Assistant/Associate Professor

Position Function:

The School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University is seeking an outstanding candidate for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education. This position will provide leadership and management of multiple grant-funded projects to deliver Extension programming in early childhood across Mississippi.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The School of Human Sciences provides education, research, and outreach programs related to human interaction and relationships, early childhood, child life, youth, adult and family studies, and teaching education in Family and Consumer Sciences and Agricultural Education. In addition, selected School programs focus on commerce, marketing, and using technology for problem-solving and designing programs and projects.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 1, 2025. 

Tenure Track Status:

Yes. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide statewide leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating Extension programming in the area of early childhood
• Develop educational intervention programs and community systems that help young children and their families identify and cope successfully with high-risk environments and stresses
• Provide Extension programs in community settings to improve the understanding of how young children, their families, and communities interact to produce desirable outcomes for individuals, families, and local programs
• Conduct scientific-based needs assessments; plan and develop curricula; secure external funding; select educational materials; and market programs
• Develop grant proposals and manage funded projects related to early childhood, including evaluation and accountability to funding sources
• Maintain knowledge of the scientific literature in the field and its application
• Conduct research/evaluation on the effectiveness of early childhood programs
• Study, analyze, interpret, and compile factual information, situation data, policy information, research findings, and state and national trends
• Translate this knowledge base into Extension publications, educational materials, and scientific publications
• Provide scientifically based research data/findings for statewide media outlets
• Provide in-service education for Extension field staff
• Supervise a large and diverse professional staff of employees on campus and across Mississippi
• Work cooperatively with other faculty and county staff to incorporate family development other relevant areas both inside and outside Mississippi
• Promote an environment which supports MSU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Advise graduate students in Early Childhood Development and/or Human Development/Family Studies

Minimum Qualifications:

Assistant Professor:
• Doctorate in early childhood, human development, developmental education, family sociology, Extension education, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. ABDs will be considered.

Associate Professor:
• Doctorate in early childhood, human development, developmental education, family sociology, Extension education, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience in Extension, teaching, research, or a related area.
• Awarded or pending tenure at a comparable university or have at least four years of experience and an outstanding record of scholarly productivity.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Extension, teaching, and research
• Evidence of computer/technology skills, including distance education
• Expertise in early childhood and advocacy
• Evidence of effective teaching skills and the ability to successfully deliver and evaluate programs for diverse audiences including young children, teen parents, varied lifestyles, and ethnic backgrounds
• Demonstration of effective communic