Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Inclusive Education

Deadline for application: November 10th, 2024

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), is offering a position of Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Inclusive education at the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP) in Locarno.

Degree of employment 100% (permanent contract) and expected starting date on September 1st, 2025 at the latest.

Professional environment

The DFA/ASP ensures the professional development of teachers of all school levels (preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school and special needs school). It conducts research, innovation and development projects centered on professional training, education, cultural development and learning in formal and informal learning contexts. It offers continuing and advanced training, as well as a wide range of services aimed at teaching and training professionals or other audiences. It also plays an important cultural role on the regional and national level and in the coordination and development of the education and training system.

The Competence Centre for School, Social and Educational Needs (BESS) of DFA/ASP has as its aims training, services, innovation and research in the fields of specialised and inclusive pedagogy and equal opportunities applied to education and training systems and, more generally, the quality of the forms of attention to special educational needs and the application of the principles of inclusion, accessibility and participation in everyone's school, social and cultural life.  The centre works together with cantonal, national and international individuals, organisations, associations and centres of expertise with similar or analogous interests that offer specialist input on school, cultural and social inclusion, specific learning disorders, equal opportunities, universal design for learning and accessibility. The centre offers both graduate studies and continuing education in accordance with the research, knowledge developments and themes that characterise the fields in question. In particular, the centre holds scientific responsibility for the DFA/ASP Master's Degree Course in Specialised Pedagogy and Inclusive Education. In addition, the BESS is requested for supervision, training and services in its areas of competence by institutions, public and private organisations and interest groups.

Duties 

The associate professor:

• Acquires research and development projects and mandates.
• Develops high-quality scientific output and significant publications that are recognised within the academic community. 
• Participates actively in the delivery of undergraduate and graduate studies and lifelong learning, assuming responsibility for modules and courses as required.
• Undertakes teaching activities, ensuring the implementation of the principles and good practices of university teaching.
• Serves as a thesis supervisor for Bachelor's and/or Master's students, and/or acts as a co-rapporteur or co-rapporteur for doctoral students.
• Plays an active role in the strategic development of institutional mandates.
• Participates in the establishment of research and development collaborations with the teaching sector of the institution and contributes to the development of new courses and training pathways.
• Participates in the transfer of knowledge to the external socio-economic context.
• Has an impact on the scientific and/or professional communities and the socio-economic context through his or her work.
• Assumes scientific responsibility for the work of a group of researchers, lecturers, teacher-researchers and teacher-professionals. 
• Coordinates in the performance of its activities with the reference persons in charge of teaching, research and development and services for an adequate integration of its collaborators in the activities related to the institutional mandates.
• Constantly promotes or encourages a climate of general well-being within his/her unit and within SUPSI in general.

Requirements

• Master's or Doctorate (PhD) degree in the subject area of the position.
• A minimum of five years' experience in research and/or development in an academic environment.
• A minimum of five years' qualified experience of teaching in an academic setting.
• Relevant scientific publications in terms of quality and quantity in the subject area of the competition.
• Proven experience in the design, acquisition and leadership of research and/or development projects.
• Proven experience in designing and leading courses and modules in the academic field.
• Proven knowledge of the cantonal and national school and academic system.
• Clinical and/or research experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders and/or disability.
• Presence in academic and professional networks, scientific associations, consortia at national and/or international level.
• Proven experience in organizing committees for events, congresses and/or conferences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Autonomy, flexibility, welcoming, spirit of initiative, resistance to stress and reliability.
• Excellent knowledge of Italian and good working knowledge of a second national language and/or English.

Application

Only applications submitted by November 10th, 2024 using the online application form will be considered. All applications must include:

• Letter of motivation.
• Curriculum vitae.
• List of scientific publications and links to the 5 most relevant publications.
• Diplomas and work certificates.
• Any honours and/or awards received.
• At least two recent letters of reference attesting to the candidate's professional, scientific and teaching qualities.
• Presentation of activities carried out in research projects.
• Presentation of teaching activities carried out at university level with relevant evaluations.

Further information

For any further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Alberto Piatti alberto.piatti@supsi.ch, Director of the DFA/ASP. 

In addition to the documents to be submitted when applying online, additional documentation (criminal record, copy of an identity document) may be requested at a later stage. Incomplete applications, or applications sent to other addresses or after the deadline will not be accepted. 

Rif. 1430_DFA/ASP