Assistant Professor - Asian American Rhetorics

The Department of English is partnering with the Center for Ethnic Studies (CES) to hire a tenure-track assistant professor with a specialization in the area of Asian American Rhetorics, with complementary expertise in one or more of the following areas: community writing, digital media studies, disability studies, rhetorics of health and medicine, literacy studies, scientific and technical writing, trans and queer studies, women’s and gender studies, and/or writing program administration. We welcome and encourage applications from scholars who are considering Asian American rhetorics within a diasporic, transnational and/or intersectional U.S.-based framework.

The successful candidate will hold a 50% FTE tenure track appointment in the Department of English and a 50% FTE appointment in the Center for Ethnic Studies (CES), a collaborative research center at Ohio State that encompasses three individual units: American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, and Latinx Studies. The center works with partners across the university to: advance the study of persistent inequalities that fuel continued underrepresentation for many; deepen our knowledge and understanding of American Indians, Asian Americans, and Latinas/os/e; and explore the dynamic interconnections for these populations between their lives in the U.S. and other parts of the globe. Within English, the hire will be part of the Writing, Rhetoric and Literacy (WRL) program, which is a national leader in scholarship and teaching on cultural theories and practices of reading, writing, composing, communicating, and consuming and producing media.

This position is being partially funded by Ohio State’s Global Arts and Humanities Discovery Theme (GAHDT). The successful candidate will be expected to participate in mentoring events and interdisciplinary programming as part of a cohort of GAHDT-funded faculty. 

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: This appointment will begin August 15, 2024, Ph.D. in English or rhetoric with degree in hand by August 15, 2024. ABDs welcome to apply.  Academic achievement and promise of continued scholarly excellence in candidate’s field of study is expected, as well as a commitment to teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels and to working with a diverse student body and community, and a record of advising/mentoring a diverse body of students, as is commensurate with the candidate’s experience.

Desired: Experience working in Asian American community engagement is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, in line with Ohio State’s Shared Values (see below).

How to Apply

A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements, a writing sample, and three letters of reference.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
• Attachment 5: A writing sample of no longer than 25 pages.

You will be asked for names and contact information for three reference letters if your candidacy advances beyond the initial review.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Christa Teston at teston.2@osu.edu.

Additional Information:

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

The Department of English offers an undergraduate major with four specializations, including writing, rhetoric and literacy, as well as an integrated major with math and six undergraduate minors.  It also offers three graduate programs: the MA/PhD in English studies, MFA in creative writing, and and MA in medical humanities and social sciences. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary in our individual and collective work, we aspire to  be a dynamic, creative and supportive community of researchers, teachers, and students.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.  

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI i