Assistant Professor of English - Southern Literature and/or Southern Studies

The Department of English at the University of Memphis invites applications for a tenure-track position in Southern Literature and/or Southern Studies to begin Fall 2024. We especially invite individuals whose research and teaching have the potential to bolster the department’s strengths in Writing, Rhetoric, & Technical Communication and/or African American Literature and Culture.

We seek candidates who will contribute to the department’s interdisciplinary identity and whose professional goals prioritize innovative, inclusive teaching and research in an English Studies program. The successful applicant will teach courses in the Literary and Cultural Studies concentration at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level, and possibly courses in other concentrations, depending on the candidate’s research interests. Other job duties include maintaining an active research program; advising undergraduate and master theses; advising doctoral dissertations; and participating in departmental and possibly college-level service that aligns the candidate’s interests and institutional needs.

The University of Memphis is a public, urban, top-tier R1 research institution that welcomes more than 21,000 students to campus every year. The UofM is inextricably linked to the city in which it resides. Located in the heart of the Mid-South, Memphis is a cultural and economic hub for the region with nationally recognized museums and libraries; multiple healthcare, logistics, and technology headquarters; and a thriving arts and culture scene.

The Department of English consists of six undergraduate concentrations (African American Literature, Applied Linguistics, Creative Writing, Literature, Professional Writing, and TESOL), a variety of M.A. and Ph.D. programs, and several certificate programs. The department maintains close ties with a wide range of cultural organizations and nonprofits in the region. For this reason, the position is uniquely suited for a candidate interested in community engagement or public-facing scholarship.

The standard teaching load for this position is 3/2 with one course release in the first year, a second pre-tenure course release, and the possibility of a pre-tenure professional development release. 

Requirements include a PhD in English or related field. PhD must be in hand by the start of the position in Fall 2024.

Applications will be enhanced by additional qualifications:

• a demonstrated publication record
• evidence of teaching excellence
• a clear commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom and workplace

To apply, candidates should submit the following, initial materials:

● Cover letter

● Current CV
 

Candidates will be asked for the following materials at a later round:

● Dissertation/Research Abstract (no more than 2 pages)

● Teaching Philosophy (no more than 2 pages)

● Writing Sample (no more than 20 pages)

● Three professional references

For full consideration, applications must be received by October 31, 2023. Requests for additional materials will occur in mid-November and initial video conference interviews will occur soon thereafter. On-campus interviews will take place early in the Spring 2024 term (late-January and early February).