Assistant Professor - PreK-12 Science Education

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27030

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Ann Ellsworth

1. 994-5793

[email protected]

Classification Title

Working Title Assistant Professor - PreK-12 Science Education

Brief Position Overview

The Assistant Professor of PreK-12 Science Education is a tenure-track, academic-year appointment with potential for summer employment. The successful candidate will develop a well-articulated research agenda in science education, maintain a commitment to scholarly productivity, and teach undergraduate and graduate students representing varied backgrounds and perspectives.

The successful candidate will integrate research, teaching, outreach, and service; build collaborative relationships with PreK-12 schools, educators, and communities; contribute to the University’s land-grant mission; and provide service to the program, department, college, University, and professional communities.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Tenure Track Faculty

Position Number 4A3163

Department Education

Division College of Education, Health & Human Development

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Academic Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Assistant Professor of PreK-12 Science Education is a tenure-track, academic-year appointment with potential for summer employment. The successful candidate will develop a well-articulated research agenda in science education, maintain a commitment to scholarly productivity, and teach undergraduate and graduate students representing varied backgrounds and perspectives.

The successful candidate will integrate research, teaching, outreach, and service; build collaborative relationships with PreK-12 schools, educators, and communities; contribute to the University’s land-grant mission; and provide service to the program, department, college, University, and professional communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach approximately 15 credits per academic year of undergraduate and graduate courses, including elementary (K–8) and secondary (5–12) science methods courses. Additional teaching assignments may include graduate courses in quantitative research methods, curriculum and instruction, and other courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs. Responsibilities may also include supervision of clinical experiences

• Chair and serve on master’s and doctoral committees

• Conduct research and publish in appropriate sources

• Supervise field experiences, as needed

• Provide service to the department, college, university, and field

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Doctoral degree in science education, curriculum and instruction, teaching and learning, education, or a closely related field, with a scholarly emphasis in science education. ABD candidates will be considered if they have a defense date scheduled.

• Evidence of an established or emerging program of research in science education, teacher education, or a closely related area.

• Experience teaching in PreK-12 settings or comparable professional experience working directly with PreK-12 students, teachers, schools, or science education programs.

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary PreK-12 science education standards and frameworks, including the Next Generation Science Standards.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience teaching undergraduate or graduate science education courses.

• Experience using instructional technologies and teaching in online, hybrid, or technology-enhanced learning environments.

• Experience using or teaching qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, design-based, or other methodologies relevant to science education research.

• Experience advising or mentoring undergraduate or graduate students in science teacher preparation, educational research, or field-based learning.

• Experience developing grant proposals or participating in funded projects.

• Experience with rural, place-based, or place-responsive education, particularly through partnerships with schools and communities.

• Demonstrated experience supporting a spectrum of learning environments and working effectively with students, educators, colleagues, schools, or communities representing varied backgrounds and perspectives.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Develop and sustain a productive program of scholarship in science education.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in science education and related areas.

• Advise and mentor students in teacher preparation and graduate programs.

• Build collaborative relationships with PreK-12 schools, educators, and communities.

• Integrate research, teaching, outreach, and service in support of the University’s land-grant mission.

• Work professionally and effectively with individuals representing varied backgrounds and perspectives.

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Contribute positively to student success and to the missions of the program, department, college, and University.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The position offers opportunities to collaborate with centers and initiatives that connect science education, STEM learning, educator professional development, and educational research. The Science Math Resource Center, housed in the Department of Education, advances science and mathematics teaching and learning through professional development for PreK-12 educators in tribal, rural, and urban communities, educational research, and statewide STEM programming. The Montana Engineering Education Research Center provides an additional interdisciplinary setting for empirical research focused on improving engineering education across levels from PreK-12 through graduate education. These and other university partnerships may support collaborative research, outreach, grant development, and engagement with schools and communities across Montana.

The Department

The Department of Education is located in the College of Education, Health and Human Development at Montana State University. The department prepares professional educators and administrators through campus-based and distance-delivered programs, field experiences, and partnerships with schools. Its faculty contribute to Montana and the broader education community through teaching, research, outreach, and service. Program areas include Curriculum and Instruction, Adult and Higher Education, and Educational Leadership, with undergraduate and graduate opportunities that support teacher preparation, advanced professional learning, and educational research.

The College

Montana State University is a land-grant university located in Bozeman, Montana. The University integrates teaching, research, outreach, and service and provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across academic programs, research centers, and community partnerships. The successful candidate will join a university community committed to student learning, scholarly inquiry, and engagement that serves Montana and beyond.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date 08/2027

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 30, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.