Assistant Professor

Position Function:

The Department of English seeks a creative nonfiction writer for a tenure-track assistant professor position to begin August 16, 2021. M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing and college teaching experience required.

Salary Grade : UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The English department offers a traditional Bachelor’s and Master's degree in English, as well as a minor in English that helps students in other majors develop valuable writing, research, and critical thinking skills. We offer workshop and craft classes in creative writing, and each year bring to campus visiting writers who not only read and discuss their work, but also visit workshops and meet informally with students. Our linguistics classes can contribute to careers such as language teaching, publishing, and speech therapy. We also offer a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Additional information about the Department of English at Mississippi State University can be found at www.english.msstate.edu . Our department has committed to sustained antiracist work in areas including hiring, curricula, pedagogy, and the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff. This search is part of a cohort of three departmental hires this year (Creative Writing--Poetry, Creative Writing--Non-Fiction, and Professional Writing) intended to increase faculty diversity and to help further our goals of promoting equity and inclusivity across the department.

https://www.english.msstate.edu/news/mississippi-state-department-english-statement-protest-against-racism-and-police-violence/

Area of Specialization:

Creative Writing- Nonfiction

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2021

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will carry a 2/2 load in the first year and a 3/2 (or 2/3) load in subsequent years. Teaching assignments will include introductory creative writing classes, upper-level creative nonfiction workshops that the successful candidate will help design, and directing creative theses in nonfiction for our M.A. students. The candidate will help to curate the department’s Price Caldwell Visiting Writers Series and the Institute for the Humanities’ Writer-in-Residence Program (recent visitors for these programs include Joy Harjo, Rita Dove, Dorothy Allison, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Marcus Wicker, Maggie Smith, Jess Walter, and Terrance Hayes). The candidate will also have the option of editing the literary journal Jabberwock Review, which comes with a course release.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must complete a M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing, or related field by the time of appointment. Publications and professional service are required for tenure and promotion.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes

Preferred Qualifications:

We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and service, to the diversity and excellence of our academic community.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Interested candidates should submit an application online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/ along with a cover letter, CV, and writing sample of 15-25 pages. For further information about this position, please contact Dan Punday, department head and search committee chair, at dpunday@english.msstate.edu. Application review will begin on Dec. 15 and continue until filled. MSU is a public, land-grant institution and is classified as a “very high research activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.