Assistant Professor of English (Creative Nonfiction)

The Department of English at Bowdoin College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position in creative nonfiction writing to begin July 1, 2024. The subfield is open, with the expectation that the successful candidate will be able to teach creative nonfiction writing courses both within and beyond areas of specialization. Ph.D., MFA, or equivalent terminal degree expected by date of appointment. Successful candidates will have a strong record of publications and effective teaching. The normal teaching load is two courses each semester.

Bowdoin requires its faculty to have a promise of long-term successful scholarly or artistic engagement and a strong commitment to inclusive excellence in their teaching. (For a description of inclusive excellence, please consult the following resource: Williams, et. al., Toward a Model of Inclusive Excellence.) We are particularly interested in candidates with a dedication to undergraduate liberal arts education.

The Bowdoin community warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the inclusive instruction and support of a diverse student population and who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We especially encourage people from historically excluded groups to apply. Accessibility during the application and interview stages, as well as once employed, is a priority of the College: https://www.bowdoin.edu/accessibility/index.html. We recognize that recruiting faculty may involve considerations of spouses and domestic partners. To that end, the College has developed a policy for considering short-term (non-renewable), part-time faculty appointments for academic spouses and partners and will facilitate outreach and networking for non-academic spouses and partners. In addition, visa sponsorships are available.

Bowdoin College offers opportunities for professional development, a fully-funded, year-long junior sabbatical leave (after three years of teaching and successful reappointment), and regular, generously funded, post-tenure sabbaticals. Support for teaching, grant-writing, digital initiatives, computing software, and community partnerships in courses is readily available to all faculty. The College also offers robust programming and resources for establishing and enhancing mentoring networks.

Bowdoin College accepts only electronic submissions for this position. Please submit 1) a 1-2 page cover letter that details your research and creative writing agenda, 2) a brief writing sample of 25 pages or fewer, 3) a statement of teaching no more than 3 pages that provides evidence of teaching effectiveness and commitment to inclusive excellence in the classroom, 4) a curriculum vitae; and 5) the names and contact information of three references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

Founded in 1794 on the Maine coast, Bowdoin is one of the oldest and most selective coeducational, residential liberal arts colleges in the country. Located in Brunswick, a 30-minute drive north of Portland, the College is in an area rich with natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities. Bowdoin’s reputation rests on the excellence of its faculty and students, intimate size, strong sense of community, and commitment to diversity (38% students of color, 7% international students and 17% first generation college students). Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses. For further information about the College and our department, please visit our website: http://www.bowdoin.edu.