How to Apply
The Program in the Environment (PitE) in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of LEO Intermittent Lecturer to teach our ENVIRON 300-level course on Air Pollution, Public Health, and Environmental Justice in the Winter 2026 term. Applications are welcome and encouraged regardless of background and identity.
To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. In addition, the following materials must be submitted as one PDF document along with your application on the UM Jobs site.
- A cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position and outlines experience that directly relates to this position. The cover letter may be up to two single-spaced pages.
- A statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages).
- Curriculum vitae
- Names of three individuals that can serve as references.
If considered, you will be contacted and interviewed remotely. The start date for this position is expected to be January 1, 2026.
Please contact Nicole Rutherford, [email protected], if you have any questions.
This position is subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement. The full LEO contract can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/contracts
Job Summary
The Program in the Environment (PitE) at the University of Michigan seeks applicants for a 33% FTE intermittent lecturer to teach our ENVIRON 300-level course on Air Pollution, Public Health, and Environmental Justice in Winter 2026. The appointment dates for this position will be 01/01/2026-04/30/2026.
ENVIRON 3XX - Air Pollution, Public Health, and Environmental Justice:
Air pollution is the second-highest risk factor for non-communicable diseases, contributing significantly to the global burden of disease. While mainly preventable, air pollution exposures pose human health risks at multiple spatial scales-from individual homes and workplaces to regional and global geographies-and across various timeframes-from hours to decades. Significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure and human health effects have been identified. In 2025, over 156 million (46%) Americans live in areas that fail to attain health-based standards for ozone and particulate matter.
This course systematically introduces air quality management principles with a public health and equity focus, covering fundamentals of atmospheric science; how air pollution sources contribute to health burdens; the strengths and limitations of policy solutions; and roles for government, industry, and communities in equitably building healthy environments. The course will explore scientific results from authoritative reviews, key laws and policies, as well as practical techniques used by air pollution professionals. Students will learn how air quality management principles shape and enable strategies to maximize the health, energy, economic development, and environmental benefits of air emission reductions.
The course will consist of lectures and in-class active learning practices, homework assignments and mid-term and final projects. The course will be useful for undergraduate students who are contemplating careers in public health, medicine, public policy analysis, environmental management, and law.
This is an Intermittent Lecturer appointment, which is a non-tenure track position and subject to the terms of the LEO bargaining agreement, which can be found at https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/academic-human-resources/contracts
Mission Statement
PitE is an interdisciplinary program that is jointly managed between the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). PitE blends foundational knowledge, skills, and practices from natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities/culture towards an integrated analysis of environmental and sustainability issues facing society at all scales and approaches to address and adapt to the associated challenges.
At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.
To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting (Confirm position is eligible)
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Eligibility for benefits is based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/benefits-enrollment/benefits-enrollment-eligibility.
Responsibilities*
Desired Teaching/ Content Expertise
Our PitE faculty represent a wide range of disciplinary expertise, with many having joint appointments with other units on the University of Michigan campus. For this position, we will consider candidates from a broad range of natural science expertise. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in teaching undergraduate environmental studies courses focused on air pollution, public health, and environmental justice.
Teach ENVIRON 3XX - Air Pollution, Public Health, and Environmental Justice is a three (3) credit hour lecture style course with a capacity of 30-40 students and currently scheduled to meet Monday and Wednesday 1:00-2:30 PM. All courses are expected to be taught in person on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus unless there is a compelling pedagogical reason for remote or hybrid instruction.
The individual will be expected to hold office hours and handle all routine matters related to instruction. While teaching is expected to take place in-person, office hours can be held remotely.
Required Qualifications*
- A PhD in environmental studies or another sustainability-related discipline or a field in the natural sciences, OR a Master's Degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience.
Desired Qualifications*
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
All application materials must be submitted no later than November 30, 2025. Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed remotely shortly after the posting closure date. We expect to make an offer of employment no later than December 10, 2025. The anticipated start date for this position is January 1, 2026.
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 are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Job openings are posted for a minimum of ten calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.