Assistant Professor

Position Function:

The Department of English seeks a poet for a tenure-track assistant professor position to begin August 2025. M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing (or degree conferred by 8/15/2025) and college teaching experience required.

Salary Grade : UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University is a public, land-grant institution and is classified as a “very high research activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation. The Department of English is a vibrant, interdisciplinary department with faculty who specialize in literature, creative writing, writing studies, film, and linguistics. The Department offers a BA and MA in English as well as undergraduate minors in English, Linguistics, Film, and Creative Writing.

Area of Specialization:

Creative Writing-Poetry

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2025

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, intermediate and advanced poetry workshops, and directing creative theses in poetry 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. The candidate will also have the option of editing the literary journal Jabberwock Review, which comes with a course release.Publications and professional service are required for tenure and promotion.

Minimum Qualifications:

M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing (or degree conferred by 8/15/2025) and college teaching experience required. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Instructions for Applying:

Interested candidates should submit an application online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/ along with a cover letter, CV, and writing sample of up to 10 pages of poetry. For further information about this position, please contact Lara Dodds, department head and search committee chair, at ldodds@english.msstate.edu. Application review will begin on October 28, 2024 and continue until filled.

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.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu .

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.