Professor or Advanced Associate Professor of STEM Learning Sciences

Advertising Summary: The Virginia Commonwealth University
(VCU) School of Education (SOE) is seeking a prominent educational
researcher who works at the intersection of STEM education,
learning sciences, and artificial intelligence/machine learning
(transcending at least two of these areas) with an August 10, 2027
start date (the start date is negotiable). This is a 9-month,
tenured faculty position, at the rank of Associate Professor or
Professor. The salary for this position is competitive.

Unit: School Of Education MBU

Department: SOE Deans Office Deans Suite

Duties & Responsibilities:

At VCU, we provide UNcommon learning, research, creativity, service
and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier,
urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of
the best employers. VCU is a great place to work. It is a place of
opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can
thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths
for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do
mission-driven work.

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Education
(SOE) is seeking a prominent educational researcher who works at
the intersection of STEM education, learning sciences, and
artificial intelligence/machine learning (transcending at least two
of these areas) with an August 10, 2027 start date (the start date
is negotiable). This is a 9-month, tenured faculty position, at the
rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The salary for this
position is competitive.

The SOE’s commitment to responsive, needs-driven and research-based
educational practices that transform lives powerfully aligns with
One VCU Research’s overarching mission to enrich the human
experience, advance societal wellbeing, and optimize health through
transdisciplinary, collaborative research. By grounding educational
inquiry in evidence-based, community-focused research and
leveraging cross-disciplinary partnerships, SOE faculty contribute
directly to One VCU’s strategic priorities of innovation, social
impact, and transformative change across health, education, and
social domains. Furthermore, our faculty within the SOE and
affiliated centers (e.g., Center for Innovation in STEM Education;
Partnership for People with Disabilities; Research Rehabilitation
and Training Center) conduct federally funded, impactful research
that contributes to University Research Clusters. This position
will contribute to the ambitious research funding goals of the SOE,
produce high-quality scholarship in STEM education with connections
to learning sciences and/or artificial intelligence/machine
learning, and collaborate with SOE faculty in transformative
work.

At VCU, we believe that bringing different perspectives, expertise,
experiences, and approaches together strengthens research,
teaching, and solutions to complex problems. This philosophy drives
our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants whose
scholarship, teaching, professional experiences, and collaborative
work contribute to a supportive and intellectually vibrant
community of faculty, staff, and students.

The current faculty search, which leverages our Culture of
Collaboration, prioritizes a nationally/internationally renowned
scholar with expertise and funding that includes but is not limited
to the One VCU Priorities and the University Research Clusters such
as: STEM Education, Learning Sciences, Implementation Science,
and/or AI/Machine Learning in Education. Applicants with
exceptionally strong records of research, extramural funding, and
teaching and leadership work experience within interdisciplinary
teams are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of

respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,
staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a
commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

• An earned doctorate in education or related field closely

related to STEM education. Candidates with training in learning
sciences and/or machine learning/AI in education and their
applications to STEM education are encouraged to apply.

• A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and

professional service commensurate with tenure at the rank of
associate or full professor at a research-intensive
university.

• A well-developed scholarly/research portfolio appropriate to

complement existing expertise in the SOE via high quality
publications.

• A robust track record of continuously securing extramural

funding to support research.

• Record of effective leadership and capacity to promote a strong

collegial culture and climate.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct and/or translate research that

is responsive to the needs and experiences of varied populations
and contexts, with attention to access, implementation, engagement,
or outcomes.

• Ability to develop and support collaborative relationships

across the university and community, including school systems,
state agencies, research institutes, and policy networks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading large grant proposals and funded projects as

PI or CoPI.

• Evidence of collaborations with research centers, institutes

and/or community agencies/organizations.

• Evidence of service and leadership in national or international

professional associations.

• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration in research

program.

• Experience working effectively across cultural, disciplinary,

institutional, and community contexts.

Salary Range: $180,000 - $260,000

Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for
VCU’s robust benefits
package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual
and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning
and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,
employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities
for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Professor or Advanced Associate
Professor of STEM Learning Sciences

Rank: Professor

Tenure: Tenure Track

Months: 9 months

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Dr.
Christine Lee Bae

Contact Email: clbae@vcu.edu