Assistant Professor

Overview

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in early childhood education/child development (birth – age 8). This nine-month academic year, tenure-track, full-time, benefited position is anticipated to begin August 2026. The position will be housed in the new Uintah School District's state-of-the-art Central Cove Early Learning Center on the Utah State University Vernal Campus. The review of applications will begin on October 6, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Nominations and inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Lisa Boyce, (435) 797-2713; [email protected]).

Responsibilities

• Teach HDFS courses specializing in early childhood development and early childhood education (birth – age 8) using innovative teaching methodologies, including hybrid and online instruction, to meet the needs of a geographically diverse student population.
• Collaborate with the Central Cove Early Learning Center leadership team to develop, implement, and evaluate its strategic improvement plan.
• Conduct and publish research in area of expertise.
• Mentor students in the discipline.
• Provide service to the department, college, university, community, state, and scholarly discipline as appropriate.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered and eligible for appointment after degree completion.
• Expertise in early childhood education best practices.
• Evidence of the ability to be an effective instructor and mentor.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative and/or qualitative research with children in early childhood education (birth – age 8).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with distance teaching technologies, including web-based education.
• Successful grant writing experience.
• Capacity to foster collaborative work within the department and across the college and university.
• Experience with NAEYC or other accreditation for early childhood centers.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

A curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"

Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., course evaluations) to be uploaded under "Other Documents 1-10"

A sample of academic writing to be uploaded under "Other Documents 1-10"

Contact information for three academic references to be provided in the Candidate Profile

A cover letter to be typed/pasted into a text box at the end of application

• The cover letter should address the position's qualifications, including teaching and research experience, teaching philosophy, and philosophy of early childhood education (birth – age 8)

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

Department Highlights

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is one of eight departments and three distinguished centers in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Sciences. The department has 22 faculty members, over 300 undergraduate majors, and 50 graduate students. The HDFS department is committed to supporting innovative problem-focused research, transformative and work-force ready educational experiences, and state-of-the-art clinical training. HDFS faculty are dynamic and collaborative interdisciplinary scholars possessing a broad range of expertise across content and contexts. Our work is impact-focused, drawing on and contributing to the USU land-grant mission, bolstered by our connections with USU Extension. Faculty, staff, and students are committed to understanding, communicating, and implementing research, education, and practice, showcasing how HDFS supports the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Utah and beyond.

College Highlights

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is committed to academic excellence in research, teaching, and service activities across a wide array of education and human service fields.  The college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and high-level graduate and undergraduate education. The college’s programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center, Center for the School of the Future, Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice, National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management, and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. Faculty, students, and staff within the college also engage with a broad range of community partners to both provide opportunities for community-engaged research projects and learning, which enhances the overall quality of education and human service programs throughout the state of Utah.

Central Cove Early Learning Center

Central Cove Early Learning Center is a state-of-the-art, 43,500-square-foot facility designed to foster inclusive, purposeful, and exploratory learning experiences for up to 384 students. The center features 12 integrated classrooms, two sensory rooms, a Kid's Kitchen, a Makerspace (STEAM room), an expansive indoor playground, and two inclusive outdoor playgrounds—one with traditional equipment and another offering a naturalistic space for exploratory, nature-based play. The hallmark of Central Cove is the collaborative support provided by on-site specialists, including Early Childhood Special Education Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists and Technicians, Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, a Physical Therapist, a School Psychologist, special education aides, and skilled classroom staff. These professionals work together to embed interventions and support into daily classroom interactions through a combination of push-in and pull-out services, ensuring individualized attention within an inclusive learning environment. This thoughtfully designed, world-class facility reflects Central Cove's commitment to nurturing children's growth through play, collaboration, and meaningful relationships, preparing every student for engaged learning and healthy connections with their families and peers.

Utah State University, Uintah Basin Campus Highlights

The Uintah Basin Campus offers excellent access to higher education for approximately 900 students across the Roosevelt and Vernal campuses, as well as through remote learning for students in rural Utah. Located in one of the state’s most diverse and dynamic regions near the Colorado border, USU Uintah Basin also serves the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, expanding educational opportunities in a historically underserved area. Spanning nearly 15,000 square miles in northeastern Utah, the Uintah Basin forms an asymmetric bowl east of the Wasatch Mountains and south of the Uintah Mountains. Once driven by agriculture and mining, the region's economy has since diversified, with energy extraction and tourism becoming key industries. Utah is a paradise for outdoor recreation, and local attractions include Dinosaur National Monument, Starvation Reservoir State Park, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and the Uintah Wilderness Area. Residents enjoy easy access to breathtaking natural landscapes and year-round recreational activities, including world-class hunting, fishing, rafting, and hiking.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected]. 

*updated 12/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 10/2025