| Job Description: |
The University of Florida seeks a Research Scientist (12-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment in the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, AZC) to work closely with project investigators to advance new and ongoing research enterprises within the mission and vision of the Early Childhood Policy Research Group housed at the AZC. The Research Scientist is expected to play an integral role in current extramural awards, while collaborating with center investigators and affiliated faculty/staff to build a portfolio of independent and collaborative research incorporating AI and Machine Learning research methodology into the study of influences on child and family outcomes.
The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies is an interdisciplinary center of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to translating science to action through innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support all young children from birth to age five and their families. The Sunshine State Early Childhood Information Portal (The Sunshine Portal) is a comprehensive resource for early childhood data in Florida. The Sunshine Portal is a pioneering Early Childhood Integrated Data System designed to provide vital information from across the early childhood mixed delivery system. This data system includes information from health, education, financial, and social support sectors. The Early Childhood Policy Research Group (ECPRG), in collaboration with state and local agencies, leverages this data system to conduct research to enhance the well-being of young children and families across Florida. Through the Sunshine Portal, the ECPRG communicates research findings, providing in-depth data and visualizations at the community level. These insights into the lives of children and families are used by local, state, and national early childhood stakeholders.
The Research Scientist position will entail two primary responsibilities: (1) establishing and advancing their own portfolio of extramurally-funded research in collaboration with ECPRG-affiliated faculty, staff, and students and (2) as a co-investigator on the Sunshine State Early Childhood Information Portal, the Research Scientist is expected to lead the development and implementation of advanced machine learning research methodologies; provide mentorship and guidance to project personnel to build additional capacity in advanced research methodology; and assist PIs and project staff in the development of dissemination products.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE: The College of Education at the University of Florida, founded in 1906, has consistently been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation in Online Graduate Education for the last nine years, No. 2 nationally for undergraduate education and 8th nationally among public graduate colleges of education (U.S. News & World Report). Four of the College's academic programs occupy top-20 spots in the U.S. News rankings: Counselor Education (1st), Special Education (5th), Educational Administration (17th), and Elementary Education (17th). Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and public scholarship—often conducted in partnership with other UF colleges, school districts and communities across the state and nation—are yielding powerful learning systems and models that are helping to transform education in today’s changing world, starting with our youngest learners. Faculty researchers last year garnered more than $150.3 million in external awards supporting studies and projects addressing education’s most critical issues. With both on campus and online options, the college offers 29 bachelor’s and advanced degree programs and concentration
areas, within nine academic specialties. To sustain the college's innovative edge, heightened emphasis on emerging technologies, student experience and interdisciplinary research will effectively prepare tomorrow's leaders in all education disciplines. The College's educator preparation programs have been continuously accredited by CAEP and NCATE since 1954. Follow us: @UF_COE (X), @uf_coe (Instagram), @university-of-florida-college-of-education (LinkedIn), and @UF.COE (Facebook)
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: The University of Florida, founded in 1853, is a public land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant research university and one of the most academically diverse universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks UF 6th among public universities. National rankings such as 1st by the Wall Street Journal and 4th by Forbes in their respective lists of Public Universities are a result of UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value. UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes, and boasts more than 6,600 faculty members, 60,000 students and 405,000 living alumni. Faculty scholars last year generated more than $1.26 billion in research awards. UF recently launched a $70 million AI partnership with NVIDIA, taking the first step toward ensuring equitable access to bringing AI to students and faculty from across campus and the state. The Florida Legislature designated UF as a “preeminent'' state university in 2013.
ABOUT THE AREA: UF is situated in Gainesville in North Central Florida, a vibrant college town that blends big-city cultural and athletic offerings with small-town friendliness and charm, along with excellent schools. Gainesville, located about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is often recognized as one of America’s best college towns and is easily accessible to three major metropolitan areas (Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa). The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Gainesville as a “Tree City USA” every year since 1982. USA Today ranked Gainesville as the number one place to move in the Sunshine State. Add the allure of Florida’s famous sunshine, tropical breezes, and abundant wilderness, springs, rivers and seashores nearby, and it is little wonder that top-caliber faculty and students find our College and University to be the perfect balance of premier academics and a fulfilling lifestyle.
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| Preferred: |
- Experience with research funded by a diverse variety of research partners, including government agencies, industry sponsors, and/or non-profit organizations.
- A minimum of 6 years of experience in extramurally funded research focused on Birth to Five education, prevention, and/or intervention.
- Interest, ability, and experience in the design and execution of collaborative multi-disciplinary research.
- Experience delegating to, coordinating, and supervising the work of research coordinators and assistants on extramural awards.
- Experience with research development and management in settings for children aged Birth to five years.
- Experience creating processes and workflows for managing high work volumes.
- Experience with or knowledge of extramural research funding processes at pre- and post-award within the institution.
- Ability to be calm, creative, flexible, and prudent in ambiguous and challenging circumstances.
- Ability to monitor activities of multiple projects simultaneously.
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Application Procedures: Applicant should upload all materials to the University of Florida’s employment website https://jobs.ufl.edu. If technical assistance is needed, please contact Human resources at (352) 392-2477. Complete applications include: (1) a letter of application addressing required and desired qualifications, (2) curriculum vitae or résumé, (3) contact information for three references, who after further review will be asked to send a letter of recommendation through the online application system.
Applicants should reference requisition 537421, position number 00042749. Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Herman T. Knopf, Senior Research Scientist (hknopf@ufl.edu). Review of candidates will begin on October 15, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be submitted by October 17, 2025. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and hiring authority.
The selection process will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida’s “Government in the Sunshine” and Public Records laws. Search Committee meetings and interviews are open to the public and all applications, resumes, and other documents related to the search will be available for public inspection. Final candidates will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credentialing Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org. |