Research Assistant Professor

Posting Summary

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Posting Number	RTF00289PO25
USC Market Title	Research Assistant Professor
Link to USC Market Title
Business Title	Research Assistant Professor
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	College of Education
Department	CED Child Development Research Center
Location of Vacancy	Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Type of Faculty Position	Faculty Research Grant (FRGP)
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Faculty

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement	Yes
State Insurance Programs	Yes
Annual Leave	Yes
Sick Leave	Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	The College of Education Child Development Research Center is seeking applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor. Applicants must have a record of work maintaining external funding and experience in managing funded projects. The Research Assistant Professor’s role will be to serve as principal or co-principal investigator on externally funded projects and provide oversight and management of all aspects of projects including project development, supervision of project staff, data collection and analyses, and production of reports related to project scopes of work. The Research Assistant Professor will affiliate with one of four College of Education department.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	The position requires a terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in education, research methodologies, developmental psychology, child development, or a related field from an accredited institution.  Candidates must have extensive knowledge in early childhood research, developmental psychology, and/or early education.  Candidates must have demonstrated expertise in measurement and research methods in developmental psychology in early childhood settings and/or early care and education. Candidates must demonstrate competence and success in securing and maintaining grant funding and in leading large-scale funded projects.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Experience developing and coordinating projects focused on professional development in early childhood settings; Supervisory experience.  Knowledge of early childhood systems and quality improvement initiatives  Knowledge of education research and measurement.  Record of working collaboratively and effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders.  Active professional engagement, including scholarly article publications, conference presentations and governance in professional organizations.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Development and evolution of evaluation activities for funded projects: strategic planning, logic models, use and development of qualitative and quantitative tools and feedback mechanisms. Conducts analyses of collected data to describe and evaluate project scopes of work.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	Writes reports and publications. Presents results to funding source project officers and key stakeholders. Presents reports and scholarship at state, regional, and national conferences.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Writes funding proposals for new research projects and service contracts. This includes budget planning to address the scope of work, as well as corresponding with funding source project officers and internal staff to establish new awards.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Will serve as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on externally funded projects and provide primary or secondary supervision of project staff. Participates in meetings with internal project staff and funding source project officers. Supervises all the work by the research team, students funded by the grants awarded to the research team and consultants contracted and funded by the research team.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Leads professional development, reporting, and product development activities.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.	No

Posting Detail Information

Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Job Open Date	01/07/2026
Job Close Date	02/21/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty- five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/200443
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.