Associate Professor in Educational Studies

The Marsal Family School of Education at the University of Michigan seeks a mid‑career colleague for a tenure‑track appointment at the rank of associate professor in Educational Studies with a focus on science teaching and/or the learning sciences.

Candidates should have a strong grounding in science education with an emphasis on community‑engaged and/or place‑based education, a rich understanding of and engagement with the cultures and practices of science, and expertise in and commitment to science education and the learning sciences. The new faculty member should, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to the teaching and learning of science in a society that is increasingly diverse, whose schools and communities are inequitably resourced, and whose children have unequal opportunities both in and out of school.

Candidates should have a track record of securing external funding for their scholarly agenda.

Successful candidates might reect a range of interests and backgrounds. For example, the faculty member might:

• Design learning environments to engage children and youth in sense making around consequential educational and social justice issues, such as climate change or health and well‑being.
• Partner with local community groups, environmental justice organizations, or city agencies to engage youth, families, and other area stakeholders in studying and addressing urban issues such as air quality, heat islands, transportation, food systems, or water infrastructure.
• Examine how urban ecologies, histories, and sociopolitical contexts shape learners’ opportunities to participate in science and leverage these contexts to design more equitable learning environments.
• Focus on the intersection of science education, science learning, and educational policy, examining levers for reform in science teaching and learning.

Note that these areas of interest are meant to be examples and do not reflect an exhaustive list of possible foci for successful candidates.

Educational Studies has an internationally recognized faculty committed to: the study and advancement of equity and social justice in school and in out‑of‑school settings, effective teaching in the core disciplines, the study of how technologies and other educational innovations enhance teaching and learning, the social and political contexts and the historical and philosophical foundations of schooling, and the use of evidence to shape education policy and public discussions on curriculum, teaching, and achievement.

Graduates of our program become engaged in academic and research careers in university programs, research organizations, or public agencies; administrative positions in school systems, educational centers, or national, regional, and state agencies; and in teacher education, professional development and curriculum positions in local and state systems and educational companies as well as for‑profit and not‑for‑profit organizations.

We plan to fill the position with a start date of August 2027. Salary will be negotiated on the basis of the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The appointment will be for the regular nine‑month academic year with possible additional remuneration for administrative duties. Salaries at the University of Michigan compare favorably with those at other leading institutions of higher education. The University of Michigan offers extensive family‑friendly policies for faculty and liberal benefits, including a retirement plan, and group health, dental, and life insurance plans.

Candidates are asked to submit

• a cover letter
• a curriculum vitae
• a research statement
• three publications that demonstrate scholarly accomplishment and/or public scholarship in their area of research
• a sample syllabus and core assignment/activity that exhibits an emphasis on community‑engaged science teaching and learning (e.g., community co‑design, place‑based science, youth participatory STEM, etc.)

Please note:

We will ask for the names of four professional references, teaching evaluations, and a teaching and service statement at a later…