Specialist - Teacher-Fixed Term

Job Description:

Position Summary

The successful candidate will work with colleagues to develop, coordinate, and teach statistics, probability, and data science courses for undergraduate students, joining a vibrant, diverse, and supportive group of faculty members focused on instructional excellence in statistics and data science. In addition to resources local to the Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University and its College of Natural Science in which the Department of Statistics and Probability is housed, provide an excellent environment for teaching innovation, including the highly-ranked Program in Mathematics Education and faculty groups in the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering.

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 -statistics, mathematics, or a related field

Desired Degree

Doctorate -statistics, mathematics, or a related field

Minimum Requirements

We seek candidates with

• A master’s or doctoral degree in statistics, mathematics, or a related field;
• knowledge of or experience with student-centered pedagogical methods;
• experience with or a commitment to cultivating inclusive learning environments;
• experience teaching statistics and/or data science to undergraduate learners, either with full responsibility for courses or as a teaching assistant;
• demonstrated experience with or commitment to learning and growing as an instructor;
• experience using R or Python, either in teaching or to support work in statistics and/or data science.

Desired Qualifications

Experience teaching large-enrollment courses is beneficial but not essential for the position.

Required Application Materials

Candidates should apply for the position at MSU CAREERS. Complete applications must include:

1. a curriculum vitae which at a minimum includes data on academic degrees earned, work experience that is relevant to the position, and experience using R or Python (and other programming languages as relevant),
2. a letter of application which describes how the candidate could contribute to the educational mission in statistics, probability, and data science at Michigan State University,
3. names and contact information for three references who can provide letters addressing the candidate’s strengths in classroom instructions,
4. a teaching statement of at most four pages which

1. 1. describes how consideration of different learners’ needs has shaped your teaching practice;
   2. describes how you have used, or would plan to implement, pedagogical methods that are student-centered and promote active learning; and
   3. describes an experience where you evaluated the efficacy of your own teaching practice, including how you collaborated with colleagues in this effort.

Special Instructions

This is an academic year (9 month) position, with a desired start date of August 16, 2026, probable opportunities for summer teaching if desired. The initial appointment is for one year only; reappointment is not guaranteed and would be contingent upon future funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Complete applications must be received preferably by April 27, 2026 to receive full consideration. Late submissions will be considered if suitable candidates are not identified by the deadline.

Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Dola Pathak ([email protected]).

Review of Applications Begins On

04/27/2026

Website

https://stt.natsci.msu.edu/

Department Statement

MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees' work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

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.