Job Description

escription of Work
The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools aims to make a positive difference in people’s lives through research in the social, behavioral and educational sciences. Together with our partners in research, practice and policy, we develop research-based solutions and innovative approaches to support Nebraska’s schools, programs and families, which in turn, build strong, vibrant communities.

The Project Director will provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight across a number of state, private and federally-funded projects in Dr. Pam Bazis’ lab and the UNL Schmoker Reading Center.

Responsibilities include:
Developing, monitoring, and managing project budgets for multiple grants and contracts to ensure expenditures align with sponsor guidelines and university policies.
Providing comprehensive project management for operational efficiency, supporting and guiding operations to ensure timely and effective implementation of project activities.
Contributing to strategic planning initiatives, supporting sustainability efforts and identifying future funding opportunities to enhance the long-term success and growth of the research center.

About Us
The College of Education and Human Sciences strives to be a vibrant, welcoming, and caring community driven by our mission to enhance the lives of individuals, families, schools, and communities, and strengthening the relationships among them.

At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and certified as a Family Friendly Workplace. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace; it’s a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.

When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you’ll enjoy:
Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
Comprehensive insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
Robust retirement plans with university match

Learn more about UNL benefits and your total compensation at: https://go.unl.edu/aboutus
Minimum Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, psychology, child development, or related field plus seven (7) years of experience teaching in school districts along with a minimum of five (5) years of coaching experience in elementary school settings.
Research experience in reading development and literacy education.
Grant project management experience with demonstrated success in implementation and oversight.
Expertise in designing and developing differentiated instruction for children with and without disabilities.
Must have a valid driver’s license and meet University driver eligibility requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are preferred but not required:
Ph.D. or Ed.D. in special education, literacy education, curriculum and instruction, teacher leadership, or related field.
Five (5) years post masters experience or two (2) years post Ph.D. developing and leading professional development grounded in evidence-based practices as part of a team.
Experience with nonprofit management.
Experience with large-scale research studies with intervention and training components.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong background in evidence-based reading instruction methodologies, proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse educational stakeholders, and an unwavering commitment to improving reading outcomes through sustained professional development and coaching support of individual teachers. They will demonstrate expertise in team supervision and partnership development, along with a proven ability to manage complex, multi-funded research initiatives.