Assistant/Associate Professor in Special Education

The Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas seeks a tenure-track Professor at the Assistant or Associate level. This position is a nine-month appointment beginning August 18th, 2025 , with a competitive salary commensurate with experience and education.

The position is at the assistant/associate rank. We are seeking a visionary researcher and educator with a passion for unlocking the potential of all learners to join our vibrant team at the forefront of special education research and practice. This tenure-track position is designed for an innovative thinker who thrives in a collaborative, innovative environment. The successful candidate will be qualified to teach in our K-12 high-incidence teacher preparation program. We are especially interested in applicants with experience in innovative approaches to intensive instruction and intervention; educational policy; culturally responsive approaches; and teaching students with disabilities general education curricula in general education settings. We seek scholars whose work enables students and their families to achieve a sense of belonging and membership, thereby supporting positive social relationships and friendships, as well as continuous development and learning across a broad range of family, community, societal and cultural activities and contexts.

We are particularly interested in early career faculty and candidates with experience with externally funded research who can collaborate with current special education faculty. The successful candidate will contribute to a rich tradition of conducting influential research; securing external funding; teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses; mentoring and advising students; and providing university, state, and professional service. Successful candidates must have a strong interest in and commitment to both research and educator preparation.

The University of Kansas is a major educational and research institution with 29,000 students on five campuses, 2,600 faculty members, and service centers throughout the state. The main campus is in Lawrence, a vibrant, thriving community of more than 90,000 that is just 40 miles west of Greater Kansas City and 20 miles from the state capital. KU, a member of the Association of American Universities, consistently earns excellent ratings for its academic programs from U.S. News and World Report. It has also committed itself to expanding its innovative research and commercialization programs. The School of Education and Human Sciences was most recently ranked #20 for public Schools of Education, and the Special Education program consistently ranks number one among public institutions.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

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 excellent 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.

This position is a 1.0 full-time-equivalent (FTE) position, with effort distributed as follows: two (3.0 credit hour) courses per semester (Fall and Spring). Allocation of effort is generally 40% Teaching/Advising, 40% Research, and 20% Service. Specific course assignments are at the direction of the chairperson of your department in consultation with you. You are expected to have posted office hours and be able to meet with students by appointment.

Teaching (.40 FTE) - Teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses in high-incidence special education; advise, masters, and doctoral students; mentor and support undergraduates.

• Advise and mentor undergraduate and/or masters students working toward a degree and/or teaching licensure/specialization endorsement in high-incidence special education;
• Advise students working toward doctoral degrees in Special Education;
• Collaborate on the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the innovative undergraduate and graduate high-incidence educator preparation programs;
• Advise and provide research supervision to undergraduate and graduate students in the special education degree programs; and
• Serve on master’s theses, master’s projects, and doctoral committees.

Research/Scholarship (.40 FTE) - Direct an ongoing program of research in special education

• Produce research leading to new insights and advances for publication in refereed journals or other scholarly outlets;
• Participate in and present original research at scholarly conferences and conventions;
• Mentor master’s and doctoral students in the development of research skills and in the production of scholarly products;
• Pursue and maintain external funding to support research.

Service (.20 FTE) – Contribute to professional service at all levels (e.g., Department, school, university, state, and national).

• Chair and serve on master’s and doctoral student committees for the Department of Special Education
• Collaborate with Department of Special Education and SOEHS faculty, interdisciplinary university researchers and other shareholders to ensure program quality, maintain state and national accreditation, and facilitate ongoing program and researcher agendas;
• Participate in Department of Special Education, SOEHS, and University committees, faculty meetings, and retreats to ensure KU programs meet all professional standards and program quality expectations;
• Collaborate with local, state, and national shareholders to facilitate ongoing communication, advocacy, research initiatives, and educator preparation.

Required Qualifications for rank of Assistant Professor:

1. Earned doctoral in Special Education or related field from an HLC accredited institution with specialization in teaching students in general education settings using evidence-based practices for students (children and youth) with high incidence disabilities, by date of hire;
2. Evidence of successful experiences supporting children and youth with disabilities and their families;
3. Evidence of strong potential of a line of research that leads to a competitive record of scholarship, research, and external funding;
4. Evidence of strong potential of successful teaching, advising, and mentoring of undergraduate and/or graduate students in research and practice;
5. Evidence of strong potential to form collaborative partnerships with community programs, schools, relevant state departments, professional organizations, families, and/or other serving children with disabilities and their families.

Required Qualifications for rank of Associate Professor:

1. Earned doctoral in Special Education or related field from an HLC accredited institution with specialization in teaching students in general education settings using evidence-based practices for students (children and youth) with high incidence disabilities, by date of hire;
2. Evidence of successful experiences supporting children and youth with disabilities and their families;
3. Established line of research that leads to a competitive record of scholarship, research, and external funding;
4. Established record of successful teaching, advising, and mentoring of undergraduate and/or graduate students in research and practice;
5. Established record of forming collaborative partnerships with community programs, schools, relevant state departments, professional organizations, families, and/or other serving children with disabilities and their families.
6. Three years of professional experience in supporting children and youth with disabilities.

Review of applications will begin on October 24th, 2024. A complete application includes 1) a cover letter identifying professional interests and goals, 2) a curriculum vita, 3) a complete set of official graduate transcripts, 4) three samples of scholarly work, and 5) contact information for three professional references. If available, evidence of successful teaching should also be submitted.

James Basham
jbasham@ku.edu

Thursday October 24, 2024

Monday August 18, 2025