Department: Prevention Science Institute
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 9 Month
Review of Applications Begins
July 7, 2025; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
In addition to your application, please submit the following:
• Current resume/CV
• A cover letter that demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references. These references will be used to gather reference letters. Candidates will be contacted prior to reference checks.
Department Summary
The Prevention Science Institute (PSI) is a multi-disciplinary institute focused on understanding human development, preventing behavioral health problems, and implementing effective interventions in community settings. The PSI encompasses focus areas consistent with the field of prevention science, including prevention and intervention, and implementation science. Understanding effective intervention strategies and the outcomes associated with these interventions across multiple domains of functioning, including biological, social, and contextual, is the focus of research at the PSI.
The core mission of the PSI is to improve the lives and well-being of children, individuals, and families throughout the lifespan. The PSI is committed to research that expands our understanding of interventions and development with diverse populations, and actively seeks to promote research that reduces health disparities in service utilization.
Position Summary
The person hired for this position will provide in-person coaching including on-site visits with Early Childhood teachers in the implementation of an early childhood curriculum, Early Learning Matters (ELM). The research goal of the project is to evaluate whether implementation of the ELM curriculum with the supports of professional learning and coaching produces measurable impacts for teachers and children. The Coach will attend and lead professional learning workshops with the teachers, utilizing a practice-based coaching model and the ELM curriculum as their content to promote teachers’ accurate implementation of the curriculum. The Coach will use a range of effective strategies to support teachers’ implementation of the ELM curriculum. For example, the Coach may guide teachers’ use of the curriculum materials, observe teacher implementation and provide individualized feedback on their practice, model quality practices, and more. The Coach will provide verbal and written feedback on teaching practice based on their observations, provide regular reports to the project investigators on coaching activities, and assist with report writing.
• This position requires flexibility in work hours and the ability to travel to various sites throughout Lane County.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, child development, education, or related field is required.
• Five years teaching experience in an early childhood education setting.
• Five years experience mentoring or supervising teachers, providing verbal and written feedback on their teaching practice.
Professional Competencies
• Strong knowledge of child development, early learning standards, and evidence-based teaching strategies.
• Ability to collaborate with teachers to enhance curriculum, instruction, and classroom environments.
• Model developmentally appropriate practices and effective teaching strategies.
• Comfort with basic technology.
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups in a culturally and linguistically competent manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in education, early childhood education, child development, or related field.
• Experience mentoring a diverse group of early childhood educators and providing positive, constructive, individualized feedback.
• Experience with Head Start/child care programs.
• Knowledge of state of Oregon learning standards and early learning policies.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Experience teaching adults in a group and individual setting.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
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