Instructional Professor Open Rank University Writing Program Job at The Universi

Position Description

The College at the University of Chicago invites applications for appointment as Instructional Professor at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full in the University Writing Program. This is a full-time, career-track teaching position. The initial appointment term is from three to five years depending on rank and will begin on September 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The salary is competitive and includes benefits. The position is renewable with opportunity for promotion within the Instructional Professor track based on performance review and College recommendation.

Successful candidates will join the University Writing Program (UWP) at a moment of transformation: the UWP is in the process of launching a new, universal, interdisciplinary first-year writing course as part of a broader strategic plan to enrich writing instruction across the curriculum and in the disciplines throughout the University. Housed in the College’s Office of Research and Teaching Innovations (ORTI), the UWP contributes to ORTI’s principal mission to strengthen, transform, and extend liberal arts learning in the College and beyond. New colleagues will contribute to a dynamic, interdisciplinary community of teacher-scholars at a leading urban research university committed to critical inquiry and free expression.

The UWP Instructional Professor’s primary responsibility will be to teach small, seminar-style, writing-intensive courses—up to six quarter-length courses per year—in accordance with curricular and assignment guidelines developed by the UWP. In addition to teaching sections of first-year writing courses, Instructional Professors may have the opportunity to develop and teach courses related to public and community-oriented writing, multimodal composition, and advanced research writing (including the UWP’s historic flagship course, Academic and Professional Writing, commonly known as “Little Red Schoolhouse”). Further responsibilities will include contributing to co-curricular and administrative programmatic initiatives aimed at enhancing the culture of writing instruction in the College, and to relevant professional development initiatives related to writing pedagogy.

We welcome applications from candidates with strong interest and experience in writing pedagogy from all fields of study in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The terms and conditions of this position are described in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Chicago and the Service Employees International Union.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate (or doctorate expected to be completed by position start date) or other terminal degree with relevant teaching experience. Because the UWP is an interdisciplinary unit, there are no restrictions on disciplinary expertise. Candidates with degrees from any academic field (including those taught in the University’s schools and divisions, as well as Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies) are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated high-level effectiveness in college-level writing instruction, including at least three years of professional teaching experience (may include professional teaching experience as part of a graduate program).
• Strong academic writing abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and/or implementing skills-based curricula emphasizing critical inquiry, creative thinking, close reading, analysis, research, drafting, and revision.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with outstanding students from diverse backgrounds (culturally, linguistically, socioeconomically, educationally, etc.)
• Experience mentoring or providing professional development for writing faculty and instructors.
• Intellectual curiosity, strong interpersonal skills, commitment to strengths-based pedagogical practices, and eagerness to contribute to the mission of an interdisciplinary, independent writing program motivated by the University of Chicago’s values.

Application Instructions

The open-rank Instructional Professor search is open until filled. The review of applications will begin on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and will continue until positions are filled or the search is closed.

Candidates must apply through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website: https://apply.interfolio.com/159757. All applicants will be asked to upload the following materials:

• A current CV, including full legal name
• A 1–2-page cover letter describing your interest in the position, approach to teaching writing, experience as a writer and researcher, and relevant undergraduate teaching experience
• A teaching statement to complement what you discuss in your cover letter, not to exceed 750 words
• Syllabi for two courses previously taught

Further materials and references will be requested at subsequent stages of the search. If you have questions, please contact the Executive Director of the University Writing Program and chair of the search committee, Abigail Reardon, at uwpsearch@uchicago.edu.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.