Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) and MSU’s Lyman Briggs College (LBC) actively promote a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

MSU invites applications for a tenure system Assistant Professor faculty position focusing on post-secondary Mathematics or Statistics Education. The faculty appointment will be 60% in LBC and 40% in MSU’s Program in Mathematics Education (PRIME). 

This position is one of three that LBC seeks to fill. We aim to recruit three outstanding scholars for a series of new faculty positions in the core areas of Physics, Mathematics, and Biology. This group of hires will bolster existing strengths and support the launch of exciting new programs and initiatives focused upon scholarship in DEI&B: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe that this research agenda is best advanced by a cohort of faculty with varied perspectives and lived experiences, in order to challenge biases and conventions in research and academia; promote innovation; and educate future generations. These scholars will show a commitment to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment through their teaching, research, and/or community engagement.

Founded in 1967, LBC is a vibrant undergraduate residential college of Michigan State University focusing on the study of the sciences in their societal and global contexts (https://lbc.msu.edu). The LBC curriculum integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the history, philosophy, sociology, and communication of the sciences. There are approximately 2,000 students in Lyman Briggs and 66% are women. 31% of all primary, secondary degree, and additional majors identify as students of an underrepresented racial/ethnic group. Additionally, 32% of LBC students are members of the Honors College. Faculty work closely with students in small classes. LBC is also a leading center for research on teaching and learning and for interdisciplinary scholarship. Most LBC faculty members in the tenure system have a joint appointment in a disciplinary department or program to support their scholarship and professional development. The college boasts a dynamic community of students, staff and faculty who make LBC an exceptional place to learn and work.

PRIME houses the Mathematics Education Doctoral Program at MSU, which provides a Ph.D. for scholars, teachers and students seeking to understand and improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. PRIME is one of the top ranked Mathematics Education doctoral programs in the United States. PRIME is the home for several mathematics and statistics education faculty members, staff, and administrators for the Mathematics Education Doctoral Program. PRIME is contained within the College of Natural Science, while the doctoral program is administered jointly by the College of Natural Science and the College of Education, with the College of Natural Science as the lead college. 

Michigan State University provides an exceptional environment for research in mathematics or statistics education, with nationally and internationally renowned faculty in top-ranked departments within MSU’s College of Education; highly regarded Departments of Mathematics, Statistics and Probability, and Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering; as well as the innovative CREATE for STEM Institute and the Center for Instructional Mentoring.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

The position requires an earned doctorate in Mathematics Education, Statistics Education, Mathematics, or Statistics; a research program in post-secondary Mathematics or Statistics Education; a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and learning; and a strong commitment to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment through their teaching, research, or community engagement. Applicants must have at least one year of experience as the instructor of record for undergraduate mathematics or statistics courses.

Preferred Qualifications 

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated excellence in both teaching and research. The successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine concern for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, particularly by engaging in high-quality teaching and mentorship of students.

The teaching load for this position is three to four courses per academic year, with the majority of those being in LBC. The LBC math and statistics course offerings are a three-semester calculus sequence, functions & trigonometry, college algebra and statistics for scientists.  For each of these courses, the faculty member will mentor undergraduate learning assistants who typically lead recitations. A breadth of experience teaching introductory mathematics and statistics courses (such as the ones listed previously) is greatly desired. There will be opportunities to teach a senior seminar in LBC on a topic relating the mathematical sciences to science and society. Within PRIME, the faculty member will have the opportunity to team teach both upper-level undergraduate and graduate mathematics education research courses.

Developing an independent, externally-funded research program focusing on post-secondary mathematics or statistics education is a core expectation. The joint appointment with PRIME offers exciting opportunities in a program whose major strengths include Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME), Statistics Education, Mathematics Teacher Education, Research in Equity, Access, and Agency in K-12 Mathematics Education, the Connected Mathematics Project, etc. The appointment within PRIME also offers the opportunity to mentor PhD candidates in mathematics education by serving as PhD advisor or PhD committee member. As such, experience with mentoring undergraduate or graduate research students is very desirable.  

Salary is commensurate with experience. Competitive start-up support will be provided. 

Required application materials

• Cover letter that frames the application in the context of this position in Lyman Briggs College and the Program in Mathematics Education.
• CV, including education background/qualifications, a list of publications, teaching and mentoring roles, leadership positions, contributions to the academic community, and efforts in public outreach.
• Names and email addresses for four references. While letters will not be solicited for the initial evaluation of candidates, references should be prepared to submit letters (promptly upon request) that focus on the candidate’s research impact on the field, teaching and mentoring experience, or efforts to broaden representation. At least one letter should address the candidate’s teaching experience and commitment to student learning in the classroom setting.
• 2-3 page research statement indicating past research experience and future research plans
• 2-3 page teaching statement describing the applicant’s educational priorities (including teaching and mentoring) and plans to address them; this statement should highlight the applicant's efforts to address issues of diversity and inclusion.
• 1-2 page statement of contributions to the academic community. Universities are complex institutions that rely on faculty to assume diverse responsibilities, including fostering student learning, advancing research, disseminating knowledge, and sustaining inclusive communities. The applicant should describe how they have been involved in departmental and/or institutional activities as part of their institution’s academic community. They should also describe their interests and plans for enriching the MSU community, including how they plan to advance issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We actively encourage applications from -- and welcome nominations of -- mathematicians / statisticians within the LGBTQIA+ community, mathematicians / statisticians of color, veterans, mathematicians / statisticians with disabilities, and mathematicians / statisticians from other minoritized groups. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity.

This position is posted on the Careers@MSU website, posting #737988. Applications must be uploaded by the candidate to Michigan State University’s online job application site, https://careers.msu.edu, and should include a cover letter, CV, teaching portfolio, research prospectus, and names and email addresses of four references who can address the candidate's research and teaching potential.

Deadline to ensure consideration of applications: 11/01/2021; review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Robert Bell, bellro@msu.edu, Chair, Mathematics Education Search, Lyman Briggs College, Holmes Hall, 919 E. Shaw Ln, Rm E35, East Lansing, MI 48825.

Special Instructions

The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/