Assistant Professor of Philosophy

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences do not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado's extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students.

The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. As a university community, we are proud to have earned the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and to work at the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values:Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Department of Philosphy

Offering over sixty classes a semester with twelve full-time faculty and two full-time staff, the MSU Denver Department of Philosophy is an active, vibrant department of dedicated teacher-scholars. We are committed to both freedom of inquiry and the value of truth. Our mission is to build ongoing conversations with our students and our community about the nature and meaning of human existence in a rigorous, critical, and open-ended manner. Our department offers a BA in Philosophy and minors in both Philosophy and Religious Studies. Our department also serves as the home for the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry, which partners with the city's vibrant cultural, artistic, and intellectual institutions for events that stimulate dialogue about human thought and culture.

Position Summary

The Department of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites applications for a tenure-track position at Assistant Professor rank. This is a nine-month faculty contract beginning Fall 2027. This position requires presence in Colorado on MSU Denver's Auraria campus for in-person teaching and other activities. The department also offers an online Philosophy major, and faculty who wish to do so are typically able to teach one or two online classes each semester.

Areas of Specialization: Open.

Area of Competence: Philosophy of Law, plus the ability to teach at least two of the following courses: PHI1060 Ethics in Medicine and Science, PHI1110 Language, Logic, and Persuasion, PHI2040 Philosophy of Religion, PHI3010 History of Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, and Christian Voices, PHI3360 Business Ethics, and PHI3370 Computers, Ethics, and Society. Experience or aptitude with public-facing humanities work and with course development are also assets.

Department courses currently cap enrollment at 26 students and our upper division classes usually have 10-20 students. The successful candidate will be expected to teach General Studies courses as well as upper-division courses in their areas of competence, advise and mentor undergraduate students, engage in scholarly activities, and provide service to the department and to the college, university, or profession.

The Department is composed of dedicated teacher-scholars and is looking for applicants whose research agenda actively informs their teaching. During the first year, the successful candidate will receive 3-6 credits of reassigned time for participation in the MSU Denver Roadrunner Faculty Academy, a year-long course designed to support new faculty, and for work on course development. Faculty can also choose to participate in university programs that help new faculty connect with diverse affinity groups and networks offering additional mentorship opportunities. Faculty receive annual professional development funding to support research and conference travel.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Teaching 24 credit hours (or equivalent) per academic year (the department offers both 3 and 4 credit courses, so faculty typically teach between six and eight courses a year), teaching upper-division courses in their areas of competence as well as General Studies courses that serve the university
• Advising students
• Participating in course and program development
• Engaging in scholarly activities
• Providing service to the department and to the college, university, or profession

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Philosophy. We welcome ABD candidates, provided the doctoral degree is conferred by the start of the Fall 2027 semester in August.
• Teaching competence in the Philosophy of Law and an ability to teach at least two of the following courses: PHI1060 Ethics in Medicine and Science, PHI1110 Language, Logic, and Persuasion, PHI2040 Philosophy of Religion, PHI3010 History of Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, and Christian Voices, PHI3360 Business Ethics, and PHI3370 Computers, Ethics, and Society

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of excellence in undergraduate teaching
• Evidence of scholarly activities and an ongoing research agenda
• An ability to teach and develop courses in one or more of the following areas: East Asian Philosophy, Philosophy of Race, Environmental Ethics, or Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Gender
• Experience or demonstrated aptitude with public-facing humanities work
• Experience with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse urban student population including (but not limited to) students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, students with disabilities, LGBTQIA+students, undocumented students, non-traditional students, student veterans, and English language learners

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are seeking the candidate who best contributes to our department and the needs of our students.

Salary for Announcement

The salary range for this faculty position is $60,000 - $68,000 at Assistant Professor rank. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, specialty and training.

MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.

International Candidates

On September 19, 2025, a $100,000 Fee for H-1B employment petitions was established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers." Due to a pending lawsuit and interim federal court decision, the fee is currently unenforceable and cannot be charged. As a result, for tenure-track faculty positions, MSU Denver is currently able to consider sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment. However, a future court decision or governmental action could change the Fee's status. For that reason, whether MSU Denver is able and willing to serve as a sponsor will depend on the actual status of the Fee at the time an eligible candidate is selected. MSU Denver will not sponsor applicants for H-1B employment who are subject to the Fee.

Instructions to Apply

To apply, complete an online application through our career site and search for JR106001: https://www.msudenver.edu/careers/.

To support a thorough evaluation of your qualifications and potential contributions as a faculty member, please include the following required documents with your application:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of application which addresses the AOC in Philosophy of Law and specifies which of the following courses you are qualified and available to teach: PHI1060 Ethics in Medicine and Science, PHI1110 Language, Logic, and Persuasion, PHI2040 Philosophy of Religion, PHI3010 History of Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, and Christian Voices, PHI3360 Business Ethics, PHI3370 Computers, Ethics, and Society.
• Teaching dossier, including sample syllabi and a statement of teaching philosophy. Relevant teaching documents beyond the statement of teaching philosophy and sample syllabi may be included in your dossier but are not required.
• Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned

Important Notes:

Due to volume of applications received, only applications completed as outlined above will be considered. Please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application. A maximum of 5 files can be uploaded, so you may need to combine some documents or all documents into one pdf file.

Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to provide reference letters and research materials.

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Applications accepted until position filled; priority given to applications received through Tuesday, January 5, 2027 at 11:59 PM MST.

Open Until Filled

The University's benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as accessto a long-term disability (LTD) plan.Visit MSU Denver'sbenefits websiteto learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator attotalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.