The School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with strong interests in early childhood education policy to join the Study of Early Education through Partnerships (www.see-partnerships.com). The postdoctoral research associate will work closely with Dr. Daphna Bassok on large-scale projects related to early childhood education policy in partnerships with policymakers. They will join and contribute to a large and vibrant community of researchers working on early childhood education and policy research.

Applicants should have demonstrated interest in early childhood education research and policy. Particular interests in improving access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities at scale and/or supporting early childhood educators are encouraged. Postdoctoral research associates will have opportunities to pursue independent research and will also contribute to research on projects in collaboration with PI, SEE-Partnerships research team, and state partners. Postdoctoral research associates may receive mentoring on preparing grant proposals, improving mentoring skills, conducting rigorous research, and forming research-to-practice partnerships. They will have the opportunity gain knowledge and skills through attendance in research meetings, talks, and workshops within the University and externally as appropriate.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Work in collaboration with principal investigators and other faculty and graduate students on research.

• Effectively design, embed, and oversee research projects to answer questions of science, practice, and policy in early childhood education.

• Analyze, interpret, and oversee data analyses using a variety of research methods.

• Disseminate research findings at professional conferences, in scholarly journals, and in practitioner and policy outlets.

• Participate in large-scale Research-Policy Partnerships in Virginia.

Minimum Requirements
Education: Doctoral degree

Preferred Qualifications

Education: A Ph.D. in Education, Psychology, Education Policy, Education Psychology, Public Policy, Human Development or a relevant social science discipline by the start date of the position.

Experience: Strong methodological expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods research. Expertise with data analysis software (SPSS, R, STATA, etc.) Evidence of substantive knowledge and background in early childhood education. A track record of publication and/or experience working with policymakers or practitioners.

Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range: The anticipated hiring range is $60,000-$65,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Funding Details :This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. This position has a term limit of 1 year after which continued employment will depend on department need and funding.

Work Arrangement: This position is offering the option to work in person in Charlottesville, VA, or the option to be fully remote and may be performed outside of Charlottesville, VA, in alignment with UVA’s remote work guidelines.

About UVA and the Community: To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline: Application review will begin after Ma6 26, 2026.

Background Check: Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

Visa Sponsorship: This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply: Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0083063. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter is not required but is strongly encouraged

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

Reference Check Process: Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Recruiter Contact: For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.