Faculty Opportunities

The list of faculty opportunities for leadership, service, or teaching will be posted here when they are announced.

Current opportunities

Assistant Director Office of Faculty Development

Assistant Director for Office of Faculty Development

The Office of Faculty Development seeks applications for an Assistant Director focused on AI initiatives in teaching and research to begin Spring, 2026.

Job Description

Assistant Directors in the Office of Faculty Development create and implement university-wide programming that supports best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment; pedagogical innovation across modalities (i.e. face-to-face, blended, fully online); research, scholarship and creative activity; and professional development opportunities for all faculty.

This AD position will have a specialized focus leading and supporting AI initiatives in teaching and research. This role will play a critical part in advancing the integration of artificial intelligence across academic programs and research projects, and the AD is expected to develop programs that will attract faculty from a wide spectrum of disciplines, working closely with faculty, staff, and external partners. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in AI, a passion for innovation in higher education, and the ability to drive interdisciplinary collaboration. Assistant Directors meet regularly with the OFD Director and Advisory Board to develop new initiatives, increase attendance and retention at OFD events, and evaluate program efficacy. Assistant Directors serve a two-year term.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a portfolio focused on integrating AI initiatives in teaching and research;
Develop at least 4 programs/workshops per semester specific to AI;
Work with OFD staff and CITS Instructional Development team to plan an annual conference on current issues in pedagogy and higher education;
Work with OFD Director on program initiatives that support the OFD’s mission and meet changing needs of faculty;
Work with OFD Director to develop and update OFD website;
Work with OFD Administrative Assistant to promote and publicize events;
Hold 2 weekly office hours in the Office of Faculty Development;
Other duties as assigned.

Compensation

Course release for one semester per academic year or comparable stipend. Support for professional development related to OFD work will also be provided, as will workspace in the Office of Faculty Development.

Eligibility

Candidates must be tenure-track or tenured faculty members, must have demonstrable experience working with and using AI in teaching and/or research, a successful research and publication record, experience teaching in a range of instructional modalities, and a strong record of college and/or university service. Applicants should also have a record of participation in and/or development of OFD programming. Interested applicants should discuss their application with their department chairperson and dean prior to submitting an application.

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and a brief statement of support from your department chair to provost@umassd.edu. The deadline for application is 5 pm on Monday, December 22, 2025. Questions should be directed to Dr. Michael Sheriff, OFD Director, at msheriff@umassd.edu.

Call for Directors: Interdisciplinary Minors in Aging & Health, Leadership & Civic Engagement, and Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

The Provost’s Office is committed to innovative, interdisciplinary education, and I recognize the essential place of interdisciplinary minors at UMass Dartmouth. These programs offer students the opportunity to make vital connections across fields, preparing them to address the complex challenges of our time with creativity, ethical insight, and critical thinking.

In the interest of transparency and equitable opportunity, we are committed to posting all such leadership openings on a regular basis, so that all faculty have the opportunity to apply and engage in interdisciplinary academic leadership. As such, we will regularly be posting calls for director positions for interdisciplinary minors.

We are currently seeking faculty directors for three of our interdisciplinary minors: Aging and Health, Leadership and Civic Engagement, and Sustainability. Faculty directors play a crucial role in stewarding the academic integrity of these programs, mentoring students, and helping shape their growth and impact. If you are passionate about any of these areas and are interested in leading one of these minors, please send an expressions of interest, including a brief statement of your experience and vision for the minor, along with your current CV to the Provost’s Office provost@umassd.edu by 4:00 pm on 12/22/25. Additionally, emails or memos of support from the department chair and the dean should accompany the application.

More information about the duties for interdisciplinary minor directors and compensation for this role is available below.

Minor directors shall be appointed for a term of three years. The primary responsibilities of interdisciplinary minor Directors are listed below.

Raise awareness of the minor and recruit students;
Ensure representation of the minor at relevant recruiting events such as open houses and admitted students days;
Advise students who are minoring in the program;
Complete degree certifications for graduating minors;
Work with participating faculty and departments to ensure adequate course offerings and seat capacity within classes that will provide for timely minor completion;
Work with the minor’s advisory board to evaluate the curriculum and revise the curriculum as needed;
Work with the minor’s advisory board to create and host events that encourage engagement related to the minor.

Compensation for interdisciplinary minors will follow the following guidelines:

Interdisciplinary minor Directors will be provided $1,500 of professional development funds. These funds will have to be utilized by the end of fiscal year deadlines and may not be carried over into future academic years.
Directors of minors with at least 30 students enrolled and at least 8 graduated students in the previous years will be granted one course release in a future academic year. Official counts for the minor will be run on March 1st to determine whether a minor director is eligible for a course release.
In exchange for this compensation, the minor director should prepare a brief (1-2 page) report on minor director activities and accomplishments; this report will be due by the end of May in each year of the appointment.

Past opportunities

The Office of Faculty Development seeks applications for one (1) Assistant Director position to begin Spring 2025

Assistant Director – Office of Faculty Development (Spring 2025)

The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) seeks applications for one Assistant Director position to begin in Spring 2025.

Job description

The ideal candidate will have a successful record of research and publication, teaching, and university service. They will develop programs that will attract faculty from a wide spectrum of disciplines and promote intellectual community and engagement. Assistant Directors meet regularly with the OFD Director and Advisory Board to develop new initiatives, increase attendance and retention at OFD events, and evaluate program efficacy. Assistant Directors serve a two-year term.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a portfolio focused on Scholarly Success and Development
Develop at least 4 programs/workshops per semester that support faculty research and scholarship across disciplines
Work with OFD staff and CITS Instructional Development team to plan an annual conference on current issues in pedagogy and higher education
Work with OFD Director on program initiatives that support the OFD’s mission and meet changing needs of faculty
Work with OFD Director to develop and update OFD website
Work with OFD Administrative Assistant to promote and publicize events;
Hold 2 weekly office hours in the Office of Faculty Development
Other duties as assigned.

Compensation

Eligibility

Candidates must be tenure-track or tenured faculty members, must have a successful research and publication record, experience teaching in a range of instructional modalities, and a strong record of college and/or university service. Applicants should also have a record of participation in and/or development of OFD programming. Preferred qualifications include managing a research laboratory, including having received extramural funding and mentoring graduate students.

Preferred specializations include sciences (including SMAST), engineering, and nursing and health sciences. Interested applicants should discuss their application with their department chairperson and dean prior to submitting an application.

To apply

Submit a letter of interest, CV, and statement of support from your department chair to Ellen Mandly, OFD Administrative Assistant by Monday, March 10, 2025, at 5pm. Questions may be directed to Dr. Michael Sheriff, OFD Director.

Career Curriculum Development Committee

The Provost Office was recently awarded a planning grant from the Davis Educational Foundation to convene a faculty group to develop a curriculum that supports students' career planning and preparation and to support faculty professional development in instruction for this area. In conjunction with the Career Center, Associate Provosts Sarah Cosgrove and Shannon Jenkins are seeking applications from faculty who are interested in contributing to this work.

Project description

During the preliminary phase of this project, the Committee will explore different models of career curricula and determine an approach for our institution. The work of the Committee will be supported by the consultants from the Career Leadership Collective. In May 2025, we will convene two preliminary meetings to introduce the committee to the project and our consultant.

In early June, a select group of committee members will have the opportunity to attend the National Association of Colleges and Employers Annual Conference in Philadelphia from June 9th to 11th to learn about best practices in career education.

We will hold a one-day retreat in late June/early July with the full committee and our consultant to focus on developing career learning outcomes, exploring best practices in career curriculum, and reviewing career curriculum and faculty development models. We aim to create a plan to integrate career learning outcomes into the UMass Dartmouth curriculum. Research suggests career curriculum is most effective when faculty and staff are empowered with the tools and training to deliver this curriculum, so developing a faculty and staff professional development plan will be another key deliverable for this project.

Eligibility and Application Process

All full-time faculty are eligible to apply. Work on this committee will commence in May, and some summer work will be expected. In exchange for summer work, faculty will earn a $2,000 stipend. Faculty who are interested in participating should submit a CV and a brief statement of their interests and qualifications by 5pm on April 25th to provost@umassd.edu.

Provost Leadership Fellows Program

The Office of the Provost is deeply committed to cultivating a diverse and talented cadre of faculty leaders through intentional career development and experiential learning opportunities. The Provost Leadership Fellows (PLF) program is designed to nurture the next generation of academic leaders at UMass Dartmouth by providing a distincrtive, immersive experience in university governance and strategic academic administration.

Recognizing the critical need for informed, visionary leadership across all institution levels— from department chairs and faculty senators to deans and senior administrators—this initiative offers Fellows a unique platform to engage meaningfully with institutional priorities while expanding their administrative acumen and developing a leadership portfolio.

Working in close collaboration with senior academic leaders, each Fellow will coordinate a cross-campus initiative that aligns with the university’s strategic goals. Fellows will be mentored by members of the Provost’s leadership team and integrated into the daily operations of Academic Affairs, where they will gain first-hand exposure to the complex dynamics of academic governance, strategic planning, budgeting, and the evolving landscape of higher education.

Benefits to fellows

Participants in the program will:

Broaden their institutional perspective by engaging directly with senior administrators, gaining insight into the decision-making processes that shape academic policy and strategy.
Refine their leadership skills through structured mentorship and project-based learning that develops core competencies in collaboration, communication, and systems thinking.
Gain administrative experience that prepares them for future leadership roles, from department chair to senior academic appointments.
Make a tangible impact by leading high-visibility projects that advance the university’s mission in areas such as Faculty Development, Student Success, and Academic Policy.
Expand their professional network across disciplines and divisions, building lasting relationships with faculty leaders and administrative colleagues.

The program is ideal for faculty who wish to explore or pursue administrative leadership while continuing to contribute to the institution's academic vitality.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all full-time faculty who have been promoted to associate professor/associate teaching professor or beyond with at least five years of service at the university. Fellows will be selected based on their demonstrated ability or potential to provide collaborative and aspirational leadership, contribute to initiatives and projects of institutional importance and aligned with the strategic roadmap, effectively navigate cross-divisional relationships, and contextualize their work through a broad institutional perspective.

Nominations

A nomination is required. Self-nominee applications will be strengthened with support letters from those in leadership positions, such as chair, senate president, associate dean, dean, etc. A select group of nominees will be asked to submit an application, including a statement summarizing their Fellowship goals and a current curriculum vitae. The application should have the approval of the department chair and dean.

The deadline for nominations is April 18th by 5:00 p.m. Applications are due by 5pm. May 5th. Nominations and applications should be submitted via email to provost@umassd.edu.

Compensation and Term of Appointment

Provost Leadership Fellows will begin work in June before their academic year fellowship begins. The PLFs will work with the Provost’s office to develop a project with clear deliverables. Compensation will include a $5,000 stipend for the summer and a course release each semester. Fellows will work with their mentor to develop the project proposal and deliverables and a schedule for the project work during the summer. The time commitment during the academic year will be commensurate with a course release each semester (20% of their time or one day a week).