Instructor I - Geography

Position Function:

The position is for a full-time, non-tenure track instructor (9-month appointment). The successful candidate will teach three or four courses per semester not to exceed eight total courses per nine-month period. These courses include World Geography, Physical Geography or other introductory courses in geosciences. In addition, the preferred candidate will coordinate the Physical Geography laboratory sections. The duties include making sure the graduate teaching assistants are prepared to facilitate the labs and preparing laboratory instructions and materials. Summer teaching opportunities for additional pay may be available, yet summer employment is not always guaranteed.

Salary Grade: UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Geosciences currently has 21 tenured and tenure-track faculty, seven teaching professors, and five full-time instructors. Within the department, there are four areas of disciplinary emphasis: Geology, Geography, Geospatial Science, and Atmospheric Science, which offer numerous opportunities for transdisciplinary collaboration focused on the global climate system. The department is closely aligned with several MSU research centers including the Geosystems Research Institute (www.gri.msstate.edu), the High-Performance Computing Collaboratory (www.hpc.msstate.edu), and the Northern Gulf Institute (www.ngi.msstate.edu). Mississippi State University holds the “Very High Research Activity” (R1) designation from the Carnegie Foundation and is ranked in the top 100 for research and development expenditures among all institutions in the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey. More information about the Mississippi State University Department of Geosciences is available on our website: www.geosciences.msstate.edu.

Area of Specialization:

Geography

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2024

Tenure Track Status:

Non-Tenure

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The typical course load for an instructor is four courses per semester. Summer teaching may be available for additional salary.

Minimum Qualifications:

An M.S. degree with minimum of 18 hours from Geosciences/Geography or related field. Demonstration, evidence, and commitment to excellence in teaching. Background knowledge of human and physical geography.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications include a minimum of 2-3 years of teaching experience, coupled with a background in educational pedagogy and practice within higher education. Candidates should possess experience in teaching introductory geography courses that encompass both human and physical geography themes, ideally at the secondary or higher education level. Demonstrated ability to provide instructional examples showcasing cross-curricular applications, being able to teach face-to-face, and illustrating the relevance of geography to non-geoscience majors, and design experiential learning activities related to human and physical geography across diverse global communities is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The ideal candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high-quality instruction, coupled with exceptional communication skills encompassing both written and verbal proficiency. They should exhibit the ability to effectively engage with students in a classroom environment, fostering positive interactions and facilitating learning. Moreover, proficiency in utilizing modern computer hardware and software to enhance instructional delivery is essential for this role.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The successful candidate must be able to teach in a classroom setting at Mississippi State University.

Instructions for Applying:

All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, concise teaching philosophy, and complete contact information for at least three professional references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.