Description
Design-Based Research in Education Faculty
Location: University of Notre Dame
Open Date: Nov 19, 2025
Deadline: Dec 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Description: The Institute for Education Initiatives (IEI) at the University of Notre Dame invites applications for a non-tenure track faculty position at the open-rank level (Assistant, Associate, or Full) specializing in design-based research in education that draws on a disciplinary focus pertinent to teaching, learning, or educational systems (e.g. psychology, sociology, the learning sciences, the scholarship of teaching and learning). We seek a dynamic, established, or emerging scholar with a strong record of research, teaching, and professional service committed to leveraging rigorous, iterative design processes to create, study, and refine innovative learning environments, tools, and practices. This is a full time, 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.
This faculty member will hold the appropriate rank as research professor. This designation will enable the advancement of knowledge and facilitate significant contributions through research partnerships, research training (such as methods courses or undergraduate or graduate student research mentorship), courses in the learning sciences, methodologies, or thesis/capstones. Additionally, given the Institute's broad suite of degree-granting and non-degree granting programs, this position will work with colleagues in the development and refinement of practical solutions to complex educational problems in real-world settings.
The primary home for this position will be in the Education Schooling and Society (ESS) undergraduate minor/supplementary major, and there will be opportunities to also support the work of the Office of Impact and Improvement (OII). These affiliations will help support the mission to advance research, partnerships, and community outreach across the entire Institute.
Research and Community Partnerships
The methodology of design-based research (DBR) is vital for bridging the gap between educational theory and practice. This position directly contributes to the field by producing usable theory in the form of design principles that are empirically grounded in real-world contexts. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active research program that elevates the field of educational research and applies DBR and other appropriate methodologies drawn from the learning sciences, implementation science, and applied research, with the goal of developing new, validated artifacts, practices, and theories of learning and change that have direct, transferable societal impact.
The appointment will be central to the Institute's mission of striving to improve the education of all youth, particularly the disadvantaged, paying special-though not exclusive-attention to Catholic schools. Its teaching, scholarship, and service reflect Notre Dame's commitment to advancing K-12 schooling. The faculty member will be encouraged to form and lead long-term, reciprocal research-practice partnerships with external organizations. Strong candidates will commit to translating research for broader public benefit, teaching courses, and mentoring students in community-engaged research projects, and strengthening the University's ties with the surrounding communities. The faculty member will serve as a key liaison for collaborative projects with schools, districts, dioceses, non-profits, and universities. Additionally, this role will be well-positioned to work with a large corpus of data from the Institute's broad suite of programs. Securing external funding and leading research-practice partnerships that translate fundamental research into tangible, high-impact educational improvements are key elements of this role as the IEI continues to invest in work at the intersection of educational research and action.
Teaching Responsibilities
The faculty member will teach courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, mentoring students in applying design methodologies to real-world educational problems, as well as have the opportunity to teach courses in complementary areas of expertise. The faculty member will be housed within the Education, Schooling, and Society (ESS) program. ESS is an interdisciplinary supplementary major and minor that examines the complex role of education in human learning as well as its relationship with society, culture, politics, and the economy. The ESS program adopts a liberal arts perspective, leveraging fields such as political science, history, and sociology to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of education both within and beyond the traditional classroom setting. Its core purpose is to explore fundamental questions, including the overarching purpose of education, the causes of inequitable educational opportunities, and schooling's contribution to the development of citizens and a just society. Based on the candidate's expertise, additional opportunities may exist with the Institute.
Faculty Responsibilities
- Research (60%)
Research responsibilities will reflect a highly productive, internally/externally funded, and collaborative research agenda focused on advancing our understanding of field-based work:
a. Develop ongoing research projects that address questions aligned with the mission of the Institute
b. Secure external funding as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) from leading public and private foundations and publish high-impact scholarly work in peer-reviewed venues
c. Sustain meaningful, long-term partnerships with local, national, or international community organizations, ensuring research agendas are co-created and outcomes benefit the public
d. Spearhead internal Institute research and learning priorities, particularly those that advance knowledge from the IEI's broad suite of degree-granting and broader programs
e. Contributing to the scholarly and intellectual life of the Institute more broadly
- Teaching (20%)
Teaching responsibilities will generally include the equivalent of a two-class teaching load, likely aligning with the following, but based on the needs of programs and the faculty member's expertise:
- Two undergraduate courses for the ESS program
- Service/Programmatic Leadership and Administration (20%)
- Contribute to the ESS program, with potential opportunities to lead an undergraduate research lab or serve as the community research liaison
- Contribute to the strategic planning and advancement of the Office of Improvement and Impact (OII) long-term goals and programmatic work
- Contribute actively to the IEI community by planning and participating in Institute-wide initiatives, as appropriate
- Collaborate with the Center for Educational Research and Action (Era Center) and other University departments/colleges to advance the intellectual community within the IEI
- Participate in appointed IEI internal committees
- Engage in relevant professional organizations
Qualifications:
Qualifications
Competitive applicants must possess a disciplinary foundation and established scholarship in Design-Based Research, Learning Sciences, or a closely related field. Priority consideration will be given to candidates demonstrating experience in the following areas: (a) expertise in conducting rigorous Design-Based Research, or related methodologies, (b) a strong record of scholarship, teaching excellence, and/or professional leadership commensurate with the desired rank (Assistant, Associate Professor, or Full), (c) evidence of successful grant writing and securing external funding, and (d) experience in leading or participating in formal Research-Practice partnership. Applicants must possess an earned advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D.) or demonstrate a high probability of completion by July 1, 2026.
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/177900
This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
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