Position Announcement – Research Associate

Tanzania Partnership Program  

The College of Education at Michigan State University is seeking applicants for a post-doctoral Research Associate for one year, ideally beginning August 2016 through July 2017, with the possibility of extension through July 2018. Salary is competitive and full benefits are included.

The Research Associate will contribute to the education sector work of the MSU’s Tanzania Partnership Program (TPP) and teach one course per year in the Department of Teacher Education. TPP is an interdisciplinary project that works in two villages in Tanzania to promote integrated and sustainable development. For more information about TPP, see http://casid.isp.msu.edu/pscd/. The researcher will participate in all aspects of ongoing projects related to girls’ education, curriculum development, and teacher professional development. The researcher will take the lead on coordinating and supervising the work of graduate students on these projects. Based on this work, the needs of the project, and their own areas of expertise, the researcher will play a key role in determining and leading the development and implementation of future projects.


This position includes an annual travel budget, to be used for travel related to research and project implementation as well as attending relevant conferences. The researcher will be expected to spend an extended period of time (a minimum of 2 months total) in Tanzania each year to meet with TPP’s Tanzanian partners, conduct research, and implement projects. The timing and length of these trips will be determined based on the needs of the project. The researcher must be willing and able to spend extended periods of time in Tanzania and to work collaboratively with colleagues in Tanzania and at MSU.

Minimal Qualifications: a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Education or a closely related discipline with a focus on Africa; significant experience living, working, and conducting research in Africa; ability to work independently in a developing country context, to forge relationships with colleagues, and to adapt to diverse cultural contexts; demonstrate a record of successful undergraduate-level teaching in topics such as teacher education, curriculum and instruction, or other closely related fields and should be able to teach courses in MSU’s Department of Teacher Education.

Desired Qualifications: expertise in the area of gender and education; experience working, living, and researching in East Africa or Tanzania (we will also consider candidates with expertise and experience in other nations or regions in Africa); strong Swahili language skills; previous experience with teaching, teacher education, curriculum development, and/or project implementation in Tanzania or a related developing country context.

Applications are due June 11, 2016. Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2016. Interested candidates should provide a cover letter stating qualifications for this position in addition to a CV, one writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references. Applicants must apply online at: http://jobs.msu.edu. Please reference job posting #3337.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal-opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.