, state, foundation)
Experience mentoring doctoral students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty colleagues
A commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in higher education administration, policy formulation and advocacy for child development or early childhood studies
Experience leading a research center with affiliated faculty and staff
Experience developing and implementing large-scale research or policy initiatives
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with academic, government, and nonprofit organizations

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.

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