Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Second Language Writing

The Department of English at Northern Illinois University (NIU) would like to invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Rhetoric and Writing with a specialization in Second Language Writing and a strong secondary interest in one or more additional area of Rhetoric and Writing Studies to begin August 16, 2025. A successful candidate for this position will present strong evidence of excellence in research and teaching and will have a PhD conferred by the start date of the position.

A primary research and teaching interest in Second Language Writing and a secondary interest in another area of Writing Studies are required. Specific secondary research interests in Writing Studies are open, but may include writing with technology, social media writing, anti-racist writing, composition pedagogy, writing program administration, community writing, and/or business and technical writing. Candidates may have overlaps between their Second Language Writing and Writing Studies interests.

The Department of English actively seeks qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our faculty and campus.

About NIU
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb was named a 2024 Great College to Work For, cited specifically for “Shared Governance” and “Faculty Experience.” It has an exceptionally diverse campus, with 65% of new students identifying as students of color. NIU is on track to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution—about 25% of NIU student identify as Hispanic. The university’s commitment to diversity includes a thriving Office of Academic, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 4 cultural resource centers, and 6 academic diversity centers. NIU is a 2021, 2022, and 2023 recipient of Insight into Diversity magazine’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award and received Association of American Colleges and Universities Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus recognition in 2021. NIU received a five out of five score from Campus Pride as an LGBTQ-Friendly Campus and was named the top university in Illinois for LGBTQ+ inclusion by Best Colleges. NIU draws its predominately first-generation and transfer student population from the cities of Chicago and Rockford, their suburbs, and the rural areas of the region. It has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings as a 2025 leader in social mobility.

Position Summary

The Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Second Language Writing typically includes a 2/2 teaching load per year with opportunities to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in second language writing, TESOL, theory of composition, digital writing, technical writing/editing, writing across the curriculum, or rhetoric.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teaching graduate and undergraduate courses
• Mentoring graduate students
• Building and maintaining a research agenda in your areas of specialization
• Engaging in service to the department, university, and profession       

Minimum Required Qualifications

• PhD in Second Language Writing, Rhetoric & Composition, or a very closely related field
• Teaching and research in both Second Language Writing and Writing Studies

Preferred Qualifications

• Peer-reviewed research in Second Language Writing theory and/or practice.
• Experience teaching second language and multilingual writers.
• Experience teaching classes focused on Second Language Writing and Writing Studies.
• Specific research and teaching interests in working with Hispanic students, bilingual speakers of English, and/or multilingual writers in composition classes.
• Secondary research and teaching interests in Writing Studies, specifically writing with technology, social media writing, anti-racist writing, composition pedagogy, writing program administration, community writing, and/or business writing.

Salary Statement

• Commensurate with experience and qualifications. NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Application Materials

For full consideration, prospective applicants should visit https://employment.niu.edu/postings/80263 to create an application profile and submit the following materials by December 1, 2024.

• A cover letter, including references to your research agenda and your teaching interests—including both graduate and undergraduate classes that could be taught at NIU;
• A CV with names and contact information for three academic references;
• A writing sample of 7,000 to 10,000 words, preferably peer-reviewed;
• A 1-to-2-page statement of teaching philosophy that includes teaching a diverse population of students;
• Unofficial transcripts, with official transcripts required if selected for a campus visit.

Applications received after December 1 are welcomed but will be considered as needed. Candidates invited to the first round of interviews should be prepared to submit three letters of reference at that time.

For questions, contact the search committee chair, Ryan Shepherd, at rshepherd@niu.edu.

AA/EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.