Assistant or Associate Professor of English

The Department of English invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, beginning August 16, 2024. We are seeking qualified candidates in the field of Children’s and/or Adolescent/Young Adult Literature (CYAL) whose work addresses issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and/or social justice. Responsibilities include scholarly research/publishing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, and service. Candidates who will contribute to the department's needs in areas of literature for young children, visual narratives, multimodal narratives, and/or the history of CYAL are especially encouraged to apply, although all subspecialties are encouraged. The normal teaching load is fifteen credit hours per academic year, along with an expectation of graduate advising.

The Department of English and the College of Arts and Sciences are committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enrich the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity, are especially welcome to apply. Women, LGBTQIA2+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and people of color are encouraged to apply.

The position is a nine-month, tenure-track appointment with the possibility of summer teaching. Salary, rank, and tenure are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in the Department of English. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

Additional Information

Children’s Literature Programs: The children’s literature programs at ISU contribute to the university’s historical and current mission of educating teachers. Partners with the children’s literature programs include the university’s Children’s Studies minor and the department’s M.A. in English Education with a focus on equitable, inclusive education. Candidates for this position can expect to teach most or all of their courses in children’s and/or young adult literature, although there may be opportunities for teaching other courses depending on the candidate’s fields of specialization.

Department of English: Our department emphasizes an English Studies model in its undergraduate, MA, and PhD programs and includes scholars in the fields of Children’s Literature, Composition, Creative Writing, English Education, Linguistics, Literary and Cultural Studies, Publishing Studies, Rhetoric, TESOL, and Technical Communication. Our department faculty and graduate students are a community of diverse scholars who value pedagogy and collaborative, interdisciplinary work. For additional information about the Department of English, please visit our website at: http://english.illinoisstate.edu/.

Illinois State University: Illinois State University http://www.illinoisstate.edu, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. There are approximately 21,000 students in the six colleges of Illinois State University. In our most recent strategic plan, Educate ∙ Connect ∙ Elevate, we have committed our resources to realizing seven core values: Learning and Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Collaboration, Individualized Attention, Civic Engagement, and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our University being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Also visit the University’s metrics of excellence at (http://illinoisstate.edu/pointsofpride/).

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. SmartAsset ranked Bloomington IL, in the top 20 of the most livable cities in the U.S. (2022). Zippia named Bloomington, IL, as #1 on their “Happiest Cities” list (2020), and Best Choice Schools listed the area on its “30 Small College Towns with Great Quality of Life” (2020). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis, two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield; many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via the Amtrak located 1 block from ISU’s campus. For more information on our community, please visit (http://visitbn.org/).
 

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

1) Doctorate in English with concentration in Children’s and/or Adolescent/YA literature or related field; however, exceptional A.B.D. candidates will also be considered with an expected completion of their doctoral degree before August 15, 2024.
2) Active engagement in the field of children’s and/or young adult literary studies.
3) A record or promise of effective post-secondary teaching.
4) Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2024

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of application
2) Teaching philosophy of no more than two pages
3) Research statement of no more than two pages
4) Curriculum vitae
5) The names and contact details of 3 references
6) A writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin November 10th, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

If any applicant has questions about the position, please contact Mary Jeanette Moran (mjmoran@ilstu.edu); contact Jeanne Merkle (djmerkl@ilstu.edu) with any questions about the application process.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.