Assistant Research Scientist

Job Description:

The University of Florida seeks an assistant research scientist (-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment in the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies to work closely with project investigators to advance new and ongoing research enterprises within the vision of the Early Childhood Studies Advanced Technology Lab. The assistant research scientist is expected to play an integral role in current extramural awards, while collaborating with center investigators and affiliated faculty/staff to build a portfolio of independent and collaborative research focused on incorporating sensing technology in the early childhood education space. “Sensing technology” refers to tools that use sensors to acquire information about human behavior via physiological data (e.g., speech, locomotion, heart rate). In the context of developmental science and education research, sensing technology refers to tools integrated into classrooms to collect data about multiple teachers and students simultaneously. This tech includes: (1) cameras, location trackers, audio recorders, and other devices that capture continuous, real-time classroom information, and (2) algorithms that recognize and quantify parent and child behaviors (e.g., language, gestures, visual gaze, interactions) without requiring hand-coding of data.

The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies is an interdisciplinary center of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to translating science to action through innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support all young children from birth to age eight and their families. This position is time-limited, with initial funding for a two-year appointment. Continued employment is possible with extramural funding secured individually or as part of collaborative research. This assistant research scientist position will entail two primary responsibilities: (1) establishing and advancing their own portfolio of extramurally-funded research in collaboration with Center faculty, staff, and students and (2) supporting existing sensing technology grants and dissemination efforts.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE: The College of Education at the University of Florida, founded in 6, has consistently been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation in Online Graduate Education for the last nine years, No. 2 nationally for undergraduate education and 8th nationally among public graduate colleges of education (U.S. News & World Report). Four of the College's academic programs occupy top- spots in the U.S. News rankings: Counselor Education (1st), Special Education (5th), Educational Administration (th), and Elementary Education (th). Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and public scholarship—often conducted in partnership with other UF colleges, school districts and communities across the state and nation—are yielding powerful learning systems and models that are helping to transform education in today’s changing world, starting with our youngest learners. Faculty researchers last year garnered more than $.3 million in external awards supporting studies and projects addressing education’s most critical issues. With both on campus and online options, the college offers bachelor’s and advanced degree programs and concentration areas, within nine academic specialties. To sustain the college's innovative edge, heightened emphasis on emerging technologies, student experience and interdisciplinary research will effectively prepare tomorrow's leaders in all education disciplines. The College's educator preparation programs have been continuously accredited by CAEP and NCATE since 4. Follow us: @UF_COE (X), @uf_coe (Instagram), @university-of-florida-college-of-education (LinkedIn), and @UF.COE (Facebook)

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: The University of Florida, founded in 3, is a public land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant research university and one of the most academically diverse universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks UF 6th among public universities. National rankings such as 1st by the Wall Street Journal and 4th by Forbes in their respective lists of Public Universities are a result of UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value. UF is home to colleges and more than research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes, and boasts more than 6, faculty members, , students and , living alumni. Faculty scholars last year generated more than $1. billion in research awards. UF recently launched a $ million AI partnership with NVIDIA, taking the first step toward ensuring equitable access to bringing AI to students and faculty from across campus and the state. The Florida Legislature designated UF as a “preeminent'' state university in 3.

ABOUT THE AREA: UF is situated in Gainesville in North Central Florida, a vibrant college town that blends big-city cultural and athletic offerings with small-town friendliness and charm, along with excellent schools. Gainesville, located about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is often recognized as one of America’s best college towns and is easily accessible to three major metropolitan areas (Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa). The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Gainesville as a “Tree City USA” every year since 2. USA Today ranked Gainesville as the number one place to move in the Sunshine State. Add the allure of Florida’s famous sunshine, tropical breezes, and abundant wilderness, springs, rivers and seashores nearby, and it is little wonder that top-caliber faculty and students find our College and University to be the perfect balance of premier academics and a fulfilling lifestyle.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with education and experience.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering, OR a Ph.D. in or related to Education with equivalent experience with sensing technology
• Ability to conduct speech processing on recordings from natural language environments (home, school, community), with a focus on young children and caregivers
• Experience in sensing technology dataset building and merging data from multiple sensing tools
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, ability, and experience authoring scientific journal publications and/or technical reports
• Demonstrated experience contributing to the writing of research proposals
• Ability to be calm, creative, flexible, and prudent in ambiguous, challenging circumstances, and work independently

Preferred:

• Experience developing and evaluating innovative technologies for behavioral assessment and/or intervention
• Knowledge of on-the-ground sensing technology data collection
• Experience with Python, Java, and other types of programming languages
• Evidence of research funded (e.g., fellowships, government agencies, industry sponsors, and/or non-profit organizations)
• Interest, ability, and experience in the design and execution of collaborative multi-disciplinary research
• Experience with research development and management in settings for children aged birth to eight years