Open-Rank Professor, Literature

UATX•Austin, TX

13h

About The Position

The Center for Arts at the University of Austin invites applications for full- or part-time Literature faculty at any academic rank. The Center is especially interested in candidates specializing in medieval British, Irish, and European literature or modern British, Irish, and American literature. Candidates should be enthusiastic about teaching across multiple regions and centuries in a curriculum focused on recurring debates, abiding structures, intellectual history, and the development of Western civilization. They should also be open to teaching in other curriculum areas, including philosophy, theology, history, and art history. The role includes teaching courses in the core curriculum, Intellectual Foundations. A medieval literature specialist will also teach a dedicated survey of medieval literature and courses on Dante, Chaucer, and/or Shakespeare’s English history plays. A modern literature specialist will teach Victorian literature, modernism, and literary theory. Faculty are expected to pursue active and ambitious research agendas and undertake high-level research and undergraduate teaching within a liberal arts curriculum. Appointments will be at the Assistant, Associate, or full Professor rank, with an anticipated start in Fall 2027. The annual teaching load is 18 quarter hours, equivalent to 12 semester hours or a 2/2 semester-system load. These are long-term academic appointments supported by renewable five-year contracts; the university does not use a traditional tenure system. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with rank, and includes comprehensive benefits and a research stipend. Full-time Assistant Professor salaries in Arts start at $90,000.

Requirements

Specialization in medieval British, Irish, and European literature or modern British, Irish, and American literature is of particular interest.
Enthusiasm for teaching broadly across multiple regions and centuries.
Readiness to undertake research and undergraduate teaching at the highest level within a liberal arts curriculum.
Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter describing their interest in the position, relevant teaching and research experience, and alignment with the University of Austin’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Openness to teaching philosophy, theology, history, or art history in addition to literature.

Responsibilities

Teach courses in the Intellectual Foundations core curriculum.
Teach across multiple regions and centuries, in keeping with the curriculum’s focus on recurring debates, abiding structures, intellectual history, and Western civilization.
Be open to teaching in other curriculum areas, including philosophy, theology, history, and art history.
For medieval literature specialization, teach a dedicated medieval literature survey and courses on Dante, Chaucer, and/or Shakespeare’s English history plays.
For modern literature specialization, teach Victorian literature, modernism, and literary theory.
Undertake undergraduate teaching and research within a liberal arts curriculum.
Maintain an active and ambitious research agenda.