Learning and Cognition Tenure-Track Position
The Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota seeks an individual to contribute to the research, teaching, and service in the area of Learning and Cognition, with particular emphasis on higher-order thinking skills, problem-solving, comprehension, and/or critical thinking. This is a full-time, tenured or tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in a highly regarded college of a major urban research university beginning August 25, 2008. Located in the culturally diverse cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the University offers unique opportunities for research and participation in varied cultural communities. The new College of Education and Human Development is one of the top ranked professional schools of education in the nation. We are engaged in a bold and exciting institutional transformation to become a new, more inclusive, nationally distinctive College that will explore education and human development across the life span to increase the intellectual synergy and cooperative inquiry required to address the complexity of educational and social issues facing children, youth, and families in the 21st century and as stated in our mission: The new College of Education and Human Development is a world leader in discovering, creating, sharing, and applying principles and practices of multiculturalism and multidisciplinary scholarship to advance teaching and learning and to enhance the psychological, physical, and social development of children, youth, and adults across the lifespan in families, organizations, and communities. Additional information about the College and the Department can be found on the Internet: http://education.umn.edu. Specific responsibilities of the individual hired include, but are not limited to: Research: Develop and maintain a strong record of scholarship pertinent to educational issues, with a focus on higher-order cognitive skills and a commitment to securing external funds to support his or her scholarly inquiry. Research in educational settings is preferred but not required. Teaching: Provide introductory and advanced graduate-level instruction in learning and cognition including related topics. Depending on interests, the faculty member may teach courses in the undergraduate program currently under development and/or in the University’s teacher preparation program. These courses will build on the individual’s areas of expertise and research, which may include higher-order cognition, problem solving and critical thinking. Advise graduate students in Learning and Cognition and also serve on graduate committees for students in other areas of the Department and College, as well as provide consultation to other faculty members across the College. This person is expected to make strong contributions to the ongoing activities of the Program, the Department, the College, and the University. Service: Participate in Department, College, University, and other outreach and public engagement activities, including service on internal committees or task forces, making presentations to external constituencies. Participation in the activities of relevant professional organizations is required. Desired Background and Experience: Minimum qualifications: · An earned doctorate in educational psychology, psychology or a related field with an emphasis in higher-order cognition, particularly focusing on problem-solving, memory, decision making, discourse comprehension, or the study and implementation of learning strategies. Applications from ABD candidates will be considered provided the individual can document that he or she is on track to complete the doctorate by the start date of this position. If the successful candidate does not have a conferred doctorate by then, he or she will be appointed as a Teaching Specialist until such time as the degree is conferred.· Evidence of research potential and productivity in the form of research papers, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.· Research background and experience in the area of higher-order cognition, particularly focusing on problem-solving, memory, decision making, discourse comprehension, or the study and implementation of learning strategies. The individual must be commited to working across disciplines and within a multicultural context. Preferred qualifications: · Evidence of research productivity through peer-reviewed journal publications, book chapters, and books.· Scholarship related to learning and cognition within the preK-12 educational context. · Evidence of successful activity related to securing external research funding. · Higher education teaching and student advising experience at the graduate level in higher-order cognition and/or related areas.· Record of forming community/school collaborations and public engagement activities· Evidence of potential leadership in the learning & cognition area of the department. Appointment Details: The individual hired will be appointed into a full-time, 9-month position as a tenured or tenure/track Assistant or Associate Professor. The anticipated starting date for this appointment is August 25, 2008 and the salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Application Process: This position will remain open until filled, but the search committee will begin its review of applications on November 1, 2007. Completed applications will consist of a letter addressing qualifications, including a description of the focus of the individual's research program and a statement indicating how the candidate meets the stated expectations of the position; curriculum vitae; an academic transcript; and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three references. An on-line application is required for this position. Please access the University of Minnesota Employment System at https://employment.umn.edu and search for Requisition Number: 149757. Supporting materials such as the cover letter and curriculum vitae may be attached electronically to the on-line application or mailed to: Learning & Cognition Search, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, 206 Burton Hall, 178 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0211. The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
