"Assistant Professor (Lecturer) Human Development"

Assistant Professor (Lecturer) Human Development & Family Studies, with emphases in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Child Health Care

The Department of Family & Consumer Studies (FCS) at the University of Utah seeks a master's or Ph.D.-level professional to join our department as a full-time, 9-month, career-line teaching faculty member at the rank of Lecturer (for candidates with a master's degree) or Assistant Professor (Lecturer) for candidates with a PhD. This position will address critical instructional and programmatic needs in Human Development & Family Studies, with emphases in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Child Health Care. The successful candidate will teach core courses in child health care, human development, child life and/or early childhood education. In addition, the faculty member will serve as Child Life Program Director, providing leadership for the Child Health Care emphasis and developing programmatic opportunities in Child Life education.

The faculty member will have an 80% teaching and 20% service appointment in the FCS. Responsibilities include:

• Teaching undergraduate courses in Human Development and Family Studies, with opportunities to contribute to Child Life/Child Health Care, Early Childhood Education, and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health;
• Supporting pathways in teacher licensure (K-3) and applied learning that connect students to careers in child healthcare, child development, and related fields;
• Representing FCS on university-wide committees related to childhood development, health, and education;
• Providing leadership and oversight for the Child Life Program, including curriculum development, program assessment and building professional pathways for post-baccalaureate students by leveraging the department's successful track record with professional education programs.
• The position also carries expectations for departmental service and contributions to the mission of FCS in teaching, student success, and program innovation.

Regarding teaching excellence, the successful applicant will have experience with and/or interest in using technology and other innovative pedagogical techniques to facilitate high-quality online (synchronous and asynchronous) and in-person learning environments. The successful applicant will be committed to the use of teaching and learning best practices, such as interdisciplinary, interactive, community-engaged, and applied pedagogy. Faculty members in FCS have access to training, support, and professional development opportunities through the University of Utah's Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) https://ctle.utah.edu/ and from the College of Social and Behavioral Science's online curriculum coordinator.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Candidates must hold at least a master's degree in Child or Human Development, Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Life, or a closely related field (e.g., Psychology, Social Work, Education);
2. Experience in the classroom, healthcare settings with children, or teaching or training in Early Childhood Education and/or Child Life is required;
3. A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, student mentoring, and program development.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A doctoral degree in a relevant field;
2. Experience serving in program leadership or administrative roles;
3. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and colleges, and experience developing professional education or certificate programs;
4. Candidates with experience in related child- and family-focused professional fields are also encouraged to apply.

Family & Consumer Studies is an interdisciplinary department dedicated to understanding and enhancing the well-being of individuals and the families and communities in which they live. We examine how the social, economic, political, and physical environments affect families, individuals, and consumers. Successful candidates will be committed to working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and to enhancing undergraduate and graduate education. The faculty includes scholars from sociology, demography, economics, psychology, family studies, human development, and early childhood education. The University of Utah is a Carnegie RU/VH Research University, member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and Utah's flagship university. In addition to a supportive department and university environment, faculty in Family & Consumer Studies benefit from unique local resources that enrich teaching and applied learning. The University of Utah is home to the School of Medicine and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, both of which provide opportunities for collaboration on health- and family-related initiatives. Primary Children's Hospital further supports training and practicum experiences for students preparing for careers in child life and pediatric settings.

Situated in Salt Lake City, the state capital and cultural hub, we are also connected to a broad range of community organizations, schools, and healthcare institutions that offer rich opportunities for internships, practicum placements, and community-engaged scholarship in children and health, child life, and early childhood education. Salt Lake City offers an outstanding quality of life in a major metropolitan area of 1.5 million residents, nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. Utah's great outdoors are close by, offering activities from world class skiing, hiking, and mountain biking in the spectacular canyons surrounding the city. The city is cosmopolitan with theater, the arts, sports, entertainment and nightlife. The area has received international recognition for its light rail system, downtown, library system, and increasing diversity.

All full-time employees are provided a health benefit plan. University of Utah's career-line faculty structure includes a renewable contract and multi-year appointments. We are looking for faculty who are excited to support the Department's educational mission and strengthen Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) major.

Application Procedure:

Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement describing teaching philosophy, experience with a range of learners, and approaches to applied/practicum-based instruction, evidence of teaching effectiveness such as course evaluations, sample syllabi, or teaching materials (optional but strongly encouraged), and names and contact information of at least three references at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/188606. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Information about the Department of Family & Consumer Studies can be found at http://www.fcs.utah.edu. For inquiries, please contact us at FCS_Search@fcs.utah.edu.