Assistant Professor of English, Creative Writing (Fiction)

Assistant Professor of English, Creative Writing (Fiction)

The Department of English at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor rank in creative writing (fiction), to begin in August 2020. The department seeks an active writer and dedicated teacher to teach courses in both our MFA program and our BA in English. We welcome applications from candidates with secondary expertise in such areas as creative non-fiction, screenwriting, translation, or new media. The ability to teach courses in literature, composition and rhetoric, or linguistics is welcomed, as well.

Candidates should have at least one book of fiction published by (or under contract with) a nationally recognized press, as well as a commitment to teaching that aligns with the University’s mission and core values of access, inclusion, and community engagement.  An MFA and/or PhD is required by the time of appointment.

Women, members of historically underrepresented groups, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Working in UMSLs English Department and the College of Arts of Sciences

The MFA program at UMSL is small yet robust, graduating an average of 6-8 students a year. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, and many are working professionals in the St. Louis area. We are home to a nationally-distributed literary magazine, Natural Bridge, as well as the Natural Bridge Debut Writers Series. MFA faculty serve on and chair MFA thesis committees and oversee independent studies with both graduate and undergraduate students. Directorship of the MFA program rotates among tenured faculty.

The department also features an active MA program and a newly-revised BA in English, with courses at all levels in creative writing, literature, composition, rhetoric, and related fields including linguistics, film studies, gender studies, and disability studies. The department is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, which supports collaboration in research, teaching, and service. The College offers a range of interdisciplinary programs, including African/African American Studies, American Studies, Latinx Studies, Gender Studies, and Veterans Studies.  College faculty also regularly offer courses through the Pierre Laclede Honors College and the Center for International Studies.

Early career faculty typically teach two courses per semester. In the undergraduate major, these might include upper-level classes in fiction writing, seminars in contemporary fiction, or other courses in an area of specialization. At the graduate level, teaching would include graduate fiction workshops, courses in methods and techniques of fiction writing, and Literary Journal Editing, the course through which Natural Bridge is produced. The optimal candidate would contribute to the continued growth and development of both the BA and MFA programs.

About UMSL and Saint Louis

An urban institution in the heart of a major metropolitan area with robust literary and cultural communities, and a rich historical background, the University of Missouri-Saint Louis (UMSL) serves one of the most diverse student populations in the state. As the largest public research university located in Missouri’s most populous and economically important region, UMSL  provides excellent learning experiences and leadership opportunities to dynamic and engaged students, in the classroom and beyond; for instance, Washington Monthly ranked the University as one of “America’s best colleges for student voting.” UMSL is committed to maintaining an inclusive campus community that values and respects all members and achieves educational excellence through actively promoting diversity. We seek a faculty colleague who shares these values.

One of four institutions in the University of Missouri land-grant system, UMSL is classified as RU-H (high research activity) and as a Community Engaged Campus by Carnegie rankings. For further information about UMSL and St. Louis, please see: http://www.umsl.edu/proud/index.html and http://www.stlregionalchamber.com/life/overview.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply online at www.umsl.jobs (position #31773), submitting a cover letter and CV in a single .pdf or Word file. (Applications received from other sources cannot be accepted). For assured consideration, please submit application materials by 15 Novembr 2019. However, the position will remain open until filled. We will request additional materials in December, and we anticipate semifinal interviews via phone or video conference in January.  On-campus interviews will be held early in the spring semester. Interested individuals may contact Shane Seely (seelys@umsl.edu), search committee chair, with any questions.

The University of Missouri – St. Louis is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, committed to excellence through diversity.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following link: https://www.umsl.edu/services/odei/policies.html


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