University of Delaware’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies invites
nominations and applications for department chair – effective September 1, 2015

Position Requirements

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary academic unit within the UD’s College of Education and Human Development. We seek a visionary senior scientist with a strong applied research program who can provide strong, dynamic, and innovative leadership to promote the Department’s research, teaching, and clinical practice as well as advance its reputation and national visibility. Candidates must have an earned doctorate in human development, family studies, community psychology, early childhood development and inclusive education, social work, or a related field and be qualified for appointment at the associate or professor level in a tenure-line position.  A strong record of externally funded research; commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching; ability to build effective collaborations across faculty, programs, units, and departments; knowledgeable about federal policy and an eagerness to learn about Delaware child and family policies, and teacher certification; strategic budget planning experience; and imaginative management and interpersonal skills are required. 

HDFS Overview

HDFS has a strong commitment to scholarship and teaching, as well as to pre-service and in-service education.  The Department consists of 19 faculty and staff who teach and supervise approximately 480 undergraduate and 35 graduate students. Many faculty hold joint appointments in various research, service, and policy-oriented centers within the University.  Academic curricula lead to a B.S. degree with emphasis in Human Services or Early Childhood Education, and an M.S. and Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Studies. These programs stress applied scholarship, interdisciplinary approaches, risk and resiliency, and issues of diversity. All HDFS undergraduate programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Standards in Human Service Education. The Department also houses a state of the art Laboratory Preschool (www.labpreschool.udel.edu), the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (http://dieec.udel.edu), and New Directions Early Head Start (www.hdfs.udel.edu/content/new-directions-early-head-start).

The salary is competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Faculty and administrators have received annual across the board and merit salary increases, and the benefits package is one of the best in the nation.  Relocation and research start-up costs are available.  The chair position is a five-year renewable term appointment with a start date of Sept. 1, 2015.

Review of applications will begin on Nov. 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled.  Applicants must submit a letter of application that includes a research statement, a leadership-style statement, contact information for three references, and a curriculum vitae as a single pdf document through the online application system (www.udel.edu/udjobs/).  Candidates will be notified before references are contacted. 

For inquiries, contact: Dr. Carol Vukelich, Search Committee Chair, 302-831-1657 (Vukelich@udel.edu).

University of Delaware

Founded in 1743, the University of Delaware combines tradition and innovation, offering students a rich heritage along with the latest in instructional and research technology.  Located in scenic Newark, Delaware, within 2 hours of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., the University is a Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, Carnegie Research University (very high research activity), with external funding exceeding $180 million.  A state-assisted, privately-governed institution, the University enrolls approximately 17,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. 

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from minority group members and women.  The University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html. Employment offers will be conditioned upon successful completion of a criminal background check.  A conviction will not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment.