Open Rank Prof/Scientist in Intellectual & Development Disabilities

The University of Kansas, Life Span Institute and the Departments of Clinical Child Psychology (CCP), Psychology, Speech-Language Hearing: Sciences and Disorders (SPLH), and/or Applied Behavioral Sciences (ABS) are seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure track, academic year (9-month) open-rank Professor/Scientist position to begin in Fall 2025. We are seeking new faculty members with expertise in conducting clinical translational studies of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs; e.g., autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X). It is expected that competitive applicants will have a track record of peer-review publications and competitive extramural funding proposals. The position is being supported by a recently awarded $3M Research Rising initiative from the KU Office of Research that is focused on advancing IDD research at our institution. The goal of this investment is to expand KU’s international prominence in IDD research through new infrastructure investments and faculty hires, expanding the already strong portfolio of basic, clinical, and applied IDD research within the Life Span Institute, Department of Clinical Child Psychology, KU, and the KU Medical Center (KUMC). Faculty will have the opportunity to be heavily involved in our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program (LEND), National Project of Significance, and University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and further our reach in the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) network. More information on our Research Rising project can be found at the following link: https://mediahub.ku.edu/media/t/1_72ejpwck. Please see the following link for a broader description of the Research Rising program at KU: https://research.ku.edu/research-rising.

The Professor/Scientist will be expected to lead and grow a program of research at KU and KUMC and collaborate with a range of scholars across disciplines and research foci within our IDD research centers. This faculty hire will be able to leverage the many IDD research resources at KU and KUMC, including our clinical and research diagnostic services, existing community engagement and participatory research supports, state-of-the-art quantitative EEG/ERP, MRI, and CT systems, our preclinical models and genomics cores, and our extensive and varied research registries focused on individuals with IDDs across the lifespan.

KU is a Carnegie doctoral/research-extensive university with a $1.4 billion endowment and a faculty of 2,600. Current enrollment is 28,500 (19,000 undergraduate), with students drawn from 110 nations and all 50 states; 20.6% of KU students are members of marginalized groups. The 1,000-acre main campus is in Lawrence, Kansas and at 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, various 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.

This position and associated hires in IDD research are aligned with the University of Kansas’ strategic plan: https://jayhawksrising.ku.edu/ The Jayhawks Rising Strategic Plan was developed around three Institutional Priorities: creating a clear and ambitious direction to fulfill our mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.

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 time of appointment.

Allocation of Effort
Teaching/advising, research, and service expectations

Asst/Assoc/Full Professor (0.5 FTE): The appointment in the Department of CCP or PSYC will be 50% FTE. Evaluation is based on a weighting of 20% teaching/advising, 20% research, and 10% service to the Department, University, and/or field.

Teaching/Advising (20%). The current classroom teaching assignment for full-time faculty members is two courses per semester. With a .50 FTE appointment, the teaching load for this position will be one course/semester.

Research (20%). All faculty members are expected to engage in a program of research and to share their scholarship with colleagues and/or the public at large through publication or other creative activities.

Service (10%). All faculty members are expected to fulfill their share of service duties needed to facilitate the efficient operation of the Department. Faculty may provide service at the College and University levels and in regional, national, and international activities of the discipline. Activities that foster effective relationships with alumni and other professionals and associations as well as community groups also constitute service.

Asst/Assoc/Sr Scientist (0.5 FTE): Faculty serving within the Life Span Institute (LSI) are expected to engage in the following activities:

Research (45%). Assistant, Associate and Senior Scientists of LSI are expected to establish, develop, and sustain an independent and nationally/internationally visible program of research. This includes responsibility for the management and conduct of research as well as the dissemination of the products of that research in appropriate venues (e.g., peer-reviewed journals) as well as at meetings or conferences at appropriate levels (e.g., international, national). Scientists are also expected to be consistently and regularly engaged in the pursuit of external funding to sustain their research program. This includes the assumption of leadership roles in the preparation and submission of proposals to funding sources outside of the institution, and may involve the initiation of, or participation in, collaborative proposals.

Service (5%): Scientists in LSI are expected to participate in service activities at the international, national, regional and state levels appropriate to their professional discipline. These may include participation in peer review for journal editorial boards, federal granting agencies (NIH, NSF, USDE, etc.), and foundation funding agencies (e.g., Autism Speaks), serving as an officer in professional societies and associations, and other activities such as invited presentations to governmental, professional, and community organizations. Investigators also are expected to provide limited service to the LSI as necessary and appropriate (e.g., promotion committee, representing the LSI within the institution).

Summer Salary
Summer salary acquired through grants or through summer teaching would be in addition to your academic year salary. Summer salary is based on your academic salary rate and varies from year to year.

Faculty Code
Faculty members are expected to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, currently viewable at: http://policy.ku.edu/FacultyCodeKULawrence/faculty-code-of-rights

Screening of applications will begin November 1st and continue until the position is filled. A complete application includes an online application, with the following attached;

• Cover letter that identifies professional interests and background experiences/expertise relevant to this position;
• Curriculum vita;
• Research statement;
• Teaching philosophy statement;
• A list of three professional/academic references with contact information.

Only complete applications will be considered. Other documentation may be requested from candidate finalists. Finalists will be required to submit to a background investigation. The preferred position starting date is August 18, 2025.

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

Friday November 1, 2024

Monday August 18, 2025