university-year appointment beginning August 25, 2027. The “Science and Society” Program aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge in the natural sciences and to demonstrate the mutual influences among science, technology, policy, and culture. This program emphasizes interdisciplinary teaching and experiential learning whenever feasible. The subject areas of natural science are open; we are particularly interested in those related to climate change, biodiversity, or health.
The successful candidate will serve as head of the program and teach five courses throughout the academic year (fall and winter terms) beginning on August 25, 2027.
Teaching responsibilities
The successful candidate will teach introductory and upper-level courses in their areas of expertise. Each fall, the candidate will also offer a first-year writing seminar on a natural-science theme. Examples of recent first-year writing courses of this kind are “Lessons from Deep Time” and “The Science of Creativity.” The academic minor in Science, Technology, and Society is housed in the Residential College. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to serve as faculty advisor to the minor or as a general advisor in the RC depending on staffing needs.
Administrative responsibilities
The responsibilities of the program head are listed below; these extend throughout the year.
- Hold regular meetings for faculty in the program
- Oversee course offerings and curriculum management of the program, including review of course descriptions as needed
- Meet with RC students enrolled in natural-science majors
- Interact with the RC Academic Services office Attend meetings of the RC Curriculum Planning Committee as a representative of the Science and Society Program
- Advise the RC Administrative Team and Executive Committee on program needs and accomplishments
- Liaise with the natural-science departments on campus to identify faculty who could cross-list courses in the RC Science and Society Program.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will have an advanced degree in the natural sciences (e.g., earth sciences, biology, physics) prior to the starting date and instructional expertise teaching undergraduate students. In addition, desired qualifications are a PhD in the natural sciences and evidence of successful teaching of a diverse group of undergraduate students in small-course settings. Excellence in teaching and instructional service will be the principal criteria used to select the successful candidate.
Application Instructions
Materials are only being accepted via Interfolio (apply.interfolio.com/187995). Applicants should submit the following materials:
- Cover Letter Curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Three references, which should include their contact information and your relationship to them.
Please direct inquiries about this position to rcpositions@umich.edu
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
