Faculty Teaching Position in Bioethics at Michigan State University (EXPIRED)

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. 

LBC invites applications for a teaching-focused faculty position in the Academic Specialist Continuing Appointment System to join the college’s History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science (HPS) group starting August of 2022. The successful candidate will have a background in bioethics, broadly defined. While the specialization within bioethics is open, areas of emphases might include: racial justice and health, health care disparities, genomics, neuroethics, data ethics, environmental ethics, biotechnology, bodily autonomy, human dignity, reproductive justice, feminist bioethics, or international bioethics. The candidate will teach a mixture of Introduction to HPS, Theories and Methods in Bioethics, and other courses in their areas of specialization, as well as senior seminar classes. 

Candidates must be committed to undergraduate teaching and must have a master’s degree (minimum) or Ph.D. (desired) in a relevant discipline in the humanities or social sciences in hand by August 15, 2022. This position requires expertise and experience in teaching undergraduates. The successful candidate will be committed to advancing excellence in undergraduate teaching particularly with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B). A scholarly approach to teaching students is essential. This position offers exciting opportunities for individuals interested in teaching in a liberal-arts style residential college with all of the resources of a large “Big 10” research university including the new Institute for Global Ethics in Theory and Practice (https://ethics.msu.edu/). 

Founded in 1967, LBC is a vibrant undergraduate residential college within MSU focusing on the study of the sciences in their societal and global contexts (http://lbc.msu.edu). The LBC curriculum integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the human, social, and cultural dimensions of the sciences. There are approximately 2,000 students in Lyman Briggs, 66% of whom 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 MSU 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. The college boasts a dynamic community of students, staff, and faculty who make LBC an exceptional place to learn and work.  

Academic Specialists in the Continuing Appointment System are long-term, teaching-focused faculty who are outstanding instructors in the classroom, support curriculum improvement, and who support and mentor undergraduates. Academic specialists also contribute professional service to the college, including membership on LBC committees, and have full voting rights in the college. As with faculty in the Tenure System, Academic Specialists in the Continuing Appointment System are supported in their professional development and follow a career progression (i.e., reappointment, reappointment with Continuing Status, promotion to Senior Academic Specialist). The successful candidate will start with a three-year probationary appointment that has the potential, after successful reappointment, to become a long-term position in the Academic Specialist Continuing Appointment System (for details see the MSU Academic Specialist Handbook at https://www.hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/faculty-academic-staff/academic-specialist-handbook/cont_probationary_apps.html). Reappointment and continuing appointment decisions are based on performance reviews that include peer and student teaching evaluations.  

The successful candidate will teach five or six courses each academic year. The HPS group offers an introductory course in HPS, Theories and Methods of Bioethics, advanced classes such as Health and Medicine and Science and the Public, as well as senior seminar classes. The successful candidate will support the Bioethics Minor which is open to undergraduate students across MSU and offers unique opportunities to mentor students. The candidate will also have the opportunity to work on other teaching and learning projects as needs and interests arise. For example, they have the opportunity to mentor graduate students on teaching and learning projects or on training grants. 

Minimum qualifications 

• Candidates must have a Masters in relevant field 

• Experience teaching undergraduate students 

Desired qualifications 

• Candidate has a PhD in a relevant field 

• Experience teaching Bioethics-related classes as the instructor of record.  

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, service, and/or community involvement 

• Demonstrated innovation in undergraduate-focused teaching  

• Experience mentoring undergraduate students 

Required application materials 

To ensure a holistic assessment of candidates, we request that applications include: 

1. a 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; 

1. a teaching portfolio including: 

1. A statement of your teaching philosophy 

1. An exemplar course learning objective, an assessment associated with that learning objective, and a brief description of a class activity designed to help students meet the learning objective; 

1. a 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, disseminating knowledge, and sustaining healthy 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, inclusion, and belonging. 

1. a cover letter that frames the application in the context of this position in Lyman Briggs College. 

In addition, contact information for three potential references will be asked for in the MSU’s application system. Letters of support will only be solicited from recommenders for those who are selected for pre-screens and/or interviews.  

We actively encourage applications from -- and welcome nominations of -- members of the LGBTQIA+ community, scholars from across the racial and class spectrum, veterans, scholars with disabilities, and scholars from other historically minoritized groups. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through diversity. 

Deadline to ensure full consideration of applications is January 10, 2022, but review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding this position should be directed to the search committee chair, Ellie Louson, at [email protected].    

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/