Professor of History

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

67d

About The Position

The Department of History and the Integrated Liberal Studies Program at the UW-Madison invite excellent candidates who work in the history of science with a focus on water to apply for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor. The time period and area of specialization are open. A candidate's research may engage, for instance, with the social, political, and intellectual dimensions of human-water interactions; water access, use, or management; oceanography, limnology, hydrology, or fisheries science; or water biology and ecology, both marine and freshwater. The successful candidate may have a transnational dimension to their research but should be well grounded in a US context. We welcome applications from scholars whose research on systems of knowledge-making around water can complement strengths of the Department of History, which include indigenous history, environmental history, slavery and race relations, US empire and militarization, comparative imperialisms/colonialisms, and political economy. As a core member of the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology graduate program, the successful candidate may engage with its strengths in data and information, science and empire, health and environment, and the global history of science. We are especially interested in innovative scholars willing to explore interdisciplinary water research in collaboration with colleagues in water-focused research centers and other units at UW-Madison, such as the Aquatic Sciences Center, Center for Limnology, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, La Follette School of Public Policy, and Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. The tenure home will be in the Department of History. This position is part of a new university-wide initiative called RISE-EARTH (Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence in Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity). Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions. Over a three-year period, UW-Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE-EARTH can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/ The successful candidate will pursue a vigorous research program while contributing to the graduate program in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology in the Department of History and to the Integrated Liberal Studies Program's undergraduate teaching mission of innovative, interdisciplinary liberal education. Applicants should have the capacity to teach undergraduate survey courses in the history of science as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in their areas of expertise. They will also be expected to provide service to the program, department, college, university, and professional community nationally or internationally. As a member of the College of L&S, the successful candidate will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college's commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service. The Department of History at UW-Madison is highly ranked and is especially strong in the history of science, medicine, technology, and the environment. The discipline of limnology in North America began in the 1890s at UW-Madison, which continues to lead the field today. Water@UW-Madison showcases the depth, diversity, and interdisciplinarity of water-related research across campus. In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire faculty who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance. Learn more about the L&S mission on our webpage: https://ls.wisc.edu/about/mission. Madison is the state's capitol city and is well known for offering a small town feel in a medium-sized city. Fortune named Madison #7 Happiest City in America in 2025, and for 2025-2026, US News & World Report ranked Madison #7 for Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the US. The city consistently wins national recognition for its walkability, bikeability, parks, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation.

Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of excellence and productivity in scholarly research, as well as a commitment to teaching, mentoring, and service.
In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate fostering or the ability to foster a teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and a research environment where all can thrive.
The successful candidate will also show interest in exploring interdisciplinary water research in collaboration with colleagues in water-focused research centers and other units at UW-Madison.
PhD in History or related field required by start of appointment.

Responsibilities

Applicants should have the capacity to teach undergraduate survey courses in the history of science as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in their areas of expertise.
They will also be expected to provide service to the program, department, college, university, and professional community nationally or internationally.

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