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Dissertation Chair Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Serving as a key partner to the Department Chair and faculty, this role oversees, academic ... thesis and dissertation defenses, accreditation efforts, reporting requirements, student ...

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$10

$22

$35

How much do dissertation chair jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for dissertation chair in Massachusetts is $23.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $26.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dissertation chair?

A Dissertation Chair is a faculty member who mentors and guides graduate students throughout the dissertation process. They provide feedback on research design, methodology, and writing while ensuring the dissertation meets academic standards. The Chair also facilitates communication between the student and the dissertation committee, helping to resolve any challenges. Their goal is to support the student in successfully completing and defending their dissertation.

What are the main responsibilities and day-to-day tasks of a dissertation chair?

As a Dissertation Chair, your primary responsibilities include mentoring doctoral candidates, providing feedback on research proposals, ensuring methodological rigor, and overseeing the dissertation process to meet institutional standards. You will regularly review drafts, convene meetings with students and committee members, and help navigate challenges related to research design or data analysis. Collaboration with other faculty and administrative staff is common, particularly when addressing IRB requirements or curriculum guidelines. This role demands a combination of academic expertise and supportive leadership to foster student growth and successful dissertation completion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the dissertation chair position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dissertation Chair, you need a robust academic background, experience in research methodology, and a history of successful dissertation supervision, typically with a terminal degree in your field. Familiarity with institutional learning management systems, citation management tools, and IRB protocols is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and effective mentorship abilities help you guide doctoral candidates through challenging research processes. These competencies are crucial for supporting student success, maintaining academic standards, and ensuring timely completion of doctoral projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dissertation Chair jobs in Massachusetts?

The most popular types of Dissertation Chair jobs in Massachusetts are:

What are popular job titles related to Dissertation Chair jobs in Massachusetts?

For Dissertation Chair jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Dissertation Chair job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,831 per year, or $23 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$135K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Massachusetts Institute Of Technology rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

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Job description

Description
The Anthropology Program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the anthropology of China. This tenure-track position will fill the Fang Chair in Chinese Languages and Culture, with an intended start date of July 1, 2027, or as soon thereafter as possible.
Faculty responsibilities include teaching courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, advising students, conducting research, and providing service to the Institute and the profession. The 2-1 teaching load will include courses on the anthropology of China as well as general anthropology courses within our core curriculum. The successful applicant may have opportunities to teach seminars through the Global Languages Program and mentor PhD students through the HASTS Program. Our program offers supportive mentorship to junior faculty, an exceptional environment for anthropological inquiry, and a strong commitment to an inclusive, welcoming culture.
A Ph.D. in sociocultural or linguistic anthropology or a related field is required by the start date of employment. The ideal candidate will have conducted original ethnographic research that advances the discipline and contributes to the department's needs, an ambitious and realistic plan for future research and publication, and evidence of teaching excellence.
The annual salary pay range for this position is $135,000-$138,000.
We request that applications and other materials, including (a) curriculum vitae; (b) a cover letter of 2-3 pages addressing current and future research and teaching interests; (c) a writing sample, e.g., journal article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter; and (d) the names and contact information for 3 references, be submitted online at https://apply.interfolio.com/189026. It is recommended that one of the letter writers be able to specifically discuss your teaching abilities, experience, and/or potential. To receive full consideration, applications must be completed by October 18, 2026.
Questions should be addressed to Amberly Steward (asteward@mit.edu). We expect to begin interviewing candidates by November.
MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. See MIT's full policy on nondiscrimination. Know your rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including verifying any finding or misconduct (or pending investigation) from prior employers.
MIT provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the Institute reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. This pay range represents base pay only and does not include any other benefits or compensation.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. in sociocultural or linguistic anthropology or a related field is required by the start date of employment. The ideal candidate will have conducted original ethnographic research that advances the discipline and contributes to the department's needs, an ambitious and realistic plan for future research and publication, and evidence of teaching excellence.
Application Instructions
We request that applications and other materials, including (a) curriculum vitae; (b) a cover letter of 2-3 pages addressing current and future research and teaching interests; (c) a writing sample, e.g., journal article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter; and (d) the names and contact information for 3 references, be submitted online at https://apply.interfolio.com/186788. It is recommended that one of the letter writers be able to specifically discuss your teaching abilities, experience, and/or potential. To receive full consideration, applications must be completed by October 18, 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT's full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here.

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