W.K. Kellogg Foundation Endowed Prof
The Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) invite applications for a full-time 12-month tenured W.K. Kellogg Foundation Endowed position with research teaching and service/outreach assignment. The successful candidate will negotiate a joint appointment among the Department of Philosophy and one or more of the 12 units within CANR. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16 2026.
We seek an internationally known scholar who has made outstanding contributions as a researcher teacher and thought leader in philosophical ethics as it relates to agriculture food systems sustainability resilience and community. Scholars working in areas of environmental justice and climate change agricultural (or animal and/or land) bioethics food sovereignty health disparities food justice and similar fields are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate should also be positioned to be a leader in MSUs new Ethics Institute as that initiative unfolds.
Position duties include but are not limited to:
Providing leadership to a campus-wide program in ethics as it relates to agriculture food systems sustainability resilience and community.
Actively supervising Masters and PhD students in the departments where appointed.
Promoting awareness/outreach among undergraduate students and community stakeholders concerning the need to address ethical issues as they arise in the context of agriculture sustainability food systems and across rural-urban life.
Developing a cohesive research program to advance scholarly understanding in agricultural ethics which will contribute to practical application and to expand into areas of ones specialization. The individuals research and outreach program will result in scholarly output published in international national and regional journals and reports and support the Universitys mission and interests.
Conducting collaborative interdisciplinary work with other faculty in related areas of applied and practiced ethics (e.g. bioethics land ethics) and securing grant funding to support such efforts.
Contributing to the ethics training of students at the undergraduate and graduate level.
The Department of Philosophy
The Department of Philosophys distinctive brand is Engaged Philosophy which aims to expand philosophys traditional agenda making the field more richly responsive to the multitude of voices and values in human communities engaging philosophical reflection with the problems and resources of other disciplines and grappling with pressing problems both theoretical and practical. Diversifying the profession is an aim articulated in the mission statement of the Department. Faculty are teaching and doing research in areas of philosophy that concern diverse populations including African American philosophy feminist theory environmental justice and social justice. Since 1998 the Department has exemplified Engaged Philosophy by striving to achieve national and international distinction in research and graduate education in three related areas: Bioethics/PHL of Healthcare and Medicine Feminist thought (e.g. in Bioethics Epistemology and Social and Political Philosophy) and since 2011 Environmental Philosophy and Ethics. We are especially welcoming to interdisciplinary transdisciplinary and crossdisciplinarity researchers and to inclusive frameworks that support a pluralistic conception of philosophical practice.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The first and largest college at MSU with 12 academic units CANR has a well-established national and international reputation for innovative research education Extension and outreach. The mission of the CANR is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Michigan and the world by advancing knowledge for the management of communities and agriculture natural resources and food systems to meet diverse human needs in a sustainable manner. This mission will be accomplished through learning discovery and engagement. As a community the CANR values: scholarship; providing service to others; cultivating and maintaining partnerships; balance among teaching research and Extension activities; a diversity of research programs ranging from fundamental studies to those addressing applied problems; promoting excellence and valuing academic freedom diversity equity and inclusion; accountability to meet the mission and programmatic priorities; and the tradition of the land-grant mission upon which MSU was founded.
Established in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station MSU AgBioResearch (ABR) funds fundamental and applied research for nearly 300 scientists in six MSU colleges including many in CANR. ABR scientists work to advance healthy and resilient agriculture and food systems natural resources and communities throughout Michigan and beyond.
Michigan State University Extension enjoys strong connections to CANR and improves lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues needs and opportunities. Extension Educators collaborate with on-campus faculty members by taking the science expertise programs and resources of a great land-grant university to all residents of the state of Michigan and beyond.
Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing MI USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic residential college and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars athletes and artists and scientists that provide regional national and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in addition consistent with its Land Grant origins the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food energy water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas.
The campus is located in the city of East Lansing adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA andprovides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families both inside and outside the University and respects all family forms. Information about MSUs dual career support can be found at Information about WorkLife at MSU can be found at Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin citizenship age disability or protected veteran status. Doctorate -Humanities Qualified applicants should submit: letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position and research outreach / Extension and teaching philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position current curriculum vitae statement of leadership philosophy that highlights your experience and alignment with our desired qualifications (2-page maximum) the names and email addresses of 3 potential referees (please fill out the initial application with these names and emails) Review of applications will begin November 30 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website . Posting number. For more information contact Matt Ferkany Chair of the Search Committee at 11/30/2025 Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.Required Degree
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