Hiring Department
The Department of History, University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Job Description
The Department of History and the Greek Professorship at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) invite applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible Visiting Assistant Professor in Byzantine Studies and Greek-American Oral History, beginning in Fall 2027.
The position is a two-year appointment, subject to a satisfactory performance review at the end of the first year.
The successful candidate will teach courses in Greek history and culture with significant Byzantine content and direct the Oral History Project of the Greek Professorship. The project engages UMSL students in documenting the history and experiences of members of the St. Louis Greek community through recorded interviews. The successful candidate will also contribute to the broader curriculum of the Department of History and participate in the academic and public programs of the Greek Professorship.
Position Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Teach three courses per semester at the undergraduate and, where appropriate, graduate levels.
- These courses will cover Greek history and culture with significant Byzantine content, but other courses in Ancient HIstory may be required as per the needs of the Department of HIstory
- Direct the Oral History Project of the Greek Professorship.
- Train and supervise students in oral-history methods and arrange interviews between students and members of the community.
- Oversee the recording, documentation, transcription, organization, and preservation of the interviews in accordance with applicable professional and institutional standards.
- Contribute to introductory and general-education courses offered by the Department of History.
- Participate in the academic activities of the Department of History and the Greek Professorship.
- Organize public lectures and events relating to Greek studies
- Advise and mentor students with interests in Byzantine, Mediterranean, Greek, and Greek-American studies.o enter the job description.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Byzantine history, Byzantine studies, Greek History, classics, religious studies, art history, or a closely related field by the beginning of the appointment.
- A teaching and research specialization in Byzantine history or culture
- Demonstrated experience with oral-history projects and methods
- The organizational and interpersonal skills necessary to coordinate students and community participants.
- Evidence of effective university-level teaching or demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching
- The ability to teach students from a range of academic backgrounds
- The ability to contribute effectively to the Department of History and the Greek Professorship
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:
- Experience conducting oral-history projects with Greek-American or other North American ethnic communities
- A research and teaching profile that places Byzantium within the broader history of the Mediterranean, southeastern Europe, or the eastern Mediterranean
- The ability to teach broadly across more than one historical period or geographical area
- Experience teaching introductory or general-education history courses
- Competence in Byzantine-Greek and other languages relevant to the field
- Experience organizing lectures, conferences, or public programs
- A record of engagement with audiences beyond the university
Application Materials
Applicants should submit the following:
- A cover letter addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A statement of teaching philosophy and interests.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness.
- Contact information for three referees.
- Applicants must be able to start on August 20, 2027
- If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Prof. Michael Cosmopoulos, cosmopoulos@umsl.edu
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted through January, 2027
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Other Information
The Department of History offers undergraduate and graduate instruction across a broad range of chronological and geographical fields. Its faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research, student mentoring, and public engagement.
The Greek Professorship is an interdisciplinary academic and community-engagement initiative dedicated to the study of Greek history, language, archaeology, literature, and culture from antiquity to the present. It supports academic courses, study-abroad opportunities, lectures, conferences, cultural programming, and engagement with the Greek-American community. Its programs serve approximately 300 students annually and support the Certificate in Greek Studies.
Other Information
The position reports to the Chair of the Department of History. The salary is $75,000 per year, plus benefits. This is a full-time, 100-percent FTE, benefits-eligible position with no rights to tenure at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
References will be requested from finalists.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.
