Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The Department of Sociology at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks candidates for two tenure-system Assistant Professor positions in Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. These positions are part of a new research focal area in the Department of Sociology within the College of Social Science that addresses present and future challenges connected to race, class, gender, and sexuality in the context of social identities, inequities, and institutions. These 9-month academic year positions begin on August 16, 2025.

For the first position, we seek candidates who investigate race and ethnicity, with preference given to applicants with established expertise in Black identities, experiences, and/or communities utilizing quantitative methods (including but not limited to demography and population-level research). Successful candidates will examine drivers of social inequities, resilience, and resistance over time and/or across geographic areas. Such drivers may include, but are not limited to, physical environments and built infrastructure (e.g., accessibility of healthy food and clean water, and safe and reliable housing, community spaces, and transportation), social institutions (healthcare, employment, media, religion, family, state/governmental protection and/or surveillance), and/or social and psychological factors (e.g., education, class, sexuality, gender, social movements, resilience, and resistance). The second position is open to candidates with established expertise in race, class, gender, and/or sexuality and open to methodological approach.

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 -PhD in Sociology or closely related field by the date of hire.

Minimum Requirements

Successful candidates must have:

• a PhD in Sociology or closely related field by the date of hire;
• graduate training and emerging expertise in sociology of race, ethnicity, and/or color, preferably incorporating intersectional analyses and methodological approaches that also consider class, gender, and/or sexuality,
• a promising research agenda, commitment to rigorous and ethical scholarship, and potential for (and/or record of) securing extramural funding;
• demonstrated potential for (and/or evidence of) high-quality instruction and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and
• demonstrated potential for (and/or evidence of) effective service to the institution, leadership in the discipline, and/or engagement with broader publics.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred candidates will have:

• scholarly interests that connect with departmental strengths of health, medicine, and the body and/or environment, migration, and movements.

Required Application Materials

Applications must be submitted to the MSU Applicant Page at https://careers.msu.edu. Complete applications must include:

1. a cover letter;
2. a curriculum vitae;
3. a 1-page research statement that includes what position you are applying for;
4. a 1-page teaching statement;
5. a diversity and inclusion statement (a statement addressing how past/and or potential contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance MSU's commitment to inclusive excellence); and
6. three professional reference letters.

Special Instruction