The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of Intermittent  Lecturer to teach up to two classes in the Fall 2026 term. Applications are welcomed and encouraged regardless of background and identity. Individuals with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are particularly encouraged to apply. To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. The following materials must be submitted as part of the application:  
   

• Cover letter expressing interest in and relevant experience relevant to teaching the course 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy Statement (no more than 2 pages)
• List of at least 3 references including contact information.
• Please use this format to name the file: lastname.firstname.CV.PDF
   

If considered, you will be contacted and interviewed remotely. The start date for this position is expected to be August 25, 2026.
 

Please contact Nicole Rutherford, nicolmba@umich.edu, if you have any questions.
 

This position is subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement. The full LEO contract can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/sites/default/files/um-leo-agreement-2021-2024-final.pdf.

The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan sees applicants for one part-time lecturer position to teach up to two courses in the Fall 2026 term. Depending on the number of courses the final candidate teaches, the FTE will be between 33%-66%
 

This is an Intermittent Lecturer appointment, which is a non-tenure track position and subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement, which can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/contracts.

Specifically, the successful candidate will be prepared to teach the following courses or something similar:

ENVIRON 321 - Climate Change and Adaptation (3 credit hours, Full Semester)
Description: Climate change is no longer a distant and abstract threat but a present and lived reality. Unaddressed, it will continue to wreak havoc on the systems necessary for human survival, with the greatest burdens most often falling on already vulnerable populations. While there is reason to hope that the worst possible impacts of climate change can still be avoided by transforming our global energy system, societies must also begin to prepare for changes that are already underway. Preparing for climate change requires understanding the complexities of an increasingly volatile planet, implementing steps that can reduce harm or increase benefits, and learning from those efforts to continuously improve. All this must be done in the context of political and economic systems that are ill-equipped to facilitate the kind of equitable, swift, long-term efforts that an effective response to climate change demands.

This course will apply the lens of social science to provide students with a thorough grounding in the field of climate change adaptation. In examining the social dimensions of climate change, the course will introduce students to the key concepts and areas of knowledge related to climate impacts, vulnerability and resilience, historical human adaptations to climate variability, changes, and impacts, and future adaptation needs. In particular, the course will identify the major areas in which coordinated efforts by governments, civil society organizations, researchers, and market actors can successfully prepare for different scenarios of climate change impacts. In addition to providing a strong knowledge base on climate change adaptation, the course will include a series of guest speakers and practice-relevant assignments aimed at helping students prepare to be adaptive and effective leaders wherever their future career paths may take them.

ENVIRON 112 - Climate and Humankind (1 credit, Half Term taught up to two times in the term)
Description: A short, half-term lecture course covering topics including weather, climate factors, and climate. This mini-course will explore how climate change and humans have influenced
each other through time. Topics will include the effects of climate on human evolution,
civilizations, the spread of diseases, and migration. We will also cover the human impact on
climate and the Anthropocene.
 

PitE is an interdisciplinary program that is jointly managed between the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). PitE blends foundational knowledge, skills, and practices from natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities/culture towards an integrated analysis of environmental and sustainability issues facing society at all scales and approaches to address and adapt to the associated challenges.
 

At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education, and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.
 

To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values. 
 

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include: 
 

• Generous time off 
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Long-term disability coverage 
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Eligibility for benefits is based on your job group, your appointment percentage, and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/benefits-enrollment/benefits-enrollment-eligibility
 

Desired Teaching/ Content Expertise
 

Our PitE faculty represent a wide range of disciplinary expertise, with many having joint appointments with other units on the University of Michigan campus. For this position, we will consider candidates from a broad range of environmental and climate studies.  All courses are expected to be taught in person on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus unless there is a compelling pedagogical reason for remote or hybrid instruction.
 

In addition to teaching one course, the selected individuals will be expected to hold office hours and handle all routine matters related to instruction.  While teaching is expected to take place in person, office hours can be held remotely
 

A PhD in environmental studies or another sustainability-related discipline, or a Master's Degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience.

Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

All application materials must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026. Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed remotely. We expect to make an offer of employment no later than April 30, 2026. The anticipated start date for this position is August 25, 2026. This appointment will end on December 31, 2026.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Job openings are posted for a minimum of ten calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended. 

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.