Visiting Assistant Professor of Linguistics - Semantics

Description

The Department of Linguistics at Swarthmore College invites applications for a full time Visiting Assistant Professor in semantics. Starting with the fall semester of 2025, this is a three-year appointment. Reappointment may be possible.

The ideal candidate will have a primary specialization in formal semantics and will also be able to teach undergraduate-level courses in one or more of pragmatics, computational linguistics, experimental and/or quantitative methods, field methods, language acquisition, signed languages, typology, or the structure of a non-Indo-European language. In addition to Semantics, the successful candidate will regularly teach our Intro class and may be asked to supervise senior theses. They will be assigned to teach core courses and electives ranging from first year courses to upper-level seminars, according to their areas of interest and departmental needs. This position carries a teaching load of two courses per semester as well as student academic advising after the first year.

The Linguistics Department is a collaborative Tri-College curricular program involving faculty and students from Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges. All together, we have roughly 35 to 40 majors and minors per class year. The curriculum is built around theoretical linguistic analysis with connections made to descriptive research and language documentation. Classes are small, students are intense, and the opportunity for intra- and inter-disciplinary collaboration with students and colleagues is real. We encourage our faculty to include students in their research, and to use their research in their teaching. More information about the Swarthmore Linguistics Department can be found at https://www.swarthmore.edu/linguistics .

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college, located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence through diversity in its educational program and employment practices. The College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more just and inclusive society and world. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on Faculty Diversity and Excellence at Swarthmore, see http://www.swarthmore.edu/faculty-diversity-excellence/information-candidates-new-faculty .

Qualifications

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Linguistics or related discipline in hand by August 2025. Interest in undergraduate teaching and mentoring is crucial, and previous teaching/TAing experience is highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate the potential for innovative and impactful teaching and scholarship.

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit:

• A cover letter that addresses their interest in teaching at a liberal arts college and what areas of the curriculum they could teach in;
  
  
• A teaching statement discussing their teaching experience, pedagogical style, and preparation to teach undergraduates of diverse backgrounds;
  
  
• A research statement giving an overview of their research program and how they might involve undergraduate students in it;
  
  
• An up-to-date CV;
  
  
• One writing sample (publication, manuscript, or dissertation chapter);
  
  
• Names and contact information for three references who can be contacted with requests after the initial round of candidate selection.
  
  

Applications should be submitted at: apply.interfolio.com/160957 . All applications received by January 27, 2025, will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Please address any questions about the applications, the position, or our program to Emily Gasser, Associate Professor and Chair of Linguistics.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.