Assistant Professor of Literacy, Regular Title Series

Job Title
Assistant Professor of Literacy, Regular Title Series


Requisition Number
FE04619


Working Title

Department Name
8G020:Education Curriculum & Instr


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Type of Position
Faculty


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track


Required Education

Earned doctoral degree in education (e.g., elementary education, literacy education, curriculum and instruction, teacher education, or related field). Doctorate must be conferred by start date.



Required Related Experience

n/a



Required License/Registration/Certification

3-5 years of teaching experience at the elementary level OR upper-elementary/middle level.



Job Summary

The Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky invites applications for an assistant professor, regular title series (tenure-eligible) faculty position in elementary education, with a focus on literacy education. This position has the additional possibility to teach literacy and ELA courses in the middle school program. This is a nine-month appointment, effective August 16, 2026. Responsibilities will be divided between teaching, service, and research, with faculty in this position typically expected to teach a 2-2 course load. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to integrate their teaching and service with research that aligns with the department, college, and university strategic principles (https://pres.uky.edu/strategic-plan).


Responsibilities include the following:

• Conduct high level research
• Teach undergraduate literacy-related methods and classroom management courses in an embedded elementary school context (e.g., EDC 329; EDC 339), as well as graduate level courses for masters/doctoral degree programs (e.g., EDC 618)
• Collaborate with school partners
• Supervise undergraduate practicum students and student teachers
• Actively serve on the Elementary Education program faculty
• Actively serve on the Literacy program faculty

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctoral degree in education (e.g., elementary education, literacy education, curriculum and instruction, teacher education, or related field). Doctorate must be conferred by start date.
• 3-5 years of teaching experience at the elementary level OR upper-elementary/middle level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and expertise in teaching reading methods courses
• Experience and expertise in teaching multilingual learners
• Experience as instructor of record in undergraduate courses
• Experience in teaching courses in embedded school contexts
• Experience in building school partnerships, supervising teacher candidates, and collaborating with schools, universities, and colleagues
• Research and teaching that aligns with department, college, and institutional goals
• Experience coordinating, or teaching in, reading programs/institutes

To be considered for this position, an online application must be submitted via the UK Jobs site: https://www.ukjobs.uky.edu. Interested applicants must provide the following:

• Online application
• A letter of application detailing qualifications – upload under Cover Letter
• Current curriculum vitae – upload under Curriculum Vitae
• Statements on teaching, research, and service – upload under Specific Request 1
• Names and contact information for three references – upload contact information under Specific Request 2. References will be contacted to provide letters of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin October 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.


Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Jonathan Thomas (Jonathan.thomas1@uky.edu), Chairperson of the Department of Teaching and Learning, or Dr. Janice Almasi (janice.almasi@uky.edu) Search Committee Chairperson.


Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No


Preferred Education/Experience

● Experience and expertise teaching reading methods courses and teaching multilingual learners

● Experience as instructor of record in undergraduate courses

● Experience teaching courses in embedded school contexts

● Experience in building school partnerships, supervising teacher candidates, and collaborating with schools, universities, and colleagues

● Research and teaching that aligns with department, college and institutional goals

● Experience coordinating or teaching in reading programs/institutes



Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.