Endowed Chair and Executive Director, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies

This is a 12-month tenure-track appointment at the associate or full professor level, with an administrative role as Executive Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies.

About the Role

The David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies recognizes an eminent scholar with a national or international reputation for research, policy leadership, and transformative initiatives in child development and early childhood studies or education. The Endowed Chair will provide visionary leadership to advance transdisciplinary research, policy, and practice supporting the development, well-being, learning, and optimal outcomes for young children and their families.

The Chair holder will have a faculty appointment in an academic unit (e.g., the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies) and an administrative appointment as Executive Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. The Center’s endowment supports its initiatives, while the Lawrence endowment funds the Chair holder’s research activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership as Director of the Anita Zucker Center and Endowed Chair, advancing transdisciplinary research and policy initiatives in early childhood.
• Conduct high-quality, impactful research in early childhood studies and maintain a strong record of scholarly publications.
• Engage in national and international discussions on early childhood policy, advocating for optimal outcomes for young children, families, and practitioners.
• Strengthen partnerships with UF entities, national organizations, and early childhood researchers and practitioners to bridge research, policy, and practice.
• Secure external funding (e.g., grants, contracts, gifts) and partnerships to support the Center’s initiatives, expand its impact, and ensure sustainability.
• Mentor faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates, contributing to programmatic and faculty development.

Requirements

• A doctorate in early childhood studies, education, child development, or a related discipline.
• A distinguished record of research and scholarship in early childhood studies and/or child development.
• Tenure eligibility as an (advanced) associate or full professor.
• National or international recognition for leadership and impact in child development, early childhood studies, or education.
• Proven success in securing and administering external funding from federal, state, foundation, or other sources.
• Experience mentoring doctoral students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty colleagues.
• A commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in higher education administration, policy formulation, and advocacy for child development or early childhood studies.
• Experience leading a research center with affiliated faculty and staff.
• Experience developing and implementing large-scale research or policy initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with academic, government, and nonprofit organizations.

About the College

The College of Education at the University of Florida, founded in 1906, has consistently ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in Online Graduate Education for the last nine years and is 6th nationally among public and private education schools (U.S. News & World Report). Key program rankings include:

• Counselor Education (1st)
• Special Education (4th)
• Elementary Education (14th)

The College emphasizes cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and public scholarship, often in partnership with other UF colleges, school districts, and communities. Faculty researchers garnered over $150.3 million in external awards last year. The College offers 29 bachelor’s and advanced degree programs across nine academic specialties, with both on-campus and online options. Educator preparation programs have been nationally accredited since 1954.

About the University

The University of Florida, founded in 1853, is a public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university ranked 7th among public universities by U.S. News & World Report. UF is home to 16 colleges, over 200 research centers, 6,600 faculty members, and 60,000 students. Faculty scholars generated over $1.26 billion in research awards last year. UF is designated a “preeminent” state university and recently launched a $70 million AI partnership with NVIDIA.

About the Area

UF is located in Gainesville, a vibrant college town in North Central Florida known for its cultural and athletic offerings, small-town charm, and excellent schools. Gainesville is situated halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, with easy access to Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa. Recognized as a “Tree City USA” since 1982, Gainesville offers abundant sunshine, tropical breezes, and nearby wilderness, springs, rivers, and seashores.