Assistant Professor, School of Information Sciences, University Library System

Wayne State University•Detroit, MI

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wayne State University is seeking forward-looking candidates for up to two positions at the Assistant Professor rank in the School of Information Sciences (SIS) at its Detroit campus location, to begin in August 2027. These are full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track, academic-year (9-month) faculty positions. Under new leadership and with a new strategic plan underway, the School of Information Sciences invites applications for these positions. We welcome applicants working across various fields including information science, library science, information management, data science, data curation, archives and related fields. We seek scholars whose work advances scholarly agendas in their given fields, complements our faculty’s strengths and extends our School’s expertise into cutting-edge areas. SIS particularly values candidates who conduct high-quality research, who deliver excellent instruction to students and who will continue to advance Wayne State's community engagement mission. Reporting to the Associate Dean of the School of Information Sciences, successful candidates will conduct active research and teach in emerging, cross-disciplinary areas such as: Social/political/ethical issues with emerging technologies such as AI; Youth information/technology needs, uses, and behaviors; Digital asset management and data curation; Health information management and use; Community- and human-centered engagement with emerging technologies. These areas are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Candidates whose research crosses disciplinary boundaries or brings complementary areas of expertise to the School are strongly encouraged to apply. The School seeks candidates whose teaching and research can contribute across multiple curricular areas while expanding SIS expertise in new and emerging fields. We currently offer an MS in Information Science (MSIS), an ALA-accredited Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS), graduate certificates in Archival Administration and Children and Youth Services, the only Michigan School Library Media Endorsement in the state, and joint masters degrees in History and Public History. The MLIS degree at WSU has been accredited continuously by ALA since 1967 and was re-accredited in 2025; the Archival Administration graduate certificate program is celebrating its sixty-fifth anniversary. In addition, we are expanding into undergraduate education. Candidates are expected to teach in an online asynchronous environment and may also be asked to teach in hybrid and/or in-person formats. Tenure-track and tenured SIS faculty typically teach a 2:2 course load and participate in academic advising and mentoring of SIS students.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in information science, library and information science, or relevant related field by the time of appointment
Appropriate professional experience
Demonstrated ability to carry out the range of professional faculty functions including conducting research, teaching students in the MSIS and MLIS programs, serving the School on committees and advising and mentoring students
Highly qualified candidates very near completion of the Ph.D. will receive consideration

Nice To Haves

Ability to produce scholarly research and publication in an appropriate field(s)
Strong potential for national visibility as a scholar
Evidence of professional achievement in an appropriate field
Strong potential for visibility and leadership in the information professions