Assistant Professor - French

Position Information

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

This position is contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding.

Employment Status

Faculty/Type Title

Assistant Professor - French

Area of Study

Begins

Fall 2027

About the College

Spelman College seeks teacher/scholars dedicated to excellence in teaching and to the continued enhancement of the academic environment for students and colleagues. Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a private four-year liberal arts college located in Atlanta, GA. The oldest historically Black college for women in the United States, Spelman is a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium and Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education.

Position Description

The Department of World Languages and Cultures at Spelman College seeks a dynamic scholar-teacher for the Fall 2027 academic year specializing in Global Francophone Studies, whose research engages the French-speaking world through transnational, comparative, or interdisciplinary perspectives. We are particularly interested in candidates whose scholarship expands the intellectual and geographic reach of French and Francophone Studies and fosters connections across disciplines.

The successful candidate will teach French language courses at multiple levels and advanced courses in French and/or English aligned with their research expertise. The ability to develop interdisciplinary courses and innovative curricula, including French for the Professions, community-engaged learning, or digital humanities, is desirable.

Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to, Francophone Africa and the Caribbean; African and African diasporic studies; Black European studies; migration and diaspora; colonialism, postcolonialism, and decoloniality; race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; environmental humanities; visual and digital cultures; and media and performance studies. Candidates whose research explores emerging interdisciplinary approaches to Francophone cultural production and connects French and Francophone Studies with other fields are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will maintain an active scholarly research agenda, demonstrate a strong commitment to liberal arts education and undergraduate student development, and contribute to the intellectual community of the College. Responsibilities include teaching and mentoring students, conducting scholarly research, contributing to curricular development, advising students, and participating in departmental and institutional service.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in French, Francophone Studies, or a closely related field by the time of appointment, demonstrate native or near-native fluency in French and English, and have college-level teaching experience with evidence of effective undergraduate instruction.

Preference will be given to candidates whose research and teaching engage the histories, cultures, and experiences of women and people of African descent and who demonstrate a commitment to mentoring underrepresented students. Interest in study abroad, international education, experiential learning, and partnerships within the Francophone world is also desirable.

Application Materials

• Cover letter addressing research, teaching, and the candidate’s potential contributions to the Department of World Languages and Cultures and the broader intellectual community at Spelman College
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement describing the candidate’s current scholarly agenda and future research trajectory
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (contact info only)
• Graduate transcript(s)

Review of applications will begin January 7, 2027, and will continue until the position is filled. The first round of interviews will be conducted via Zoom, and finalists will be invited to a campus visit in Spring 2027.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

F754P

Open Date

11/10/2026

Close Date

01/07/2027

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Any correspondence regarding the position or your application will be relayed to you by our Faculty Affairs Team. Please do not reach out to any department faculty regarding the position or status of your application. We appreciate your interest and consideration.

EEO Statement

Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.

Deadline to Receive Letter(s) of Reference

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter of Interest
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts (unofficial)
4. Research Statement
5. Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents