Assistant or Associate Professor in K-12 Leadership

evaluate, exchange, and apply knowledge about leadership, learning, and organizational performance to prepare scholars and scholar practitioners who cultivate equity and educational opportunity in a diverse and changing world.

Preference will be given to candidates with a teaching focus on K-12 public school/district leadership with current and emerging applications of artificial intelligence, including related areas such as special education, data-informed continuous improvement, and systems change.

Preference will be given to candidates with a research focus on K-12 public school leadership and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in school and district leadership. We seek candidates with a successful external funding portfolio focused on K-12 public school leadership, particularly in data-driven continuous improvement, AI-enhanced leadership practice, and/or special education.

Experience working as a school or district leader, or in a community leadership role, is desirable but not required.

We seek an individual who is committed to excellence not only in their research and teaching, but also in graduate student advising and in contributing to the growth and quality of our K-12 Leadership programs. We seek a wide range of candidates, including current assistant and associate professors, postdoctoral fellows, recent doctoral degree recipients, and individuals with distinguished educational leadership experience. Associate Professor candidates must possess experience and scholarly credentials suitable for appointment with tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Teach core courses - including graduate-level courses in the K-12 leadership programs that meet in various modalities and typically in evenings and weekends - for educational leadership scholars, leaders, practitioners, and policymakers.
• Advise and mentor doctoral, master's, and certification students, and serve on committees of doctoral students.
• Conduct exemplary research that leads to the cultivation of promising ideas and publications in major scholarly outlets, and pursue and secure external grant funding.
• Inform and enrich state policy development in alignment with the Wisconsin Idea.
• Create and maintain networks with students, staff, and faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
• Embrace the responsibilities associated with departmental and university membership, which include service (departmental, university, and professional).

Department: School of Education / Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA)

Compensation: Negotiable. Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required Qualifications: Established interest and record of research, teaching, and service, with a commitment that aligns with our departmental mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching focus on K-12 public school/district leadership with current and emerging applications of artificial intelligence, including related areas such as special education, data-informed continuous improvement, and systems change
• Research focus on K-12 public school leadership and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in school and district leadership, with scholarly emphasis on data-informed continuous improvement
• A successful external funding portfolio with a focus on K-12 public school leadership, particularly in the areas of data-driven continuous improvement, AI-enhanced leadership practice, and/or special education
• Commitment to excellence in graduate student advising
• Experience working as a school or district leader, or in a community leadership role, is desirable but not required

Education: PhD or terminal degree, must be conferred by start date

How to Apply: Please go to the “” area and select your current UW Employment Status. Upload the following materials: A letter of interest that describes the candidate’s interest in the position and addresses the qualifications and preferences outlined in the job summary; A curriculum vitae; One document containing three statements (1-2 pages each): A research statement describing the candidate’s research program, major accomplishments to date, and goals for the future; A teaching/advising statement describing personal teaching philosophy, strategies, and objectives, as well as your experiences and approaches to advising; A service statement documenting individual efforts and significant impacts; One document containing two (2) samples of scholarly writing; The names and contact information of three (3) professional references (reference letters may be requested for finalists). The application system will accept up to five (5) documents. It is recommended you combine the statements and sample writing to stay within this limit, or you may choose to submit all application materials within one document. To ensure consideration, application materials must be received by Sunday October 18, 2026, at 11:55 pm; however, this position will remain open, and applications may be considered until this position is filled. Note: Incomplete application packages that do not include all of the requested documentation will not be considered.

Contact Information: Jessica Carew, ELPA Department Administrator, gile2@wisc.edu