Visiting Assistant Professor of English

Bates College • Lewiston, ME

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The English Department at Bates College seeks applications from candidates for a two-year full-time visiting position at the level of Assistant Professor in Medieval Literature with a secondary field of expertise in Nineteenth-Century British Literature, to begin July 1, 2026. The successful candidate will teach five courses per year. The first year will include classes on Chaucer, a medieval genre course, Introduction to Medieval Literature, and an advanced seminar in a medieval topic. The second year will include classes on a single nineteenth-century author, on the English novel, and on a Victorian-themed course (such as Victorian medievalism or globalism/empire). Other classes may include modern popular adaptations of either medieval or Victorian literature, and “Foundations of English Literature.” Responsibilities are limited in scope and focus on teaching and mentoring students during the term of the appointment. Advising and student supervision responsibilities will be limited to thesis supervision aligned with the primary field of expertise—Medieval Literature—in the first year of appointment and in the secondary area—Nineteenth-Century British Literature—during the second year. Visiting assistant professors are not assigned ongoing administrative or committee responsibilities, except if negotiated with the Dean of Faculty or Associate Deans of Faculty. They are expected to attend faculty meetings and departmental meetings related to teaching, and to engage collegially in the academic life of the department. Bates College is a residential liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine—a diverse and growing community roughly 45 minutes from Portland, the state’s largest city, 2 ½ hours north of Boston, and 4 ½ hours south of Montreal. Bates values faculty scholarship, creative work, and pedagogical innovation as central to its academic mission. While visiting faculty appointments are primarily teaching-focused, the College recognizes that scholarly and creative activity may remain an important part of a faculty member’s professional identity. Institutional resources supporting scholarship and teaching are available in ways appropriate to the scope and duration of the appointment. Community-engaged learning and study abroad are broadly encouraged and supported, and pedagogical development and innovation are supported through the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning. Educational access and racial justice are central to Bates’ history and mission and our faculty-led initiatives reflect this commitment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. by the position’s start date.
• Ability to meet Bates’s standards of excellence in terms of inclusive and evidence-based pedagogies.
• Expertise in Medieval Literature.
• Secondary field of expertise in Nineteenth-Century British Literature.

Nice To Haves

• Scholarly and creative activity may remain an important part of a faculty member’s professional identity.

Responsibilities

• Teach five courses per year.
• Advise and supervise students, including thesis supervision.
• Attend faculty and departmental meetings related to teaching.
• Engage collegially in the academic life of the department.

Benefits

• Institutional resources supporting scholarship and teaching are available.
• Community-engaged learning and study abroad are broadly encouraged and supported.
• Pedagogical development and innovation are supported through the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree