Assistant Professor of Writing Studies

The School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts is seeking a tenure-track specialist in multilingual rhetoric and composition with focus in both language acquisition and writing pedagogy for multilingual, second language, heritage, and/or generation 1.5 students. We seek a candidate with experience combining multiple research methods, which could include, among others, textual analysis, ethnographic observation and interviews, discourse analysis, and/or statistical analysis. Areas of research inquiry could include, but are not limited to, rhetorical theory, language learning, discourse analysis, linguistics, contrastive rhetoric, language policy, racial and social equity, and multilingual studies. This research-focused position will shape first-year writing courses’ pedagogy with opportunity to participate in representing entry-level writing placement system wide. Our department includes a Writing Studies Minor degree program, participates in the Interdisciplinary Humanities graduate program, and governs several required courses (entry-level writing, argumentative writing, and writing in the disciplines). UC Merced students are linguistically diverse, and our university context offers significant local and networked opportunities to develop a multilingualism research program.

We seek outstanding scholars who will establish and maintain creative research programs, participate in creating and modifying curriculum for our minor and potential major in Writing Studies at UC Merced, participate actively in the development of innovative interdisciplinary programs and research, and teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Individuals with a history of and/or commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

In order to be considered, candidates must have a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, or a relevant field by the position start date.

The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2020.

Applications must be submitted online. Completed applications must be received no later than January 15, 2020, in order to be considered. Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) statement of research; 4) statement of teaching; 5) one writing sample; 6) a contributions to diversity statement; and 7) a list of references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address.

The contributions to diversity statement should describe your past experience, activities and future plans to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, in alignment with UC Merced’s mission to reflect the diversity of California and to meet the educational needs and interests of its diverse population. Some faculty candidates may not have substantial past activities. If that is the case, we recommend focusing on future plans in your statement. A more developed and substantial plan is expected for senior candidates.  For additional information on what should be included on your Diversity Statement, please visit http://facultyexcellence.ucsd.edu/c2d/index.html#Are-there-any-guidelines-for-wr.

Applicants for the Assistant Professor level should arrange to have three letters of reference submitted online. After an application is submitted, the letters of reference should be electronically uploaded by the letter writers (instructions will be provided by the application system).  Letters of reference should be received no later than January 15, 2020.

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from all qualified applicants, including women, minorities, veterans, and individual with disabilities, who will enrich the teaching, research and public service missions of the university. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy  (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction).

Salary is commensurate with education, experience, and UC academic salary scales.

For additional information, please contact Paul Gibbons at pgibbons@ucmerced.edu.

Applicants will be notified when the final candidate has been selected.

To apply, please visit our UC Merced job posting at: https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF00900.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With 8,500 undergraduate and graduate students (https://www.ucmerced.edu/fast-facts), UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).


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