Assistant Professor

The Department of Middle, Secondary, and K12 Education ( MDSK) provides current and future students interested in teaching and learning, curriculum design, urban education, and educational policy/practices the opportunity to advance their knowledge base through innovative programming. The department offers traditional and online pathways to earn teaching licensure in multiple content areas within the middle grades and secondary education contexts. Additionally, it provides students pathways to licensure (K-12) in the arts, ESL, and foreign language. The department has robust Master's of Education (M.Ed.) programs in Urban Education and Curriculum & Instruction that are delivered 100% online. The Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction program has several areas of specialization for professionals interested in pursuing advanced degrees.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals.
Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work.
Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member's discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work.
Service to University, the Public, and the Profession - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession.

This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate's or the university's eligibility for federal funding.

To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://facultyhandbooks.charlotte.edu/full-time-faculty-handbook/

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides a distinctive environment for interdisciplinary STEM education research through its Cato College of Education, Center for STEM Education, STEM-focused graduate programs, and collaborations across the university and with regional schools, community organizations, and STEM industries. In the Cato College of Education at Charlotte, we envision STEM Education as a transdisciplinary field that encompasses all aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, not as distinct silos but as integrated teaching and learning. We place a central emphasis on process-centered STEM learning-how students actively learn and engage in STEM practices-and collaborative discourse. The successful candidate will be an education specialist with expertise in graduate-level STEM education and will bring a proven track record of designing holistic, transdisciplinary, hands-on, project-based, and problem-based STEM experiences that foster deep inquiry and analytic skills. The Assistant Professor will develop a focused research agenda in STEM education and establish active collaborations with colleagues in related areas of interest across the university. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to conducting high-impact STEM education research that connects directly to our academic programs and ultimately enhances educational opportunities and outcomes for all learners.

* Teaching: Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in teacher licensure and advanced programs using multiple modalities and developing critical coursework in STEM education.

* Advising & Mentoring: Advising and mentoring students, including serving on committees for undergraduate honors theses, Master's capstone projects, and doctoral dissertations

* Research & Scholarship: Developing and maintaining an active research agenda with evidence of scholarly productivity (publications, presentations, and grant writing).

* Funding: Demonstrates strong potential in securing internal and external funding to support research and program initiatives.

* Service: Providing service to the department, college, university, and broader professional community.

* Collaboration: Developing key interdisciplinary partnerships with colleagues in the Center for STEM Education, within the Cato College of Education, William States Lee College of Engineering, the College of Computing and Informatics, and the Klein College of Science. [ 1]

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

* Engineering Background/Experience: Professional, academic, or applied background/experience in engineering or engineering education research.

* STEM-Education Teaching Experience: Demonstrated experience teaching STEM education coursework or integrated STEM learning experiences in higher education.

* Community Engagement Experience: Experience establishing community, institutional, or interdisciplinary partnerships.

* Demonstrated record of or potential for grant-writing and securing external research funding.

* Publications in STEM Education journals and/or conference proceedings in STEM Education-related conferences.

* A current NC teaching license or eligibility to obtain one.

* Earned Doctorate: (earned by May 2027 ) in STEM Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or another STEM Education-related field from an accredited university.

* K-12 Teaching Experience: At least 3 years of professional teaching experience in a K-12 STEM or STEM-related classroom.

* A strong commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring graduate students.

* Evidence of an active research agenda and potential for strong scholarly productivity in STEM education.

* Ability to work collegially with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

* A strong commitment to the mission of the university, college, and department.

Submit a complete online application electronically. Applicants should submit:

For additional information or informal inquiries, contact the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Heather Coffey

Professor of Education

hcoffey@charlotte.edu

Review of application materials will begin November 18, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment.