Assistant Professor - Applied Behavioral Science
Applied Behavioral Science
Position Overview
The University of Kansas seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in early childhood education (possible areas of focus include skills assessment, skill acquisition, verbal behavior, child development, language development, literacy, or others) in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science to begin 8/18/2024. This position is a full-time, academic-year appointment. In addition to expertise in early childhood education, a successful candidate must be able to teach core behavior analytic courses in our undergraduate and graduate programs (e.g., research methods, conceptual foundations, principles).
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $275 million of externally funded research annually).
KU has 21 programs ranked in the U.S. News & World Report top 25 among public universities, including #1 rankings for graduate programs in public administration and special education. KU has 65 ranked graduate programs and is ranked 24th in best value among public institutions in 2022. KU offers 5,000 courses, 400 degree and certificate programs, and more than 200 fields of study. The University values global engagement with more than 150 programs of international study and cooperative research and offers more than 130 study abroad programs. Student enrollment for the Lawrence-Edwards was 23,958 representing all 50 states and 112 countries.
At KU we make it our mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. We aspire to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. KU’s strategic plan Jayhawks Rising is focused on objectives to accomplish this vision through three mission-based priorities of student success, healthy and vibrant communities, research, and discovery. At the University of Kansas, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are an important part of our culture and university strategic plan. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education. Noting the value that differences bring to our organization, students, staff, faculty, and community. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community — a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, diverse local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Home to nearly 95,000 people, Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theatre venues, and professional sports teams.
Job Description
The College emphasizes interdisciplinary, experiential learning and global awareness, houses a vibrant university wide Honors Program that highlights undergraduate research and service activities, and has created strong affiliations with outstanding cross-disciplinary research centers. Faculty and academic staff have emphasized the importance of continuing and expanding on relationships with centers and entities including the Biodiversity Institute, Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas Geological Survey, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Life Span Institute, the Institute for Policy and Social Research, the Spencer Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. These relationships have brought a broad range of disciplines together to pursue and conduct sponsored research and education at the international, national, state, regional and local levels, and have created employment structures in which faculty and academic staff share appointments to emphasize collaboration. College faculty and research staff are welcomed as members in all KU’s designated research centers and institutes. The College is home to internationally recognized scholars and scientists who brought in $44M in research funding in FY 2021, nearly 30% of the total funded research at KU Lawrence.
The Department of Applied Behavioral Science is one of the top 10 behavior analytic graduate programs based on research rankings (see Dixon et al., 2015) and second-most research-productive in applied behavior analysis (see Wilder et al., 2015).
Job Duties
Teaching (40%):
- Develop and teach the equivalent of four seminar or lecture courses per year.
- Prepare for and attend all class meetings.
- Develop and administer assignments, class activities, and tests; respond to and evaluate student work; provide timely feedback to students; and assign grades.
- Hold regular office hours for students involved in classes taught.
- Adhere to departmental, college and university policies.
Research (40%)
- Establish and maintain a non-human and/or human animal laboratory.
- Engage in scholarly activity, publications, and presentations.
- Supervise graduate and undergraduate research assistants.
Service (20%):
- Serve on departmental, college, and/or University committees and actively contribute to the working of the University community.
- Participate in professional and public service activities
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in Applied Behavioral Science, Psychology, Special Education, or related disciplines (with expertise in applied behavior analysis) for instruction of graduate courses, OR all requirements completed for a PhD except for the dissertation defense. In the latter situation, the hired candidate must complete all requirements for the PhD by August 2024.
- Board Certification in Behavior Analysis.
- At least one semester of teaching experience at the university or college level.
Contact Information to Applicants
Applied Behavioral Science Department
Department Chairperson
785-864-0521
fdreed@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
For more information and to apply, go to
https://employment.ku.edu/academic/26277BR. A complete online application includes the following materials: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) research agenda; (4) teaching philosophy statement; and (5) the names, email and contact information for three professional references. In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant's contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU's mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application:
- Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Applicants are also encouraged to include or expand upon how they have contributed to building a culture of belonging through DEI initiatives within the required application materials provided.
Application review will begin October 23, 2023 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is obtained.
