University of Michigan Looking for Lecturer III in Technical Communication (to start Fall 2024) Full Time

JOB OPENING ID: 242020

REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular

ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP: College Engineering

DEPARTMENT: CoE Technical Communication

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials to Interfolio (link) by January 16, 2024: 

1. A cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position and outlines how your skills and experience prepare you to teach technical communication to engineering students. 
2. A CV/resume.
3. A list of at least 4 professional references who can speak to your teaching, with contact information (phone and email). 
4. A 1-page teaching statement that includes concrete examples of your pedagogy.
5. A 1-page diversity, equity, and inclusion statement that explains your skills and experience in this area and how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact your teaching and service work.

Finalists will be asked to submit a full portfolio detailing evidence of teaching experience and performance (e.g. course evaluations, sample syllabi, observation records, etc.) for approval by the College of Engineering’s Dean’s Executive Committee.  

Interfolio link: http://apply.interfolio.com/135795 

Summary

The Program in Technical Communication at Michigan Engineering seeks skilled and enthusiastic applicants for three (3) open Lecturer III positions that will begin in Fall 2024.  

Michigan Engineering places special emphasis on the ability of graduates to express themselves and their ideas in a professional and highly successful manner. As such, the TC Program plays a significant role in the delivery of a writing and communication curriculum across the college, with a focus on the first-year, laboratory, and senior design courses. TC faculty integrate written, oral, and visual communication into engineering courses; we also help students learn teamwork and address questions of ethics, equity, and social impact. We regularly team-teach courses with both technical communication and engineering (technical) faculty. Our department employs 34+ faculty and has a vibrant, supportive, people-centered culture.

As a Lecturer III, you would teach sections of both standalone and team-taught technical communication courses, with an initial focus on first-year writing in our team-taught Engineering 100 courses; on intermediate technical communication in TCHNCLCM-300 (our standalone course for Computer Science and Computer/Electrical Engineering majors); and on supporting our embedded curriculum in upper-level disciplinary courses (as needed). In addition to teaching, Lecturer III faculty perform departmental service.

The TC Program offers a range of courses, which can vary in credit hours (1-4 credits) and overall teaching workload (20-50% effort). A full-time, 100% effort Lecturer III appointment aligns with the workload of a traditional 3:3 workload (or equivalent), with roughly 90% teaching effort and 10% service effort.

The initial appointment would be for three years. This is a renewable, promotion-track position: successful candidates are eligible for annual raises and promotion to Lecturer IV (and eventually Teaching Professor), per the terms of the LEO contract. All CoE faculty are reviewed annually.

All job offers are subject to final approval of the College. 

Mission Statement

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation’s number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering’s mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/ 

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/ 

Responsibilities*

Responsibilities of the Lecturer III in the TC Program include, but are not limited to:

Designing and Teaching Technical Communication Courses & Course Content

• Designing technical communication course content for undergraduate courses in the College of Engineering
• Designing courses that follow pedagogic best practices by aligning learning outcomes, assessment methods, and in-class activities
• Designing, preparing, and delivering lectures on communication, teamwork, and ethics
• Creating active-learning lessons on communication, teamwork, and ethics
• Creating online/LMS content (videos, lectures, assessments, activities, etc.) to support student learning
• Evaluating and grading student projects, student papers, and oral presentations
• Providing formative feedback to guide student learning
• Holding office hours

Leading Instructional Teams

• Team-teaching with engineering faculty in disciplinary (technical) undergraduate courses
• Coordinating communication course content with technical course content
• Coordinating/leading communication faculty on interdisciplinary instructional teams
• Leading class meetings and managing weekly meetings of teaching teams
• Preparing course materials and lessons for supporting communication faculty (discussion leaders or communication coaches)
• Maintaining a positive culture and addressing any problems within instructional teams

Participating in Departmental Service 

• Serving on departmental and college-wide committees
• Mentoring new instructors
• Designing and conducting workshop exercises for faculty/peers on pedagogy, active learning, DEIJ, technical communication, teamwork, and ethics topics
• Volunteering for ad hoc service opportunities 
• Self-regulating one’s own service contributions and taking initiative when needed

Required Qualifications*

• Advanced degree in technical communication or related field (e.g. Communication, English, Rhetoric/Composition, Writing Studies, Science Communication, Law, or similar), and/or significant relevant training and experience in technical communication or related field; PhD preferred
• Significant training and experience in the teaching of writing and communication
• Successful teaching experience
• Experience with various technical communication genres (e.g. memos, proposals, reports, posters, instructions, visuals, oral presentations, etc.), such as in academia, industry, or government
• Ability to work effectively with students individually and in course project teams
• Ability to work independently and self-manage complex planning and long-term service and teaching projects
• Ability to self-identify areas for professional growth and self-regulate professional development opportunities
• Ability to teach and work in a multi-disciplinary, team-based environment
• Experience working with scientific/engineering students and/or content a plus, but not required

Additional Information

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall Term 2024, August 26, 2024.

Union Affiliation

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.

Background Screening

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.

Contact Information

For questions, please contact the Chair of the Search Committee at [email protected] 

Application Deadline

LEO 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.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

242020

Working Title

Lecturer III in Technical Communication (to start Fall 2024)

Job Title

LEO Lecturer III

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Engineering

Department

CoE Technical Communication

Posting Begin/End Date

11/15/2023 – 1/16/2024

Career Interest

LEO – Lecturers