Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Digital Humanities Research Coordinator

Position Summary

The College of Arts & Letters (CAL) at Michigan State University seeks a Digital Humanities Research Coordinator 1) to oversee and promote Digital Humanities (DH)-based research within CAL and 2) to connect the College with other units on campus that engage in/support DH, digital history, and digital scholarship. This is a full-time 12-month position for a one-year period with the possibility of renewal.

The Digital Humanities Research Coordinator will dedicate 90% of their time to research coordination and 10% to teaching within DH@MSU, which facilitates collaboration among the digital centers, labs, programs, and projects at MSU. As the lead DH research facilitator in the College, the successful candidate will support and amplify DH research within CAL and foster DH-related collaborations across MSU. They will also consult in varying capacities with research and infrastructure support networks and fellowships. The scope of this position includes research support for project planning, maintenance, and sunsetting of DH-based projects in CAL. The remaining time will be dedicated to teaching one course per year in the Digital Studies in the Arts and Humanities Minor (https://digitalhumanities.msu.edu/minor).

We seek candidates with integrity and a strong work ethic, who possess an understanding of what it takes to continuously improve and maintain research projects within a major academic research institution. We seek someone with the ability to collaborate and expand their technical skill set in creative ways. 

As an institution, our compensation philosophy is to be market competitive and internally equitable. The minimum salary range is $62,000 for this position. However, a final determination regarding salary will be made considering the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Activities of the Research Coordinator

• Serve as Core Faculty in the DH@MSU community
• Build connections and infrastructure for DH research and digital scholarship within the College and across the University
• Work with research networks (Digital Scholarship and Practice Network, Research Facilitators Network) to coordinate and advocate for research support on campus
• Consult and support CAL faculty and graduate students on DH-based projects
• Collaborate with the MSU Libraries Digital Scholarship Lab by participating in consultations with faculty and students on digital project and methods and co-facilitating joint programs, such as the Project Incubator and Graduate Arts Fellowship
• Lead training and fellowship programs for faculty and graduate students in developing their online presence
• Serve on the team running the MSU Domains Initiative (Reclaim Hosting)
• Teach one credit-bearing course in the Digital Studies undergraduate and/or Digital Humanities graduate program
• Opportunity to supervise student internships in Digital Humanities projects
• Work with the current DH Outreach and Engagement team to disseminate DH-based research to the public

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

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate Degree - MA, MLS, MFA, PhD, or similar
• Experience engaging in digital humanities research
• Ability to translate research and methods across disciplines in and beyond the arts and humanities 
• Ability to work independently and collaborate across programs with interdisciplinary, cross-institutional teams

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with faculty and students in developing, launching, managing, and/or sunsetting digital humanities projects
• Experience/understanding of the data and technical needs required for digital humanities work
• Knowledge of WordPress and experience training people to use WordPress
• Experience teaching in a university context, preferably in the digital humanities, whether credit- or non-credit bearing
• Grant writing experience
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in building inclusive environments

Required Application Materials

Qualified applicants should submit:

First Round (due at time of application):

• a cover letter
• current curriculum vitae
• A 1-page summary of your 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 our 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/ 

Second Round (requested prior to on-campus interviews):

• 1- to 2-page research statement/statement of research coordination experience
• 1-page statement of teaching philosophy
• The names and email addresses of 3 potential references

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2025 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. Posting number 1005208.

For more information, contact Matthew Handelman, Interim Director of DH@MSU and Chair of the Search Committee at handelm@msu.edu.

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

Review of Applications Begins On

01/06/2025

Website

https://digitalhumanities.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. 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.