Position Summary
This 2-year postdoctoral scholar position will be the primary researcher for the ethnographic fieldwork component of a multi-year, NSF-funded study examining how rural Michigan communities have adapted to decades of workplace automation in manufacturing and agriculture. Working across three case counties, the postdoc will conduct sustained observational fieldwork and interviews with current and former workers, business owners and managers, families, and community leaders, documenting how the impact of automation in the workplace unfolds and how communities respond. The postdoc will be embedded in each community for extended periods, working alongside the PI, Co-PI, and a team of graduate student researchers to capture both workplace-level dynamics and broader community-level adaptation.
The successful candidate will contribute to all stages of the ethnographic research process: developing rapport and access with community and business partners, conducting semi-structured and ethnographic interviews, maintaining detailed fieldnotes and in-process memos, and contributing to qualitative data analysis using flexible coding and concept-mapping approaches. The postdoc will also contribute to academic publications, policy briefs, and presentations at academic and professional venues, and will be trained in responsible conduct of research.
The position is associated with the Quello Center for Media and Information Policy in the Department of Media and Information and the Future of Work Initiative in the College of Social Sciences at Michigan State University. The Quello Center conducts research to inform media, communication, and information policy. Our work critically examines the role of technology, policy and regulation for citizens, communities, and society. We often work with multiple stakeholders to find solutions to harness the full benefits of advanced communications. The Future of Work Initiative is a multidisciplinary research collaborative dedicated to understanding the ways that emerging technologies are reshaping the experience of work, with the goal of improving workers’ lives. We pursue this goal through industry and government partnerships and programming, research incubators, and mentorship.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
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 -information science, anthropology, sociology, communication, or a related social science.
Minimum Requirements
- Applicants must have their Ph.D. (or be ABD) in a field related to the project, including, but not limited to, information science, anthropology, sociology, communication, or a related social science.
- Applicants must have substantial training and demonstrated experience in ethnographic and qualitative fieldwork methods, including in-depth interviewing and participant observation;
- The applicant must show evidence of scholarly productivity in the form of journal articles and conference presentations.
- The applicant must have a driver’s license and reliable form of transportation, as extensive field-based travel is essential to the position. This position is located in Michigan, remote work from elsewhere is not possible.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience conducting research in rural communities, and familiarity with automation, labor, and/or economic development literatures, is a plus.
- experience with team-based or long-term fieldwork is preferred.
Required Application Materials
Applicants should include a cover letter highlighting their qualifications for the position, graduate transcript, and a current curriculum vitae with contact information for three references.
Special Instructions
To apply for this position, please refer to posting #1149615 and complete an electronic submission at the Michigan State University Employment Opportunities website, https://careers.msu.edu. Review of applications will begin on September 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Direct questions to Dr. Jean Hardy, Associate Professor, Department of Media and Information; Associate Director, Quello Center for Media and Information Policy; email: jhardy@msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/01/2026
Website
https://comartsci.msu.edu/departments/media-and-information
Department Statement
The Department of Media and Information brings together faculty from diverse disciplines to advance research in human-computer interaction, human-robot interaction, rural computing, game studies and design, and the relationships between technology, policy, health, and society. Department faculty collaborate across fields such as communication, information science, media, psychology, sociology, design, and human-computer interaction to explore critical challenges and develop innovative solutions. The department values diverse perspectives and methodologies, supporting research that enhances quality of life for individuals and communities. MI is a member of the iSchools consortium and houses a top-ranked program in game design and development
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.
