Assistant Professor-Tenure System

Position Summary

The Educational Administration Department in the College of Education at Michigan State University is seeking applications for a tenure-stream faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor. The department is searching for an early-career scholar whose work uses quantitative methods to focus on leadership, administration, or policy questions in education broadly defined. We are especially interested in scholars studying P-20 educational outcomes, access to higher education and workforce development, career and technical education, or educational opportunity within secondary and postsecondary contexts. Although program-specific appointments will be determined upon hire, the successful applicant will be expected to teach across programs in the Educational Administration Department, including in quantitative research methodology at the graduate level. The appointment will begin in Fall 2027.

About the Educational Administration Department

The Educational Administration Department houses two program units—Leadership in Education and Policy (LEAP) and Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE)—both of which administer programs consistently ranked in the top-10 among national and global scholarship in their respective fields. The EAD department includes two Ed.D. programs, multiple MA programs, two Ph.D. programs, and several undergraduate coursework options.

Duties and Responsibilities

The new assistant professor will teach multiple courses per year within core and elective classes at the graduate level, including in general required degree sequences, quantitative methods, mixed methods where applicable, and their own area of research specialty. They will bring a developed and coherent research agenda with demonstrated ability to publish, and potential to advance within the scholarly and professional fields applicable to their research focus, as well as the potential to successfully pursue extramural funding for their scholarship. The new faculty member will also contribute to the service life of the department, the college, and the university through committee participation, mentoring, and engagement. 

Please note that this is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.

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

Terminal -Education research, policy, leadership, higher education, or a related field (e.g. political science, economics, sociology, psychology)

Minimum Requirements

• A Ph.D. or equivalent completed by date of hire, in education research, policy, leadership, higher education, or a related field (e.g. political science, economics, sociology, psychology)
• Research focuses on one or more core areas of education leadership, policy, or higher education, specifically on P-20.
• Strong, demonstrated quantitative methodological skills.
• Successful or strong potential record of publication.
• Potential to pursue extramural grant funding.
• Commitment to inclusive excellence and impact in education.

Desired Qualifications

• Research focus on late secondary or postsecondary educational opportunity.
• The ability to inform research questions related to comparative and international education.
• The ability to engage in mixed methods approaches to research, and/or the ability to collaborate with mixed methods and qualitative research scholars.
• Demonstrated record of instructional excellence.
• The ability to translate research into outreach and engagement settings such as policymaking, K-12 school, or higher education practice.

Required Application Materials

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A letter of application that outlines interest and qualifications as described in this job description. This letter should include a statement of research and teaching philosophy. The letter should be no longer than three single-spaced pages.
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three references, which will be contacted at the finalist stage of review
• Writing samples may be requested at the finalist stage of review.

Special Instructions

Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Chair of the search committee, Dr. Josh Cowen (jcowen@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin 11,30 2027, and will continue until the position is filled.

Review of Applications Begins On

11/30/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.