Lecturer

The Department of Sociology at the University of Michigan is one of the premier sociology departments in the world. The goals of the undergraduate program are to instruct students about the value of recognizing and understanding the influence of social environments on individual outcomes and behaviors, to help them acquire different ways of thinking about the social world, and to provide theoretical and empirical frameworks for understanding social institutions and processes of social change. A major hallmark of the department’s curriculum is the opportunities we provide our students to connect their classroom work to practical experience.

The Sociology Department is searching for a full-time lecturer to teach courses on topics related to Race, Social Inequality, and/or the Environment. We are looking for classes in any of the following areas: Social Inequality, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Environmental Sociology. The lecturer should also be prepared to contribute to our introductory curriculum by regularly teaching Introduction to Sociology (a large lecture class of ~300 students).

The lecturer will teach three courses in both the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 semesters. This position is renewable indefinitely, contingent on performance and funding. After eight semesters of appointment and a successful major review, a Lecturer I moves to a Lecturer II title, receiving a significant salary boost and a multi-year contract with presumption of reappointment. Criteria for renewal are continued curricular need, quality of classroom teaching, participation in curriculum development and program activities with classroom teaching receiving the greatest weight. Summer teaching assignments are occasionally available and come with additional compensation.

Responsibilities
The position will teach three courses in Fall 2025 and three courses in Winter 2026, developed in consultation with the Associate Chair and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  

In addition to teaching responsibilities, the instructor will oversee any course Graduate Student Instructor(s), if applicable; hold office hours for students; do course planning and grading; and provide appropriate syllabus and course materials electronically.

The lecturer will also work with the staff in the Undergraduate Office to plan one extracurricular event each semester geared towards our undergraduate students majoring in Sociology with a subplan in Law, Justice, and Social Change. This may involve bringing guest speakers to come to campus (who might also speak in classes, if appropriate), alumni panels, discussions about applying to graduate degree programs, etc.

Required Qualifications   

• Ph.D. in Sociology or a related field
• Experience teaching Sociology courses
• The successful candidate must have cutting edge and contemporary knowledge and experience in teaching in the field.

How To Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. We also require a diversity statement (maximum one page) that includes a discussion of demonstrated or planned activities regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching and mentoring. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please view the posting and submit your application using the careers.umich.edu website: https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/251084/leo-lecturer-i-sociology-fall-2025

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 will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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.

Mission Statement
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 University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by: 

• Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities, or differences. 
• Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.

Selection Process
Review of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Only complete application packets will be reviewed. The hiring decision will be announced within fourteen (14) days after opening has been filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.