Assistant Professor of Spanish and Hispanic Studies

Union College•Schenectady, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Union College invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Spanish and Hispanic Studies, beginning September 1, 2027. The Spanish and Hispanic Studies Department seeks a specialist in Hispanic Linguistics or Cultural Studies, preferably with expertise in U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Research should be highly interdisciplinary. Linguistics specializations may include Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, Sociolinguistics, Computational Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Phonology, Syntax, Morphology, Semantics, or Pragmatics. The successful candidate will teach six courses per year and contribute research, student advising, College and departmental service, and departmental curricular development, student engagement, placement advising, and recruitment. They will be expected to work closely with undergraduate students, develop creative and forward-thinking interdisciplinary curricula, offer interdisciplinary courses, involve students in research, and advise student theses and projects in Spanish and English. Opportunities for collaboration include programs such as Neuroscience, Data Analytics, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Africana Studies. Interest in developing new interdisciplinary opportunities, such as an interdisciplinary Linguistics minor, is a plus. Candidates must have a PhD in Spanish, Linguistics, Hispanic Studies, or a related field. Candidates with the PhD in hand will be prioritized; those expecting to defend by August 2027 will also be considered. Native or near-native Spanish fluency, high English proficiency, and strong Spanish-language teaching skills and experience at all levels are required. The candidate must be able to contribute courses that complement current offerings. Experience teaching heritage learners is preferred, and experience leading term-abroad programs is a plus. Preference will be given to candidates able to develop courses in Spanish and English on U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Applications must be received by December 15, 2026. Submit the listed application materials as PDF files: curriculum vitae, letter of interest, research statement for non-specialist readers, teaching statement discussing potential involvement of undergraduate students in research and/or experiences outside the classroom, and graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts accepted). Candidates invited to first-round interviews will be asked for contact information for three professional references, two sample syllabi (one course taught in Spanish at the 250–299 through 400 level, and one course taught in English for a broader student population), and a writing sample. The annual salary range is $81,500–$83,500. The position is located in Schenectady, New York.

Requirements

PhD in Spanish, Linguistics, Hispanic Studies, or a related field; candidates with the PhD in hand will be prioritized, and candidates expecting to defend by August 2027 will be considered.
Native or near-native fluency in Spanish.
High English language proficiency.
Strong Spanish-language teaching skills and experience teaching at all levels.
Ability to contribute courses that complement current departmental offerings.
Interest in working closely with undergraduate students and in interdisciplinary, forward-thinking departmental curricular development.

Nice To Haves

Specialization in Hispanic Linguistics or Cultural Studies, preferably with expertise in U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures.
Highly interdisciplinary research.
Experience leading term-abroad programs.
Experience teaching heritage learners.
Expertise to develop courses in Spanish and English on U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures.
Interest in spearheading new interdisciplinary opportunities on campus, such as an interdisciplinary Linguistics minor.

Responsibilities

Teach six courses per year, including Spanish courses at various levels.
Conduct research and involve undergraduate students in research opportunities.
Advise students on theses and projects in Spanish and English.
Contribute to College service and departmental service.
Participate in curricular development, student engagement, placement advising, and recruitment activities.
Develop interdisciplinary courses that complement current offerings and support creative, forward-thinking curricular development.
Contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration with programs such as Neuroscience, Data Analytics, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Africana Studies.
Potentially spearhead new interdisciplinary opportunities on campus, such as an interdisciplinary Linguistics minor.