Assistant Professor, English (Interest in Artificial Intelligence)

Job Summary:

We are excited to add a colleague to our distinguished and engaged department. We are searching for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor. This will be a 9-month appointment commencing in August 2024.

In addition to a passion for teaching and eagerness to connect with our students, we are searching for someone who will be actively engaged in new developments in the department, particularly a growing collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence major and a focus on interdisciplinary connections among Rhetoric and Media Studies, English, and Writing majors.

All faculty in the department are expected to contribute to lower-level courses that focus on writing and critical thinking. In addition to this shared value, this colleague will teach courses relevant to the crossover between AI current/projected needs and the development of the English Department’s new Rhetoric and Media Studies major. As affiliate faculty in Artificial Intelligence, this colleague will be expected to participate in that department’s regular meetings and discussions; annual reviews will be housed within the English Department and research is expected to be in English studies or a related field. Some sample courses this colleague may anticipate teaching include, but are not limited to:

• ENG 22: Critical Media Studies
• ENG 32: Book History and Social Change
• ENG 81: Intro to English Linguistics
• ENG 82: AI in Fiction
• ENG 102: Structures of Modern American English
• ENG 104 History of the English Language
• ENG 139: Language and Logic (for the AI program)
• 1 gateway course (ENG 37 Public Voices, ENG 38 Literary Study, or ENG 39 Writing Seminar) (required of all English faculty)
• 1 First-Year Seminar (FYS) (required of all English faculty)
• Other courses in the shared common core of the department, such as writing intensive courses or courses that fulfill major requirements in History and Traditions and/or Culture and Identity.

There will be opportunity for the development of new courses in consultation with the AI Director and collaboration with other departments.

The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate evidence of strong teaching effectiveness and working successfully with a diverse student population.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned PhD in English, or a related field, by the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with underrepresented populations.
• Demonstrated experience teaching linguistics to undergraduates
• An active (or promising) research program in English studies or a related field.
• Experience teaching first-year composition at the undergraduate level is preferred.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Drake Benefits Guide (Plan Year 2023).

One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Tuition Benefits.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

You must complete the online application and attach: (1) a cover letter, (2) CV/Resume, (3) a 1-2 page diversity statement, and (4) the contact details for three references.

Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of finalists.

All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of work authorization.

Have Questions?

Questions about this position can be directed to the Department and Search Chair, Professor Lisa West at lisa.west@drake.edu.

Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at jobs@drake.edu.

Review of Applications Begins:

For full consideration, apply by October 1, 2023. The position will remain posted until filled.

For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.

Department Summary:

Drake University’s Department of English offers students the opportunity to major or minor in English, Writing, or Rhetoric and Media Studies. These majors overlap through a shared investment in storytelling and representation, and the majors share a common lower-level core.

Our department also has a strong commitment to the Drake Curriculum and its goal to provide all Drake students with a liberal arts background, particularly through our Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Equity and Inclusion courses. We are interdisciplinary in nature and seek to forge connections with other departments and programs on campus.

We are proud that our students continually report very high satisfaction with their majors, the quality of the classroom experience and advising, and the advancement in their writing and critical thinking.

Our existing faculty are highly accomplished, award-winning professional writers, critics, and artists who encourage students to pursue their passions.

About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.

All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments. 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Drake:
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our Core Values. Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here.

We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application system.

Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.

At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.