In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must apply to this posting through this website (all documents must be uploaded as one document).  Please include a cover letter of introduction explaining your qualifications and teaching philosophy, a current CV, and evidence of teaching excellence.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and the Organizational Studies Program at the University of Michigan invite applications for an LEC I position at .50% effort for the Fall Term 2026.  This appointment is scheduled to begin on August 31, 2026 and end on December 31, 2026. The unit aims to fill the opening with either a lecturer or a graduate student serving as a GSI.

Duties of this LEC I positions are expected to include support of the main instructor teaching ORGSTUDY 410, teaching, developing course materials, evaluating and grading students, and holding regularly scheduled office hours (see a more detailed description of the course and a list of responsibilities below). A typical full-time (100% effort) load for a Lec I position in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is three courses per semester.  

Individual with a completed Masters or PhD in sociology, psychology, or related social science or professional field.  Must have training in social science research methods, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Experience in project-based classes preferred.  Work experience in project or consulting-based work is also preferred.  Must demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ability to respond quickly to student and instructor requests.

Someone with experience and comfort working with focal organizations of different types (eg. businesses, non-profits, etc.); work experience in consulting, management, or education; and experience with field research in organizations. Someone who enjoys teaching, who likes undergraduate students, and who has good interpersonal and communication skills. 

Advanced Research Methods in Organizational Studies (OS 410) is a capstone course taken by each cohort of OS majors in their senior year.  The enrollment is approximately 50 students. The course combines a basic research methods course with a hands-on learning experience that requires students to work in teams to study an organization in the Ann Arbor area.
The lecturer would be responsible for attending lectures, preparing for and holding a 1-hour weekly section for all 50 students, holding office hours, answering emails, meeting with the primary instructor on a weekly basis, preparing for section, and grading student work.  There are 15 graded assignments for this course, some submitted by each student individually, others are team submissions.  Because each assignment builds on the ones preceding it, it is imperative that students receive detailed, qualitative feedback on all the work they submit.
Course Title(s): ORGSTUDY 410 Advanced Research Methods

Course Objectives: This course focuses on the use of social science research methods to study organizations, organizational processes, and organizational behavior. The course provides an introduction to interview, observational, and survey methods, while also highlighting data analysis and communication skills. The primary purpose of the class is to provide you with an actionable toolkit of research methods that can be used to uncover organizational challenges and recommend
potential changes. The secondary purpose of the class is to make you a more informed consumer of
Research.

This hands-on course emphasizes learning by doing. Students will learn how to conduct organizational research from start to finish. Teams of students will be charged with finding a focal organization and carrying out a field research project there. I expect that each project will provide students with an opportunity to experience an in-depth study that includes utilizing appropriate interview, observational, and survey data collection techniques; planning and conducting data analysis; interpreting data; and communicating the results in written and oral presentations. Class sessions will be a mix of lecture, discussion, and team-based activities.

Readings will provide students with an overview of a variety of scientific research methods, as well as introductions to some excellent and not-so- excellent examples of these methods in action. The assignments have been designed to help develop research skills and apply them to a field research project. Fridays will provide an opportunity to dive deeper into topics introduced earlier in the week, as well as for teams to move their projects forward.

The primary goals of this course are to:

• Develop and enhance a personal toolkit of actionable knowledge and skills.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the process of conducting social scientific research in
  organizations.
• Complete a field research project that will have a positive impact on students and the focal
  organizations.
   

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.

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.

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.

Questions about applying for this position can be emailed to: lisafein@umich.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Deadline for applications is June 1, 2026.  The anticipated date by which an offer will be made is no later than August 2, 2026.  The appointment opportunity described in this posting is subject to final approval by the academic unit.

The selection criteria used for this search is based on how the applicants education and experience meets the required minimum qualifications for the position.  Excellence in teaching and instruction will be the principal criteria used to select the successful candidate.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.