Working/Functional Title
Teaching Position in Statistics & Mathematics
Position Summary
Michigan State University (MSU) and MSU’s Lyman Briggs College (LBC) actively promote a dynamic working and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
LBC invites applications for a teaching-focused faculty position to join the college’s math and statistics faculty starting August of 2027. The successful candidate will primarily teach introductory undergraduate statistics courses for scientists, with opportunities to teach college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus (1–3), and interdisciplinary, writing-intensive senior seminar courses.
Candidates must be committed to undergraduate teaching and must have a master’s degree (minimum) or Ph.D. (desired) in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, or mathematics education by August 15, 2027. This position requires expertise in and enthusiasm for teaching undergraduate statistics and mathematics courses, especially non-majors statistics, college algebra and precalculus. The successful candidate will be committed to advancing excellence in the teaching of introductory courses in statistics and mathematics and will join the college’s ongoing efforts to improve undergraduate STEM education. Using scholarly and inclusive approaches to teaching students and mentoring student employees is essential.
This position offers exciting opportunities for individuals interested in teaching in a liberal-arts style residential college with all of the resources of a large “BigTen” research university. Founded in 1967, Lyman Briggs College (LBC) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate residential college within MSU that aims to transform what it means to be a scientist (read more about LBC’s Mission and Vision). There are approximately 2,000 students in LBC, engaging in a curriculum that integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the human, social, and global dimensions of the sciences. The LBC students are diverse, with 66% identifying as women and 31% identifying as students of an underrepresented racial/ethnic group. Additionally, 32% of LBC students are members of the MSU Honors College and 12% are first generation students. Faculty work closely with students in small classes, and the college is known as a place for interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching and learning, and engagement. The college boasts a dynamic community of students, staff, and faculty who make LBC an exceptional place to learn and work.
The successful candidate will be an Academic Specialist in the Continuing Appointment System. Academic Specialists are long-term, teaching-focused faculty who are outstanding instructors in the classroom, support curriculum improvement, and who support and mentor undergraduates. Academic Specialists also contribute professional service to the college and university, including membership on academic governance committees, and have full voting rights in the college. Academic Specialists in the Continuing Appointment System are supported in their professional development and follow a career progression (i.e., reappointment, reappointment with Continuing Status, promotion to Senior Academic Specialist). The successful candidate will start with a three-year probationary appointment that has the potential, after successful reappointment, to become a long-term position in the Academic Specialist Continuing Appointment System (for details, review the MSU Academic Specialist Handbook and its Initial, Continuing, and Probationary Appointments section in particular). Reappointment and continuing appointment decisions are based on performance reviews that include peer and student teaching evaluations.
The successful candidate will teach five or six courses each academic year. The LBC Math Group offers courses in non-majors statistics, college algebra, pre-calculus, and calculus 1-3. Many courses are taught with the support of undergraduate learning assistants. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work on other teaching and learning projects as needs and interests arise. For example, they have the opportunity to mentor graduate students on teaching and learning projects or undergraduates on training grants.
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.
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
Masters -in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field
Desired Degree
Doctorate -statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field
Minimum Requirements
- Candidates must have a Masters in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field
- At least one full year of teaching experience in undergraduate-level statistics and/or mathematics courses, which could include Advanced Placement courses.
Desired Qualifications
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Candidate has a PhD in statistics, statistics education, mathematics, mathematics education, or a related field
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Experience teaching undergraduate statistics and/or mathematics classes as the instructor of record
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Experience in the design and development of undergraduate learning experiences, such as lesson plans, mentorship efforts, workshops, or syllabi
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Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from a range of backgrounds through teaching, service, and/or community involvement
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Demonstrated scholarly teaching and interest in applying innovative approaches to undergraduate statistics and mathematics education
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Demonstrated commitment to effective and inclusive leadership of teaching teams, such as undergraduate learning assistants, graduate teaching assistants, or secondary teachers
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Experience mentoring undergraduate students
Required Application Materials
To ensure a holistic assessment of candidates, we request that applications include:
- a CV, including education background/qualifications, teaching, mentoring, and/or leadership roles, and contributions to your academic, professional, or personal communities;
- a teaching portfolio that includes:
- A 2-page teaching statement describing your teaching philosophy, strategies you use to engage students from a wide range of backgrounds and preparation levels, and examples of how you adapt your teaching based on student feedback or outcomes data.
- An example aligned course learning objective, along with an assessment associated with that learning objective, and a brief description of a class activity designed to help students meet the learning objective. Please keep this to 1-2 pages.
- a cover letter that frames your application in the context of this position in Lyman Briggs College and addresses the desired qualifications. Note that no candidate will meet every qualification listed. We welcome applications from those who bring strong alignment with several listed areas.
In addition, contact information for three potential references will be asked for in the MSU’s application system. Letters of support or reference calls will be solicited from recommenders only for those candidates who are selected for pre-screens and/or interviews.
Special Instructions
Deadline to ensure full consideration of applications is Nov 23, 2026, but review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding this position should be directed to the search committee chair, Ak Zeleke, zeleke@msu.edu.
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.
Review of Applications Begins On
11/23/2026
Website
https://lbc.msu.edu
Department Statement
The LBC curriculum integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the history, philosophy, sociology, and communication of the sciences. LBC enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students. Faculty work closely with students through small classes, laboratory instruction, mentoring, and collaborative learning experiences. LBC is also a leader in research on teaching and learning and in interdisciplinary scholarship. The college is home to a collaborative community of students, staff, and faculty committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
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.
