Instructor or Assistant Teaching Professor

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Learning and Performance Systems (LPS invites applications for an Instructor or Assistant Teaching Professor position to support its undergraduate programming in Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT) at the University Park campus, and other LPS programs, as needed. Join a collaborative program focused on undergraduate learning design, where you will guide students in connecting learning theory to the creation of effective, technology-enhanced learning environments. Faculty in this role play a central part in mentoring students through applied coursework, as well as support a culminating design capstone that emphasizes the development of job-ready learning design skills. This non-tenure-line position is a 36-week faculty appointment, with the possibility of renewal. It has primary responsibilities in undergraduate teaching.

Faculty in LPS are part of a collegial, student-centered department that prioritizes strong teaching, thoughtful collaboration, and a positive, supportive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach face-to-face and hybrid undergraduate courses in the fall and spring
• Coordinate with LDT faculty, instructional designers, and media specialists to ensure high-quality course development and delivery, accessibility/UDL, media integration, and continuous improvement;
• Led LDT undergraduate minor efforts including supervising undergraduate students;
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with the LPS department head, professor‑in‑charge of the LDT program, faculty colleagues, and department staff to support cohesive and responsive program operations;
• Participate in department and program meetings and events;
• At Assistant Teaching Professor level only: teach online master’s classes and advise master’s or DEd students throughout the program, including capstone completion.

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• At Instructor level: Earned master’s degree in education; learning sciences; educational technologies; learning, design, and technology; or a closely related field
• At Assistant Teaching Professor level: Earned doctorate (PhD or DEd) in education; learning sciences; educational technologies; learning, design, and technology; or a closely related field
• Evidence of excellence, or potential excellence, in undergraduate teaching and inclusive pedagogy
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated strengths in time management, ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, and organization

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with and expertise in learning technologies and / or education design work
• Familiarity with Canvas, teaching quality standards, and program assessment
• Experience designing or revising courses in collaboration with instructional designers and other faculty members
• Understanding of the ethics surrounding the uses and integration of AI in higher education courses
• Evidence of student-centered responsiveness including the ability to provide timely feedback and grading, respond promptly to students, and manage multiple course deadlines in fast paced environments
• At Assistant Teaching Professor level: Supporting teaching assistants and graduate students as instructors

Representative Teaching Portfolio

LDT (examples): Primary: World Technologies and Learning and Making with Art and Learning Technologies. Secondary: Effective Communication and Teaching Strategies for Corporate and Community Educators; Creating Designs for Learning; Advanced Learning Experience Design Lab (minor capstone); Systematic Instructional Development; Gaming to Learn; Educational Technology Integration; Emerging Web Technologies and Learning

Application Instructions

Apply online at hr.psu.edu/careers and upload one PDF containing:

a) Cover letter that clearly identifies the candidate’s qualifications related to the position;
b) Curriculum vitae;
c) Names and contact information for three professional references;
d) Teaching philosophy statement (maximum two single-spaced pages) describing prior teaching and course design experience, LDT program alignment, relevant course expertise, and evidence of teaching effectiveness.

Campus/Unit: College of Education — Department of Learning & Performance Systems (LPS), University Park, PA

Appointment: Instructor or Assistant Teaching Professor (non‑tenure-line), 36‑week; one‑year term with the possibility of renewal based on need, performance, and/or availability of funding. Full University benefits apply.

Work Arrangement: In person.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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