Early Literacy CLSD Postdoctoral Fellow

The Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum in the College of Education at the University of Missouri invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship position. This Postdoctoral Fellow will work with Drs. Angie Zapata and Candace Kuby on the Family, Community, and Emergent Literacy Birth-K with Transitional Support to Grade 3 (Early Literacies Study) funded by the United States Department of Education in partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of the Show Me Literacies Collaborative.

The Early Literacies research is part of a larger study ( https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/curriculum/comprehensive-literacy-state-development-program ) to support educators’ working knowledge of evidence-based literacy strategies to effectively teach reading and writing to all students. This includes providing professional development to pre-service teachers in institutions of higher education, early childhood education teachers and K-12 educators to enable them to provide effective instruction. This grant will additionally support districts with developing evidenced-based literacy plans to implement in their local schools and provide support for families. We are looking for qualified Postdoctoral Fellows with experience in the areas of early language and literacies education including community literacies, family literacies, and other relevant areas of study.

About Learning, Teaching, & Curriculum: LTC houses a suite of bachelor's degree programs leading to teacher certification and offers a doctoral program with emphases in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Reading Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. Educational Specialist degrees are offered in Literacy Education, Mathematics Education, and Science Education. LTC offers master's degrees in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Graduate Certificate programs are offered in Qualitative Research, Reading Education, Elementary Mathematics Specialist, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. More information on the department can be found at: https://education.missouri.edu/learning-teaching-curriculum/.

About the College: The College of Education is ranked among the top doctoral granting colleges of education in the country. Today, the College has a student population of approximately 1000 undergraduates and 1,600 graduate students, and approximately 100 faculty. The College is financially well positioned to invest in innovation. Annual expenditures for externally funded projects are approximately $20 million with funded projects in research, instruction and public service. Our research portfolio has increased significantly in recent years and is poised for continued significant strategic growth. The College is a leader on the campus and is nationally recognized for its distance and online education programs.

The University of Missouri is committed to postdoctoral education. Postdoctoral fellows across all disciplines are supported with campus professional development opportunities, research and teaching awards, and small grants programs. Postdoctoral scholars can also further their academic career preparation through the University of Missouri’s Preparing Future Faculty seminar program.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate with the early literacy team primarily in qualitative data production and analysis (and some quantitative) and presentation and publication of findings. Travel to study sites is required and therefore a valid Driver’s License will be required. 

The Postdoctoral Fellow will gain experience working on a federally-funded, state-wide research project with a group of scholars focused on understanding teacher-led instructional practices. The post-doc fellow will also have the opportunity to develop an independent line of research related to the study’s activities. 

Responsibilities:

• Attend weekly research team meetings
• Collect, organize, and analyze primarily qualitative and some quantitative research data
• Mentor graduate research assistants
• Co-author research publications and annual reports
• Develop future presentation proposals

Candidates will be evaluated on the following factors:

• Ability to develop and sustain an independent program of scholarly research
• Openness to learning
• Skills in participating in research projects and generating research ideas
• Ability to co-author publications, conference presentations, and grant proposals
• Experience with qualitative research methods in education
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Research interests that align well with faculty mentors
• Commitment to equity and social justice
• Experience conducting classroom observations
• Experience as language and literacy educator in public school setting.
• Experience writing for publication
• Proficiency in English
• Valid U.S. driver’s license prior to arrival in Columbia, MO.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in early language and literacy education or related field at the time of appointment
• Experience with qualitative research methodologies

To Apply: (https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job )

• A letter of application that addresses the candidate’s interest, overall

qualifications for the fellowship, and an explanation of how this fellowship will

help prepare the candidate future career interests and professional goals.

• A CV
• A writing sample
• List of three references

The CV must be uploaded in the Resume/CV and Cover Letter section.

Questions should be directed to:

Dr. Angie Zapata, Search Committee Chair Learning Teaching, and Curriculum
University of Missouri
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211-2400
Phone: 573-884-8339
Email: [email protected]

Beginning Review Date: Formal review of applications will begin March 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

About MU and the Surrounding Community: MU is the oldest state university west of the Mississippi River and the largest of the four institutions in the University of Missouri System. In 1867, MU became one of the first public universities in the nation to establish an academic program specific to teacher preparation. Cultural diversity is an important goal supported by the Department, College, and MU. More information is available on the web at: education.missouri.edu

MU is located in Columbia, a metropolitan community of approximately 120,000 that has been rated by Money Magazine , Men’s Journal and MSN.COM as one of the best places to live in the U.S. MU has a student body of over 34,000 and is designated as a Carnegie Research University with very high research activity. MU is one of only six universities in the U.S. that is both the flagship and land grant institution housing medicine, veterinary medicine, and law on the same campus. As an AAU member institution since 1908, MU is recognized as one of the top research and educational institutions in the nation.

This position provides an opportunity to work at a world-class research university in a beautiful and diverse setting that offers a high quality of life. There are numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and Columbia has been recognized as a bike-friendly community. Both Kansas City and St. Louis are within a 90-minute drive offering the shopping and cultural opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Columbia has a very high-quality public school system and provides many opportunities for art, culture and music enthusiasts.

This position provides an opportunity to work at a world-class research university in a beautiful and diverse setting that offers a high quality of life. There are numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and Columbia has been recognized as a bike-friendly community. Both Kansas City and St. Louis are within a 90-minute drive offering the shopping and cultural opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Columbia has a very high-quality public school system and provides many opportunities for art, culture and music enthusiasts.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits . 

Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement.  This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-7976.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.