Working/Functional Title

Ast/Asc Professor - Tenure System

Position Summary

The Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures (LiLaC) at Michigan State University is seeking a tenure system Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in German Studies with a specialization at the intersection of language and culture (e.g., applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, social perspectives on second language acquisition). Well-qualified and experienced candidates may be considered for the associate professor rank with or without tenure. The position is a full-time, academic year (9 month) appointment, beginning August 16, 2025. The duty period runs from August 16 through May 15 of each year.

We seek candidates with active teaching and research interests in social justice issues in (applied) linguistics. Areas of specialization may include: language use, variation, and change; social perspectives on second language acquisition; social justice issues in multilingualism. We are especially interested in candidates working on global and/or digital German-speaking communities. We are open to a wide range of methodological orientations (e.g., qualitative, mixed, and/or quantitative approaches) and modes of engaging students, which will expand the spirit of interdisciplinarity that characterizes German at MSU. We especially invite candidates who can expand and enrich the existing strengths of the program through their lived experiences, research, teaching, and service.

The successful candidate will contribute to the German Studies Program’s mission and vision in research, teaching, and community engagement. The standard teaching assignment (2-2) includes graduate and undergraduate courses. The MSU German Studies faculty are committed to contributing to all levels of the curriculum from lower-level language courses to graduate seminars as well as the College of Arts & Letters’ general education program (Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities). German Studies courses are typically taught in German and general education courses in English. This appointment will be 100% in the German Studies Program in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures, which is also home to the Linguistics and Applied Linguistics programs.

The successful candidate will join an active research community of engaged scholars in applied and theoretical linguistics in LiLaC and the Department of Romance and Classical Studies. The position comes with opportunities to collaborate with labs in linguistics (https://lilac.msu.edu/linguistics/groups-labs/) and second language studies (https://sls.msu.edu/labs/). Service and community engagement may include involvement in education abroad, collaborations with the Center for Language Teaching Advancement, coordination of the German Language Program, and other German program initiatives. The German Studies Program at MSU prides itself in its collaborative and transdisciplinary program culture and looks forward to the contributions of the successful candidate.

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

Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral degree in German Studies, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, or a related field; preferably degree in hand by Aug. 16, 2025.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in German and English.

Desired Qualifications

• Record of excellence in scholarly work, which may include traditional publications as well as public scholarship and/or applied scholarship.
• Robust intellectual leadership agenda in (applied) linguistics at the intersection of language and culture with a social justice focus.
• Evidence of teaching excellence, and interest in or experience with mentoring/supervision.
• Experience with/interest in education abroad, language program coordination, and/or community engagement.

Required Application Materials

Qualified applicants should submit

1. a cover letter.
2. current curriculum vitae.
3. A 1-page summary of philosophy of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to intellectual leadership in the areas of teaching/curriculum development, research/creative activities, service, outreach, advising, and/or administration. The statement should also include an explanation of related past or planned activities/endeavors as well as how the candidate will advance the goals of inclusive excellence. For more about MSU’s DEI efforts, see https://inclusion.msu.edu/. For more information about writing diversity statements, see https://cal.msu.edu/documents/cal-guidelines-for-the-writing-of-diversity-statements/ 
4. the names and email addresses of 3 potential referees.

Review of these materials will begin on August 25, 2024.

Candidates who are invited for Zoom interviews will be asked to submit

1. a teaching philosophy
2. a research agenda

We expect these materials to be requested by September 15.

Candidates who are being considered for on campus interviews will be asked to submit

1. a sample syllabus
2. a sample publication (article or book/dissertation chapter; if chapter of a monograph/dissertation, a 1-page document contextualizing the chapter should also be submitted)

We expect these materials to be requested by September 30.

The references of candidates who are invited for on campus interviews will be contacted and asked to submit their letters of recommendation. We expect these letters to be requested by October 15.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin August 25, 2024. and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu.

For more information, contact Prof. Senta Goertler, Chair of the Search Committee at goertler@msu.edu.

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.

Review of Applications Begins On

08/25/2024

Website

lilac.msu.edu

Department Statement

The College of Arts & Letters recognizes that only an academic and organizational culture, which actively seeks out and strengthens diverse voices and perspectives among its members results in true excellence. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The College of Arts & Letters is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that intellectual leadership is achieved through open access and pro-active inclusion. 

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.