About the role
Working/Functional Title
Assistant Professor in Early/Elementary Literacy
Position Summary
Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
The Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University (MSU), a national leader in teacher preparation and research on teaching, teacher learning, curriculum, policy, and international education, seeks a tenure-system scholar in Early/Elementary Literacy. The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community with longstanding strengths in literacy education and opportunities to contribute to innovative research, teaching, and teacher preparation focused on literacy learning and instruction in early childhood and elementary settings.
The Department of Teacher Education offers a rich environment for developing a sustained and nationally significant program of literacy scholarship. We welcome candidates whose research advances understanding of areas such as early and elementary literacy development and instruction, language and literacy, literacy teacher education, literacy assessment, culturally and linguistically diverse learners, family and community engagement in literacy, and related areas of inquiry. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students across literacy education and other areas of teacher education and to engage in interdisciplinary work throughout the College of Education and the broader university.
The department has a longstanding national reputation for excellence in teacher education. Its elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs have been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report and include robust urban and global education experiences that provide opportunities for examining literacy teaching and learning across diverse cultural, linguistic, community, and educational contexts.
At the graduate level, MSU offers multiple pathways for advanced study in literacy. Our online master’s programs provide options for a concentration or specialization in Language and Literacy, as well as Reading Specialist Certification. The department's large and nationally recognized doctoral program provides extensive funding opportunities and prepares students to become accomplished scholars, researchers, and teacher educators, including opportunities to specialize in Language and Literacy Education.
Together, these programs provide the successful candidate with opportunities to teach and mentor preservice teachers, practicing educators, master’s students, and doctoral students while contributing to the continued development of Early/Elementary Literacy as an important area of scholarship, teaching, and service within the Department of Teacher Education.
We are seeking an individual with a strong research program whose scholarship focuses on early/elementary literacy assessment, development, and/or instruction. Applicants should provide evidence of accomplishment in research, teaching, and service. The successful applicant will be expected to seek external research funding and develop research collaborations within and beyond the Department of Teacher Education. We have a particular interest in scholars who specialize in quantitative or mixed methods and foundational reading and writing skills.
Major Responsibilities
- Conducting innovative, rigorous research related to early/elementary reading and writing
- Securing external grants for research and development work
- Teaching undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral courses
- Advising graduate students
- Participating in program or instructional leadership
- Contributing to intra-university or school-university partnerships
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Terminal -doctoral degree in literacy/reading education or a related field
Minimum Requirements
Required Degree: Doctorate. Required Qualifications: An earned doctoral degree in literacy/reading education or a related field. Applicants for the position at should have an earned doctorate in literacy/reading education or a related field, classroom experience teaching early childhood or elementary reading/literacy, a record of publications in highly ranked journals and/or presentations at refereed national or international conferences, a record of successful teaching of preservice and/or in-service teachers, and the potential to seek external funding.
Desired Qualifications
We are particularly interested in scholars who conduct research with diverse populations of learners in early childhood or elementary school settings; have prior experience as an assistant professor; can teach and lead across our undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs; and/or demonstrate potential for local, state, and national service or outreach. Scholars who study foundational reading and writing skills, literacy interventions, technology/AI in literacy education, teacher preparation for literacy, or policy issues in literacy, provided they are focused on the early childhood or elementary level, are encouraged to apply.
Required Application Materials
1. Resume/CV 2. Cover Letter 3. List of Three References 4. Two Examples of Scholarship
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a letter of application (no more than three single-spaced pages in length), curriculum vitae, list of three references, and two examples of scholarship. We invite inquiries from potentially interested candidates to the search committee Co-Chair: Laura Tortorelli (Ltort@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin November 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Please see our department website (www.education.msu.edu/te/) and College website (www.educ.msu.edu/) for information about our program, department and college.
Review of Applications Begins On
11/30/2026
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
education.msu.edu/te/
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.