School of Education

Assistant Professor of Practice (Appointment Stream) Position

With a Focus on Human Development and Community Thriving

Position: Assistant Professor of Practice (appointment stream)

Appointment:Nine-month, full-time; starting Fall 2025

Description: The Department of Health and Human Development in the University of Pittsburgh School of Education seeks a colleague with expertise in human development: child, youth, adolescent, or emerging adult and community thriving. The School of Education is rooted in a justice-oriented mission and vision that prioritizes educational and health equity, disrupting inequitable systems, and an integrated approach to health, development, and learning. This scholar will join a department that promotes ecological approaches to health, learning and development, prioritizes community-based, and participatory scholarship.

The Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) programs focus on child through emerging adult development as well as family and community thriving. The new colleague will join the ADP instructional team that teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs. The position involves an 18-credit hour teaching load that includes teaching child and/or adolescent development courses, service that includes contributing to program operations, scholarship consistent with the program’s applied developmental focus, and advising undergraduate and master’s students. Students experience both classroom and site-based learning focused on applying developmental knowledge and evidence-based practices in real-world settings. We are interested in candidates with expertise in human development in applied settings and who use an equity-focused and critical lens in their praxis. The candidate may focus on a particular level of development such as child, youth, adolescent, or emerging adult.

Required qualifications:

· Ph.D. in Applied Development, Educational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, or related field/discipline by 08/01/25

· Specialty in one or more of the following areas: child and youth development, licensed mental health professional, child life specialist, social-emotional development/learning, or out-of-school learning

· Record of (or potential for) excellence in teaching at the university/college level

· Record of (or potential for) scholarly contribution or applied scholarship in human development or related field

Preferred qualifications:

· Previous applied experience with children, youth, or families

· Child, youth, or adolescent development teaching experience

· Evidence of partnerships and collaborations with community-based organizations

· Demonstrated experience (or future promise) designing and teaching online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate courses.

· Record of scholarship in human development or related field with an applied focus and equity lens.

Submit:

· Letter of interest

· Current CV

· Teaching philosophy statement (no more than one page)

· One writing sample

· Names and contact information for three references (will be contacted only if selected for on-campus interviews) Finalists will need to supply 3 letters of recommendation.

Review of application materials will begin immediately or when the position is filled.

For questions about the submission process, email edsearch@pitt.edu and for questions about the position or the School of Education, email the Search Committee co-chairs, Dr. Bridget Kiger Lee (kigerlee@pitt.edu) and Dr. Robert Gallen (robert.gallen@pitt.edu).

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED items:

· Teaching philosophy statement (no more than one page)

· One writing sample

· Names and contact information for three references (will be contacted only if selected for on-campus interviews) Letters will be required from finalists.