The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of Intermittent Lecturer to teach one class in the Winter 2027 term. Applications are welcomed and encouraged regardless of background and identity. 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 January 1, 2027.

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.

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.
 

The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan seeks applicants for one part-time lecturer position to teach one course in the Winter 2027 term. The FTE will be 33%.

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 course or something similar:

ENVIRON 400-level - Great Lakes Water Policy and Advocacy (3 credit hours, Full Winter Semester) Description: 

The Great Lakes contain approximately 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater and provide drinking water to more than 40 million people in the United States and Canada. These waters support globally significant ecosystems, regional economies, transportation networks, Tribal treaty rights, recreational opportunities, and the cultural identity of an entire region.

At the same time, the Great Lakes face mounting challenges from climate change, aging infrastructure, pollution, invasive species, emerging contaminants, competing water demands, and persistent environmental inequities.

This course examines how public policy, governance institutions, politics, economics, and advocacy shape the management and protection of Great Lakes water resources. Students will explore the legal frameworks, political dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and decision-making processes that influence water policy outcomes at local, state, federal, Tribal, and binational scales.

Using historical and contemporary case studies-including the Clean Water Act, Great Lakes Compact, Flint Water Crisis, invasive species management, PFAS contamination, Line 5, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-students will analyze how policy decisions are made, why some policy efforts succeed while others fail, and how advocates build coalitions capable of advancing meaningful change.

The course emphasizes professional skill development through policy writing, legislative testimony, opinion and influence writing, coalition-building exercises, and development of a comprehensive Great Lakes advocacy campaign.
 

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, public policy or another sustainability-related discipline OR a Masters Degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience.
   

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring.
• Professional experience in the areas of climate, environment, and/or water policy, design, or advocacy

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

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 September 28, 2026. Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed remotely. We expect to make an offer of employment no later than October 15, 2026. The anticipated start date for this position is January 1, 2027. This appointment will end April 30, 2027.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.