Career Center

Working/Functional Title

Instructor/Ast Professor Fixed Term

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of the successful candidate will be to join a community of committed faculty and graduate teaching assistants to teach two class meetings and three recitation sections per week of Integrative Biology 341, Fundamental Genetics during the fall and spring semesters (67%) The second major responsibility is to work with other faculty on curricular development for the course with the goal of improving student learning and success in the course (33%).  Fundamental Genetics is a large service course taken by students in multiple majors and programs across the University. The course serves to provide knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic transmission biology, population and evolutionary genetics, and applications to modern biotechnologies, through a student-driven methodology that centers on problem-solving to master critical skills.  It is expected that the successful candidate will contribute to the collaborative efforts with multiple faculty members who teach this course and are engaged in efforts to improve undergraduate STEM education at MSU.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. (ABD considered) in genetics or a related field and undergraduate teaching experience. The candidate must have a strong commitment to student success and creating an inclusive learning environment for a diverse group of students. The candidate must have experience using student-centered teaching methods such as active and inquiry-based learning. The candidate must have experience with assessment of student learning. The candidate must also be committed to continued professional development and have excellent collaboration/interpersonal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include upper-level undergraduate teaching experience with the use of instructional technology and on-line learning. Discipline-based Education Research and/or Scholarship of Teaching of Learning experience as well as experience working with large classes would be valuable.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should submit the following information all in a single pdf: 

• a Curriculum Vitae 
• a Cover Letter that specifically addresses your background in genetics, teaching experience and philosophy, and professional development activities/trainings (not to exceed 2 pages) 
• a  DEI Statement; a 1 page summary of how you have, or plan to, support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in your teaching 
• an Assessment Example; sample of a genetics assessment with the learning objective associated with the assessment (not to exceed 1 page; examples could include a sample quiz/exam question, homework, or in-class learning activity) 
• a Description of Student-centered Teaching Methods and Collaborative Work; 1) how you have used student-centered teaching methods and 2) previous collaborative work, describing your role and how you worked successfully with others (not to exceed 2 pages) 
• Contact Information for three professional references; letters will be requested during the screening process.

Together-we-will Statement

Special Instructions

Please direct questions regarding the position to Terri McElhinny, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology and Chair of the Search Committee (mcelhinn@msu.edu). 

To be hired at the rank of “Instructor” you must have progressed to at least ABD status.  To be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor fixed-term, you must have earned a Ph.D. prior to beginning the appointment.

Review of Applications Begins On

1/31/2023

Website

https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

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About Michigan State University

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