Visiting Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies

Union College Career Center in Becker Hall • Schenectady, NY

1d • $68,500 - $70,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Union College seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor in French and Francophone Studies beginning September 1, 2027, for three academic years. The successful candidate will teach French language courses at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as other courses in French and English that are open to the full campus community. The role includes contributing courses to the College’s interdisciplinary programs and Complex Questions curriculum, and leading co-curricular programming such as language tables and cultural events. The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to Union’s strategic goals of diversity and belonging and show promise for innovative, active scholarship involving rigorous and creative research questions. The teaching load is two courses per 10-week trimester, or six courses per academic year.

The College is interested in teaching that uses linguistic and cultural materials related to multiple aspects of the French and Francophone worlds. Candidates may have a variety of research agendas; particular interests include Public Humanities, the Cultures of the Francophone Americas, and interdisciplinary research. The position is in the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures, a diverse department with five language programs and seven language offerings.

Applications should be submitted as PDF files and include a cover letter addressing how the applicant’s education, teaching, research, academic interests, and experience meet the position’s requirements; a current curriculum vitae; a teaching statement describing teaching goals and methods, including strategies for teaching academically and culturally diverse students; and a research statement describing past and recent scholarly activities and the methods and principles guiding them. Review begins December 30, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. Applications received by December 15, 2026, will receive priority consideration. First-round interview candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references. Finalists will undergo background checks covering education, employment, and criminal convictions. Union College participates in E-Verify.

Requirements

• Native or near-native fluency in French.
• Ph.D. must be completed or near completion by September 2027.
• Demonstrated excellence at all levels of language instruction.
• Experience leading co-curricular programming, such as language tables or cultural events.
• Commitment to Union’s strategic goals of diversity and belonging.
• Promise for innovative, active scholarship with broad and deep engagement in rigorous, creative research questions.

Nice To Haves

• Research in Public Humanities.
• Research in the Cultures of the Francophone Americas.
• Research that connects across disciplines.
• Teaching that makes use of linguistic and cultural materials related to multiple aspects of the French and Francophone worlds.

Responsibilities

• Teach French classes at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
• Teach other courses in French and English that are open to the full campus community.
• Teach upper-level French and/or translation courses that contribute to the College’s interdisciplinary programs.
• Offer courses that contribute to the College Complex Questions curriculum.
• Lead co-curricular programming such as language tables and cultural events.
• Pursue innovative, active scholarship engaging with rigorous and creative research questions.
• Demonstrate commitment to Union’s strategic goals of diversity and belonging.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (PPO and HDHP options), dental insurance, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts.
• Free access to the on-campus fitness facility and discounts for on-campus wellness programs.
• Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan, with pre-tax and post-tax options.
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of disability.
• Tuition Exchange.

What This Job Offers

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