Department: English
Rank: Assistant Professor
About the Position: The Department of English at The University of Alabama in Huntsville invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in Science Fiction and Speculative Literature. The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in English, Literary Studies, or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in science fiction and/or speculative literature studies. Special consideration will be given to those with complementary expertise in African American literature, literatures of the American South, and/or Critical Theory.
The successful candidate will contribute to the department's undergraduate and graduate programs with a preference for those capable of developing classes for both traditional and online modes of instruction. Teaching responsibilities will include themed sophomore literature surveys like “Speculative Realities,” upper-division courses in science fiction and speculative literature, and graduate seminars structured around chosen topics that expand the department’s range of class offerings for M.A. students. Depending on the candidate’s expertise, additional teaching responsibilities may include EH 403/503 Literary Criticism and Theory and EH 615 Critical Theory. Candidates must also be willing to direct and serve as an additional reader on graduate theses and capstone projects. The successful candidate will also contribute to teaching methods and research courses within a growing Interdisciplinary Studies program.
The regular teaching load is three courses (9 credit hours) per semester. The successful candidate will also be expected to maintain an active research agenda and contribute service to the department, college, university, and profession. In addition to regular support by university and college funds, UAH's Humanities Center provides additional opportunities for research support, conference travel, and public humanities programming initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in English, Literary Studies, or a related discipline, with a research focus in science fiction and/or speculative literature.
- Demonstrated expertise in science fiction and/or speculative literature.
- Evidence of successful teaching or demonstrated potential for effective teaching in science fiction, speculative literature, and other literature classes at the university level.
- An active research agenda engaging with some area of science fiction and/or speculative literature studies.
- Willingness and ability to teach research methods and capstone courses in the Interdisciplinary Studies program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Record of scholarly publication or demonstrated potential for significant scholarship in the field of science fiction and/or speculative literature studies.
- Secondary expertise in African American Studies, New Southern Studies, and/or literary and cultural theory.
- Evidence of successful teaching or demonstrated potential for effective teaching of African American literature, literatures of the U.S. South, and/or literary and cultural theory.
- Demonstrated experience developing and delivering effective online undergraduate or graduate instruction is strongly preferred.
- Ability to contribute to graduate instruction, student mentorship, and curriculum development.
- Priority will be given to candidates whose research and teaching complement or enhance existing strengths in undergraduate research mentorship and interdisciplinary projects.
Appointment Date: Fall 2027
About the Department: The Department of English at The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers undergraduate and graduate programs in literature, Creative Writing, and Technical and Professional Communication. The department's redesigned B.A. in English includes concentrations in these three areas, complemented by minors in literature, Creative Writing, and Technical Writing. The department also offers an M.A. in English and graduate certificates in Technical Communication and User Experience. In addition to serving English majors and minors, the department provides First-Year Writing and general education literature courses for students across the university. Faculty contribute to interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship and support the university's commitment to student success through undergraduate and graduate instruction, mentorship, and community engagement. Applicants can find more information about the Department of English at https://www.uah.edu/ahs/departments/english.
About the College: The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at The University of Alabama in Huntsville has nine departments, supporting sixteen bachelor’s degree programs, three master’s programs, one Ph.D. program, and five certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Our college is housed across three separate buildings on campus, including the newly refurbished Morton Hall, with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research and creative activity. Our class sizes are relatively small, and our faculty are committed to students’ success. Applicants may find more information about the College, the University, and Huntsville at https://www.uah.edu/ahs/prospective-faculty.
About the University: Founded in 1969, The University of Alabama in Huntsville is one of America’s premier doctoral-granting, comprehensive universities known for addressing some of the world’s most critical technological challenges. UAH, a part of the University of Alabama System, offers an environment where students are able to explore, discover, create and communicate knowledge. UAH has eight colleges, more than 100 areas of study, and 17 high-tech research centers and institutes. Located in the heart of the Technology Hub of the South, UAH serves as the anchor tenant of the second-largest research park in the United States, Cummings Research Park. UAH boasts storied partnerships with Redstone Arsenal, NASA and the Department of Defense. The institution is a member of the Gulf South athletic conference. UAH is where technology and human understanding converge to prepare students to transform their future. Learn more about the University on the UAH website: https://www.uah.edu.
About Huntsville: Defense, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, diversified manufacturing and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work in Huntsville, also known as the Rocket City. The area enjoys a favorable cost of living and quality of life in the Southeast. More than 1.2 million people reside in the Huntsville metro area, and it is now the largest city in Alabama. From outdoor recreational activities to an enhanced arts and entertainment community, Huntsville contributes to a wonderful way to live, work, and play. More information about our city is available on the City of Huntsville website: https://www.huntsville.org.
Application Procedure and Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue through December 1, 2026. Applicants should submit a letter of interest (describing their qualifications for the position, including relevant research and teaching experience), a writing sample, a teaching philosophy, and a curriculum vitae.
Submit applications to Dr. Chad Thomas at eh@uah.edu. Please include the words “SF Application” in the subject line. Please direct any questions related to the position to Dr. Chad Thomas at cat0009@uah.edu. Also, please include log number 27-28-423 when applying.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
