Specialist - Teacher-Continuing

About the Role

Lyman Briggs College (LBC) at Michigan State University invites applications for a teaching-focused faculty position to join the college’s math and statistics faculty starting August 2027. The successful candidate will primarily teach introductory undergraduate statistics courses for scientists, with opportunities to teach college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus (1–3), and interdisciplinary, writing-intensive senior seminar courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach five or six courses each academic year in non-majors statistics, college algebra, pre-calculus, and calculus 1-3
• Support curriculum improvement and mentor undergraduates
• Contribute professional service to the college and university, including membership on academic governance committees
• Participate in the college's ongoing efforts to improve undergraduate STEM education
• Mentor student employees and potentially mentor graduate students on teaching and learning projects or undergraduates on training grants

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field by August 15, 2027
• At least one full year of teaching experience in undergraduate-level statistics and/or mathematics courses, which could include Advanced Placement courses

Desired Qualifications

• Doctorate in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field
• Experience teaching undergraduate statistics and/or mathematics classes as the instructor of record
• Experience in the design and development of undergraduate learning experiences, such as lesson plans, mentorship efforts, workshops, or syllabi
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from a range of backgrounds through teaching, service, and/or community involvement
• Demonstrated scholarly teaching and interest in applying innovative approaches to undergraduate statistics and mathematics education
• Demonstrated commitment to effective and inclusive leadership of teaching teams, such as undergraduate learning assistants, graduate teaching assistants, or secondary teachers
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students

About the Department

Founded in 1967, Lyman Briggs College is an interdisciplinary undergraduate residential college within MSU that integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the human, social, and global dimensions of the sciences. There are approximately 2,000 students in LBC, with 66% identifying as women, 31% identifying as students of an underrepresented racial/ethnic group, 32% members of the MSU Honors College, and 12% first-generation students. Faculty work closely with students in small classes, and the college is known as a place for interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching and learning, and engagement.

Position Details

The successful candidate will be an Academic Specialist in the Continuing Appointment System, with full voting rights in the college. This is a teaching-focused faculty position with a three-year probationary appointment that has potential to become a long-term position with reappointment and continuing status. Academic Specialists follow a career progression including promotion to Senior Academic Specialist. Reappointment and continuing appointment decisions are based on performance reviews that include peer and student teaching evaluations.

Required Application Materials

• CV, including education background/qualifications, teaching, mentoring, and/or leadership roles, and contributions to academic, professional, or personal communities
• Teaching portfolio including:
  • A 2-page teaching statement describing teaching philosophy, strategies to engage students from a wide range of backgrounds and preparation levels, and examples of adapting teaching based on student feedback or outcomes data
  • An example aligned course learning objective, along with an associated assessment and a brief description of a class activity designed to help students meet the learning objective (1-2 pages)
• A cover letter framing the application in the context of this position in Lyman Briggs College and addressing the desired qualifications
• Contact information for three potential references (letters or calls will be solicited only for candidates selected for pre-screens and/or interviews)

Application Deadline

To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by November 23, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position should be directed to the search committee chair, Ak Zeleke, at zeleke@msu.edu.