Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Ethics & Technology

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT: English, Philosophy, and Communication Studies
ANTICIPATED START DATE: August 18, 2025

The University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) seeks a dynamic and qualified leader for a tenure-track position with expertise in the area of applied ethics and technology, political philosophy, or philosophy of law. As Wisconsin's Polytechnic, UW-Stout's unique mission prioritizes three educational tenets: applied learning, collaboration via business and industry partnerships and a career-focused education. We seek applicants with a commitment to these tenets that further enhance cross-disciplinary partnerships across the academic colleges and the Universities of Wisconsin, and to join a well-established network through centers such as the Center for Applied Ethics (CAE) and the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation (MCSII). The successful candidate will effectively teach undergraduate courses (face-to-face and online), actively engage in relevant service, and be a productive scholar.

The selected candidate has the opportunity for a partial reassignment and a summer stipend to assist the civil liberty-focused MCSII. MCSII duties may include organizing civil liberty related events and activities; conducting and disseminating civil liberty related research; administering faculty and student research programs; outreach to campus, community, MCSII network partners, non-government organizations, and government officials; creating and managing budget; supervising employees; or other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum / Required

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, or related field by employment start date

Highly Desired/Preferred

• Demonstrated ability to effectively teach introductory applied courses in philosophy such as but not limited to general ethics, logic, business ethics, contemporary ethical issues, environmental ethics, philosophy of religion, and multicultural philosophy  
• Interest or experience in one or more of the following: applied ethics and technology, political philosophy, or philosophy of law 
• Interest or experience in acquiring external funding (grants or gifts)   
• Practical experience with free speech such as addressing free speech complaints, threats, or violations as well as civil liberty policy and enforcements  

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Teach face-to-face and online courses as needed
• Fulfill department, college, and university teaching, research and service expectations aligned with experience and expertise 
• Conduct and disseminate research for academic and non-academic audiences  
• Pursue appropriate professional development and training opportunities  
• Pursue external funding  
• Attend and participate in department, college, and university meetings  
• Provide student academic advisement and conduct assessment of student learning. This includes contributing to academic program assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement processes, in collaboration with faculty and staff.  
• Ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, community members, industry/business partners, state and national organizations.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 

The English, Philosophy, and Communication Studies department offers courses in communication studies, professional/technical writing, English, literature, logic, philosophy, and women and gender studies. Visit our department web site for more information: https://www.uwstout.edu/academics/academic-departments/english-and-philosophy   

MENARD CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF INSTITUTIONS AND INNOVATION INFORMATION

Founded in 2017, MCSII is an externally funded academic center promoting the civil and rational study and discussion of civil liberties.  The non-partisan, non-ideological center organizes and funds speakers, panels, and debates; faculty and student research and internships; reading groups and workshops; conferences and symposia; and more. More information available via https://www.uwstout.edu/csii 

CENTER FOR APPLIED ETHICS

Founded in 2008, the Center for Applied Ethics is an endowed ethics center, devoted to the enhancement of ethical conversations on campus and within the wider community. Its programming includes an Applied Ethics Certificate, a monthly Philosophers' Cafe, invited speakers, debates, and various professional development opportunities. To learn more you can visit our website: https://www.uwstout.edu/directory/center-applied-ethics 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by end of day, December 2, 2024, are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after December 2, 2024, may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs 

Required application materials: 

1. Cover letter (* See below)
2. Curriculum vitae or resume
3. Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references who can speak to your skills and abilities for the position
4. Unofficial copies of transcripts from candidate's highest degree
5. Student success statement: Write a one-page statement demonstrating your commitment to student success, aligned with UW-Stout's polytechnic tenets.
6. Evidence of teaching effectiveness or innovative approaches to teaching, such as a teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, student evaluation summaries, or teaching-related experience. This portfolio should be no more than five (5) pages total.
7. One (1) writing sample of any peer-reviewed publication or article-length work in progress, not to exceed 10,000 words.

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement. Your cover letter should also include relevant information regarding your having any of the highly desired qualifications.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Alexander Bozzo, Assistant Professor
Email: bozzoa@uwstout.edu 

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Diane Duerst, Department Assistant
Email: duerstd@uwstout.edu 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. UW-Stout is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace recognized for market-leading employee benefits and committed to supporting children and families.

• Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf 
• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

UW-Stout is committed to nondiscrimination in its employment practices and to equal employment opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate against, harass or retaliate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (as defined in state and federal law), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, genetic information, arrest record, conviction record, military service, veteran status, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non-working hours, political affiliation, declining to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, honesty testing, or any other category protected by law.  

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.  

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

The University of Wisconsin-Stout does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and for maintaining work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7)

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information 

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW  

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree--they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.  
 
UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 50+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop+ campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages--all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.  

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us 

University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community