Assistant Teaching Professor

Worcester Polytechnic Institute•Worcester, MA

1d•$82,500 - $85,000

About The Position

WPI’s Department of Integrative and Global Studies seeks a full-time, secure-contract faculty member at the Assistant Professor level to teach and advise undergraduate interdisciplinary projects. The role prepares students for team-based, off-campus project work, including international projects, through courses covering social science research methods, communication, teamwork, ethical research, and often material related to the project location. Faculty travel with student groups to advise projects at WPI’s domestic and international project centers. They meet regularly with teams during the term before travel to help prepare research proposals, then guide students through research, project development, collaboration, writing, team dynamics, and health and safety. Faculty may also participate in pre-departure training, orientation, department meetings, and service activities. In most cases, projects are co-advised with other faculty. Over time, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to direct an off-campus project center. The Department of Integrative and Global Studies supports WPI’s Global Projects Program, an interdisciplinary, project-based initiative involving collaborative, community-centered research and problem-solving with local and international partners. DIGS faculty also contribute to the Great Problems Seminar, a first-year, campus-based program in which students work in teams on global challenges. Faculty may build research from relationships at project centers, in areas including sustainable food systems, urban planning, innovation and entrepreneurship, conservation, climate resilience, community development, and project-based and community-engaged learning.

Requirements

PhD in a relevant integrative field, such as Anthropology, Geography, History, International Studies or Development, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Human-Centered Design, or Communication.
Experience teaching qualitative social science research methods and conducting applied field research or community engagement.
Experience engaging students in off-campus experiential learning in diverse communities and organizational settings.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues from a variety of disciplines.
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to pivot while guiding students.
Creativity in teaching applied social science methods and collaborative design.
Strong interest in global engagement and experience engaging undergraduates, field professionals, scholars, policymakers, and other community stakeholders.
Demonstrated global and intercultural competency, such as through language or other cross-cultural engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in relevant integrative settings, such as international field schools, experiential or project-based learning, cross-cultural engagement, foreign service, non-profit management, or corporate or public-sector decision making.

Responsibilities

Teach Social Science Research Methods to prepare students for off-campus research and design experiences, using approaches such as lecture, discussion, and active learning.
Guide students in background research, communication, and developing clear research plans for on-site work.
Advise student teams at WPI off-campus project centers for one or two eight-week terms per year.
Support student teams in research, project development, professional collaboration, writing, and navigating team dynamics.
Address student health and safety issues as needed during project advising.
Meet with student teams before travel to help prepare research proposals.
Participate in pre-departure training and orientation activities.
Participate in department meetings and departmental service activities.
Contribute to the department’s undergraduate interdisciplinary projects program and, potentially, the Great Problems Seminar.
Potentially take a leadership role directing an off-campus project center.