Assistant Professor of African American Literature

The University of Richmond Department of English invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in the 2027-2028 academic year.

We seek a teacher-scholar committed to liberal arts education with primary expertise in African American literature. Any area of specialization is welcome, including, but not limited to, global Anglophone Black literature, poetics, film and media studies, creative nonfiction, environmental humanities, and/or disability studies. The successful applicant will be appointed in the English Department, engaging in the University of Richmond’s innovative programs in the humanities as well as intellectual and cultural initiatives across departments and schools.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain excellence in both teaching and research, and to engage in service as appropriate for their stage of career. Teaching load is 2/3, with small classes ranging from first-year seminars to advanced electives. Courses offered in the English Department may be considered for elective credit in the University of Richmond’s interdisciplinary programs. The successful candidate will have proven ability to foster an inclusive, student-centered learning environment through strong teaching and mentoring, a strong record of scholarly achievement, and clear promise for an impactful research agenda. Ph.D. in English or closely allied field in hand by August 2026 required.

Online applications may be submitted at http://jobs.richmond.edu. Application materials should include a letter detailing the candidate’s research agenda and teaching interests, and discussing their commitment to creating an inclusive academic community, a curriculum vitae, and a writing sample of up to 25 pages. Candidates may also be asked, at a later date, to provide statements of research interests and teaching philosophy, as well as the names and contact information of three references who will be asked to submit letters of recommendation.

Please address any questions about the position to the search committee chair, Nathan Snaza ([email protected]). Applications should be received by October 1.

The starting salary for the position is budgeted at $85,000. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, and skills.

The University of Richmond is a private university located just a short drive from downtown Richmond, Virginia. Through its five schools and wide array of campus programming, the University combines the best qualities of a small liberal arts college and a large university. With approximately 4,000 students, an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, and more than 90% of traditional undergraduate students living on campus, the University is remarkably student-centered.

The mission of the University of Richmond is to educate in an academically challenging, intellectually vibrant, and collaborative community dedicated to the holistic development of students and the production of scholarly and creative work. A Richmond education prepares students for lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership in a diverse world. The University of Richmond’s strategic priorities are academic excellence, belonging and community, access and affordability, well-being, and experiential learning and community engagement. The University seeks to model a relentlessly welcoming and inclusive campus community that values the expression of difference in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. Our academic community strongly encourages applications that are in keeping with this commitment.