Research Assistant Professor

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The University of New Hampshire's Community Literacy Center (CLC), housed within the Department of Education in the College of Liberal Arts (COLA), is a resource for PreK–12 learners, families, and educators that supports the literacy learning of area children through collaboration with schools, families, and community organizations. This grant-funded position is focused primarily on research, with the Research Assistant Professor operating at a high level of scholarly independence and expertise across a portfolio of literacy-related initiatives.

The Research Assistant Professor will lead and contribute to research activities supporting the SLATE program — a U.S. Department of Education-funded initiative combining near-peer tutoring for middle school students with professional learning for teachers to enhance achievement in literacy, writing, and STEM — as well as the CLC's community-based research projects, including the Multilingual Book to Art program and Community Storytime, a program that brings UNH students to local community sites to read with children, lead book-inspired activities, and provide books to children in partnership with organizations such as food pantries, libraries, and afterschool programs.

As part of their grant-funded work, the Research Assistant Professor will advise and mentor graduate students who are funded through the grant. Additionally, as part of their CLC role, the Research Assistant Professor will provide mentored practicum opportunities for UNH Education students through Community Storytime and SLATE activities. The Research Assistant Professor will support the broader programmatic and community engagement endeavors of the CLC, contributing to its mission of connecting educators, pre-service teachers, youth, families, and UNH faculty around the shared goal of excellent literacy learning throughout New Hampshire. This position is not considered essential staff and is not required to report to work during periods of university curtailment.

Duties/Responsibilities

SLATE Research and Program Support (85%)

• Design, conduct, and oversee research studies related to the SLATE tutoring program, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Disseminate research findings through scholarly publications, conference presentations, and reports to funding agencies.
• Support UNH student tutors in lesson planning and instructional practice, providing mentorship and guidance.
• Collaborate with SLATE team members, partner schools, and community organizations to support program implementation and a shared research agenda.
• Advise and mentor doctoral SLATE-funded doctoral students.

CLC Community-Based Research and Program Support (10%)

• Lead and contribute to community-based research projects within the CLC, including the Multilingual Book to Art program and Community Storytime.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of CLC community engagement programs in partnership with community organizations, schools, and families.

Service and Grant Support (5%)

• Contribute to grant reporting, documentation, and compliance activities associated with funded projects.
• Participate in departmental and CLC meetings, committees, and initiatives as appropriate.
• Support future grant development efforts related to literacy research and community engagement.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in Education

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of current research and evidence-based practices in literacy instruction, including foundational literacy skills and reading and writing development across PreK–12 settings.
• Knowledge of issues and best practices related to multilingual learners and underrepresented student populations in literacy and STEM education.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods, with expertise in community-based research practices including practitioner research, action research, community action research, and research-practice partnerships (RPPs).
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting research data and translating findings into accessible formats for diverse audiences, including educators, community partners, and funding agencies.
• Skill in scholarly writing and the ability to produce publications, grant reports, and conference presentations.
• Skill in grant writing and securing external funding, including identifying funding opportunities and contributing to proposal development.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with K–12 schools, community organizations, families, and university colleagues.
• Ability to mentor and support undergraduate and graduate students in research and tutoring contexts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines across a complex, grant-funded work environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities, including families and children from historically underserved backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent the CLC and SLATE program professionally in community and academic settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting research in community-based or K–12 school settings, particularly in literacy or STEM education contexts.
• Experience working with multilingual learners and/or underserved student populations.
• Experience mentoring or supervising undergraduate or graduate students in research or tutoring contexts.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, schools, or families.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly publication and/or conference presentation in literacy, education, or a related field.
• Experience contributing to grant writing and/or management of externally funded projects.
• Familiarity with the SLATE program or similar cross-disciplinary literacy and STEM initiatives.
• Experience with program evaluation or assessment in educational settings.

Applicant Instructions: 

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)

• Resume/CV

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

Compensation Pay Range:

$65,000 - $74,658

The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon the candidate’s qualifications.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here:USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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