Overview
Assistant Professor, 20th/21st-Century World English Literature
The Department of English at Auburn University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in 20th/21st-Century World English Literature, beginning August 15, 2027. We seek applicants whose research focuses on literary and cultural production in English from the twentieth and/or twenty-first centuries. We welcome candidates working in British literature as well as those specializing in anglophone literatures and cultures beyond Britain and the United States, including but not limited to Africa, the Caribbean, Ireland, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, East Asia, the Middle East, Indigenous communities, and diasporic contexts. Research interests may include transnational, comparative, postcolonial, decolonial, environmental, global, and related approaches to literature in English.
Applications submitted by December 1, 2026, will receive fullest consideration.
The Department of English comprises 30 tenure-line faculty and 38 full-time lecturers along with a number of post-doctoral fellows and part-time instructors. We offer the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English, and both a master’s and a graduate certificate in Technical and Professional Communication. More information about our programs can be found at https://cla.auburn.edu/english. Our award-winning faculty is engaged in a variety of research, pedagogical, and creative interests. Our scholarly books appear in distinguished university presses such as Cambridge, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana State, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia, Northwestern, Ohio State, SUNY, and Syracuse, as well as in independent presses such as the Arizona Center for Renaissance and Medieval Studies, Brill, and Routledge. Faculty creative work appears in top trade presses such as Penguin Random House and Penguin Riverhead, as well as independent presses such as Tupelo Press. Our faculty members regularly publish in their respective fields’ most important journals.
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) comprises 46 majors in a wide range of fields, including the humanities, the fine and performing arts, the social sciences, communications, health services administration, and aviation. We produce successful business leaders, industry professionals, and researchers who work in the U.S. and around the world. The CLA’s cutting-edge facilities provide the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers at the forefront of their respective fields.
Auburn, AL, is a vibrant, thriving college town and community. Southern Living recently recognized the city of Auburn as one of the top small towns in the South, and Money magazine has named Auburn “the best place to live” in Alabama. Known as the “Loveliest Village on the Plains,” Auburn offers a high quality of life, including a vibrant cultural scene at the new Gogue Performing Arts Center, SEC sports throughout the academic year, award-winning chefs and restaurants, a K-12 school system that is among the most highly-ranked in the state, and an exceptional College of Veterinary Medicine for pet care. The Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is only 90 minutes away, with multiple daily shuttle-service options to and from Auburn. Birmingham is a similar drive to the north, and Montgomery, the state capital, is only 50 minutes to the southwest.
Responsibilities
This position carries a 2-2 teaching load. Responsibilities include: in-person teaching; online teaching (as needed); core teaching (both large lecture and small class formats); upper-division undergraduate and major core teaching; graduate teaching and advising.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a highly active research program and participate in departmental and university service. Excellent communication skills required.
Please submit the following documents:
- Application letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Writing sample (article or chapter length)
- Teaching philosophy (1 page only)
- Contact information for three recommenders, and academic transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire).
Only completed application materials will be considered. The application letter and CV should be uploaded together under RESUME and all other documents should be uploaded under Additional Documents. For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. James Ryan, Search Committee Chair, at ryanjae@auburn.edu.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
PhD in English or related field by the August 15, 2027, appointment date; a clear agenda for scholarly productivity relevant to the field; and a strong commitment to collegiality in a department of English that includes majors/concentrations in creative writing, literature, and writing studies.
Desired Qualifications
Ability to teach 20th/21st-Century British and commonwealth literature. A record of publication or distinct promise of scholarly achievement; demonstrable evidence of teaching excellence generally, as well as in courses directly related to the field; interest in interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration across academic units; creative use of classroom technologies; and experience or interest in mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The candidate selected must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally during employment.
Contract Type
Continuing
Why Work at Auburn?
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
Posted Date
11/10/2026
