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Assistant/Associate Professor - College of Optometry (12 mos. Tenure-track)
Job no: 497777
Work type: Faculty - Temporary & Continuing
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Faculty
Position Title: Assistant/Associate Professor - College of Optometry (12 mos. Tenure-track)
Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
36000 - Optometry Deans Office
Advertised Salary: $100,000-$109,999 Assistant Professor, $110,000-$112,000 Associate Professor. Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Faculty Health Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt
Temporary/Continuing: Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time
Union Group: Ferris Faculty Association (MEA-NEA)
Term of Position: 12 Month
At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause
Summary of Position: The Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University seeks a diverse group of outstanding applicants for a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. The candidate will be expected to develop in the areas of patient care, didactic teaching, advising, scholarly/professional activities, and service and will be responsible for teaching primarily in clinic, with additional responsibilities in the laboratory and classroom.
• Candidates are expected to foster a meaningful learning experience for our students; faculty are expected to be student-oriented, advise, and integrate current technology into the learning environment.
• Additionally, faculty will participate in collaborative efforts to foster curricular efforts, participate in assessment of student learning, and further develop programmatic enhancement.
• Specifically, we expect the candidate to be willing to engage students outside the classroom, support and expand our existing academic initiatives, and be willing to mentor students beyond a traditional academic advising role.
• In support of teaching, candidates will engage in scholarly/professional activities and participate in department, college, and university committees.
• Online teaching could be required but primarily, courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at the Big Rapids location.
The anticipated start date for the position the Fall of 2026. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.
Position Type: Faculty - Temporary & Continuing
Required Education: At the time of appointment, the applicant must hold the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Applicant must have completed a residency or other graduate degree in vision science or other healthcare discipline. If candidate does not have additional certification or degree, equivalent experience in patient care or healthcare education will be considered.
Required Work Experience: At least one year of residency experience, or 3 years of consistent clinical experience post-graduation if no residency was completed, or commensurate work/professional experience
Required Licenses and Certifications: At the time of appointment, the applicant must have or be eligible to obtain a Michigan optometry license with DPA and TPA certifications, and be eligible for appointment to the clinical staff of the college. The applicant must have a Michigan license prior to starting clinical care.
Physical Demands:

• Office Environment

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: The applicant should demonstrate experience and a strong level of interest in clinical and didactic instruction in primary care optometry. It is also preferred that the candidate have experience working within a team-teaching environment and demonstrate the ability to initiate and complete scholarly/professional activities.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Faculty members have professional responsibilities which may include advising students, clinical orientation of students, participating in university and professional committees, keeping regular posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (e.g., reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time). This position emphasizes clinical assignments and patient care. Faculty members may be required to teach off-campus or asynchronously, and/or take after-hours clinical call.
• Teach full-time during the 12-month academic year.
• Serve on program committees and represent the program(s) on College and University committees.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development, assessment, and quality assurance.
• Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan by the first day of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site.
• Maintain records and conduct assessments and advising in accordance with policies and procedures developed by the university, college, school, department, and/or program.
• Perform duties in accordance with established University policies.
• Act as liaison between the program and professional organizations through active, individual involvement and, potentially, as the program-appointed representative.
• Enthusiastically support student success through active involvement with individual students, student organizations, and student competitions, both within and outside of the classroom.
• Remain current in the profession.
• The position reports to the Department Chair or Director and the Dean.
• Ferris State University's philosophy places excellence in teaching as the first priority while encouraging involvement in scholarly activity.
• Work with colleagues to develop new curricular initiatives.
• Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:
Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences
Required Documents:

• Cover Letterr
• Unofficial Transcript 1
• Curriculum Vitae
• Certification/License

Optional Documents:
Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of OD degree.
Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
Licensure: Please attach copy of current Michigan OD license.
Initial Application Review Date:
June 8, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes
Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.
Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.
Advertised: 08 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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