Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Position Summary

University Arts and Collections (UAC) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral scholar to serve as project manager of a newly funded 3-year grant program focused on undergraduate career and professional development. We seek a highly motivated individual with demonstrated project management and teamwork experience, who has a particular interest in university student professional development.

UAC includes the Beal Botanical Garden, the MSU Broad Art Museum, the MSU Museum and the Wharton Center.  These key public-facing units within the Office of the Provost advance the learning and discovery of the university in ways that serve both campus and the state of Michigan.  

This position will join a cross-unit UAC team and the Michigan State University’s Ethics Institute to run and evaluate a new program that supports our student interns’ professional development. Discovery via Internships: Forming Spartan Character through Engaging, Reflecting, and Networking (DISCERN), prepares students to understand how their professional work can contribute to the common good. DISCERN catalyzes a transformational moment for internships at MSU and leverages the University Arts and Collections internships ecosystem. The project’s civic professionalism framework invites UAC interns to integrate disciplinary training, work experience, and character traits and values through participation in peer communities of practice and alumni mentoring networks. Impacting up to 400 interns each year, DISCERN explores a scalable model for impactful internship outcomes.  The program is funded by the Educating Character Initiative through the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc.

This position will report to the Vice Provost for University Arts and Collections, who is the PI for the project. The postdoctoral scholar will collaborate with the PI and project team to implement the program plans and to ensure they are carried out in alignment with the project goals and objectives. Typical duties and responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating program elements across teams and partners
• Coordinating and overseeing the intern communities of practice, including supervising the work of the cohort peer mentors
• Collaborating with partners in designing program structure and activities
• Coordinating regular project meetings in collaboration with the PI
• Managing project logistics, including scheduling and organizing training sessions, helping to prepare training materials, and tracking participation
• Establishing tracking systems for ensuring that project timelines are followed and activities are completed on time and within budget
• Establishing and maintaining shared file and information repositories
• Assisting in data analysis and reporting on impact of program activities
• Working with the program team to produce articles and presentations for dissemination at conferences and journals
• Participating in conferences related to the program

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 -Preferred in education, arts, humanities, psychology, or a related field

Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD) preferred in education, arts, humanities, psychology, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-based environment
• Experience working with undergraduates, either in the classroom or in an informal setting

Desired Qualifications

• Teaching experience at the college or university level
• Experience with mixed-methods assessment and data analysis
• Experience in supervising and mentoring undergraduates
• Demonstrated ability to work on and complete complex projects with multiple deadlines
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Exceptional organization and time-management skills

Required Application Materials

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the position and how it fits with your career goals, educational background and work experience that prepares you for the responsibilities of this role, and how your expertise or experiences fit with the aims of the DISCERN project
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three professional referees who can speak to the applicant’s skills for this position

Special Instructions

Contact Dr. Judith Stoddart (stoddart@msu.edu) for inquires on position

Review of Applications Begins On

09/11/2026

Website

https://artsandcollections.msu.edu/

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.