Human Resources

Summary

The Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Technological University invites applications for the position of Assistant Teaching Professor in Political Science or Public Policy. Applicants must have a PhD in Political Science, Public Policy, or a related social science field.

The successful candidate will be able to develop and teach courses in political science and/or policy in subjects reflecting their training and interests and matching departmental needs. Desirable areas include American and/or international government and politics, public policy, and quantitative methods. In addition to supporting the Department’s role in the university-wide Essential Education program, the candidate will contribute to our new undergraduate programs in Policy & Community Development and Sustainability Science & Society, and may also contribute to our graduate programs in Environmental & Energy Policy (MS and Phd), Industrial Heritage and Archaeology (MS and PhD), Sustainable Communities (MS), and the graduate certificate in Public Policy.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply, Engagement & Belonging

Responsibilities 

Teach a variety of undergraduate courses that meet the needs of the department’s majors and the University’s Essential Education program (typically a 3/4 teaching load).

Participate in curriculum development and assessment.

Contribute to Department and University service activities.

Integrate safety practices into daily activities and commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Ph.D. in Political Science, Public Policy, or a related Social Science field required by the start date of August 2025.

Required Experience

Demonstrated success in undergraduate teaching, including experience teaching, incorporating innovative teaching strategies, technologies, or high-impact practices (HIPs), and/or fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Demonstrated success in developing undergraduate curriculum
Relevant professional experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Ability to teach foundational disciplinary courses in political science, public policy, or related Social Science fields

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Mentoring or advising undergraduate students
Teaching quantitative research methods
Ongoing scholarly contributions in research and/or pedagogy
Active participation in scholarly organizations
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

9 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

Department Chair

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

For full consideration please submit materials by February 14, 2025.

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:
● Curriculum Vitae
● Cover Letter
● Teaching statement

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Social Sciences Department and the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech.

Applicants invited for interviews will be asked to submit additional materials, including the names and contact information of three professional references, sample teaching materials, and a writing sample (ideally from published scholarship).

Additional Information

The Department of Social Sciences takes a collaborative approach to addressing socioeconomic, technological, cultural, and environmental change to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. Our faculty are institutional leaders in action-based learning, applied inquiry, and community-engaged research. We offer graduate programs in Environmental & Energy Policy (MS and PhD), Industrial Heritage & Archaeology (MS and PhD), and Sustainable Communities (MS). The department offers undergraduate degrees in Anthropology, Policy & Community Development (including concentrations in Health, Law, or Environment), Social Sciences (including concentrations in Policy, Law, & Society and History), and Sustainability Science & Society. Learn more about the Department’s teaching and research profile at https://www.mtu.edu/social-sciences/.

Michigan Technological University, one of the four major research universities in the State of Michigan, is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, MI on the south shore of Lake Superior.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM. 

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members’ partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest.