Assistant Professor of Literacy Education

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Full Consideration Date:

10/25/2025

Job Description:

The University of Northern Iowa’s Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education (LESE) seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Literacy Education with a strong emphasis on elementary literacy, particularly with linguistically, culturally, and economically diverse students. We seek demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: supporting multilingual learners’ literacy development, methods of teaching literacy and literacy assessment.  

The position will start in August 2026. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate (MAE and Ed.D.) courses in a teacher preparation program for elementary education; engaging in scholarship and publication; participating in department/university initiatives; developing curriculum and engaging in innovative practice​; contributing to a collegial team environment; advising graduate students; and serving on masters/doctoral-level committees. 

Required Qualifications:

Earned doctorate in Elementary Education, Reading or Literacy Education, or a closely related field by the start date; well-developed ease with digital communications, teaching tools, online and face-to-face methods of instruction; excellent interpersonal skills; experience developing research agenda and potential for scholarly productivity; and demonstrated experience as an educator required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Willingness to partner with educators and preservice teachers in local school environments through applied practice and/or supervision; experience with successful design/delivery of online and face-to-face undergraduate/graduate instruction; experiences targeting traditional and non-traditional university students; and experience with a range of literacy approaches and current research preferred.

UNI’s Literacy Education faculty work and publish collaboratively and offer innovative doctoral, master's, and undergraduate educational programs. Literacy coursework is offered in various formats including: face-to-face campus-based, professional development school (PDS) based, and online synchronous and asynchronous instruction to extend access to programs for students across Iowa, the US, and internationally. Literacy Education is housed within the Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education (LESE) department in the College of Education.  The COE supports partnerships with community colleges to support students beginning their degree at the high school and community college and finishing at UNI. The COE offers a paraeducator-to-teacher apprenticeship program leading to elementary and special education licensure in partnership with Iowa school districts.

For more information, please contact Lori Norton-Meier, Search Committee Chair, at 319-273-2053 or email at lori.norton-meier@uni.edu. Pre-employment background checks required.

Position Details:

• Job Category:  Faculty
• Type of Position:  Tenure Track
• Service Schedule:  Academic Year

Application Instructions:

All application materials received by October 25, 2025, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Curriculum Vita
2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, make sure that all required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email careers-support@uni.edu or call 319-273-2422.

Iowa enjoys a lower cost of living than many other states. See how the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area compares by utilizing the cost of living calculator. Our overall compensation package is enhanced by excellent benefits for eligible non-temporary positions. To learn more about the vibrant Cedar Valley community, visit https://livethevalley.com/.

If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at hrs-employment@uni.edu or call (319) 273-2422.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

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