Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing: Poetry)

Union College Career Center in Becker Hall•Schenectady, NY

42d•$81,500 - $83,500•Onsite

About The Position

Union College invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of English specializing in Poetry, beginning September 1, 2026. The successful candidate will teach poetry workshops at all levels and literature electives, contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum, and develop a First-Year Inquiry course. The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in digital poetics, digital studies, and the use of digital tools in teaching and publication. Experience with creating and maintaining peer-reviewed online journals or digital resources for undergraduate creative writing is highly valued. The college also encourages applications from candidates committed to underrepresented perspectives, including BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers, and those whose teaching can support various interdisciplinary programs. The English Department fosters a cooperative and encouraging environment, offering a diverse array of pedagogical perspectives and supporting a creative writing minor.

Requirements

M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the time of hire
Experience in teaching creative writing
Established publication record (e.g., published book of poetry or digital equivalent, or series of poems in peer-reviewed journals)
Ability to teach poetry workshops at all levels
Ability to teach literature electives
Ability to contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum
Ability to develop a First-Year Inquiry course
Interest in digital poetics and/or digital studies
Interest in incorporating digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or poetry publication
Interest in expanding digital course offerings
Demonstrated interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing
Demonstrated interest and/or excellence in supporting underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers
Ability to support Union’s interdisciplinary programs
Submit application letter
Submit curriculum vitae
Submit writing sample (up to 15 pages)
Submit statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages), which includes experiences, approaches, and classroom activities that increase inclusivity and community for students of various backgrounds and abilities
Provide contact information for three professional references upon request

Nice To Haves

Interest in organizing a departmental reading series
Work in digital poetics and/or digital studies more broadly
Incorporate digital tools and platforms into their teaching and/or their poetry publication
Expand our digital course offerings, which may include contributions that cross with Computer Science, or programs in Digital Studies, Digital Media, and/or Science, Technology, and Society
Demonstrated interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing
Demonstrate through their teaching and service a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers
Teaching could support Union’s interdisciplinary programs in Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Climate Change Studies, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, Mental Health Care, Music Technology, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Law & Humanities, Religious Studies, Russian & Eastern European Studies, and/or Public Health

Responsibilities

Teach poetry workshops at all levels
Teach literature electives of their own design
Contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum
Develop a First-Year Inquiry course
Organize a departmental reading series (preferred)
Incorporate digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or poetry publication
Expand digital course offerings, potentially crossing with Computer Science or programs in Digital Studies, Digital Media, and/or Science, Technology, and Society
Demonstrate interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing
Demonstrate through teaching and service a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers
Support Union’s interdisciplinary programs