Assistant Professor of English in African American and/or African Diaspora Literature

The Department of English, with more than 30 full-time faculty and approximately 250 majors and 60 graduate students, offers BA and MA degrees with area emphases in Creative Writing, Literature and Culture, Children's Literature, Linguistics, English Education, and Professional/Technical Writing. The department is housed in the College of Humanities and Earth and Social Sciences ( CHESS).

As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, CHESS houses 15 departments, 18 interdisciplinary programs, and 6 applied centers, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university's goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College's 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration.

UNC Charlotte is an R-1 university, and the only research university in North Carolina's largest metropolitan area. As the second-largest institution in the UNC System, we transform lives, communities, and industries through accessible and affordable education, offering exemplary bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional programs. Our commitment to scholarship, innovation, and service drives our contributions to the ever-evolving needs of society. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on real-world applications, we prepare our graduates to excel in their careers and lead with purpose and integrity in a rapidly changing world.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals.
Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work.
Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member's discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work.
Service to University, the Public, and the Profession - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession.

This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate's or the university's eligibility for federal funding.

To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://facultyhandbooks.charlotte.edu/full-time-faculty-handbook/

Assistant Professors are invested in working closely with and mentoring English undergraduate and graduate students, and fully participating in service to the English Department, with opportunities to serve the institution at large. We are also interested in candidates who can work collaboratively with faculty and students from a wide range of disciplines, cultures, and academic backgrounds. Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university. Teaching for this position may include special topics courses for B.A. and M.A. students, honors seminars, surveys, and general education courses. The teaching load for research-intensive faculty is 2/2.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

By the time of appointment, the successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in English (during the selection process, ABD candidates will be required to submit a letter from their dissertation advisor guaranteeing completion of the degree by the time of appointment).

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a position of Assistant Professor of English specializing in African American and/or African Diaspora literature, beginning August 2027. The appointment is a 9-month tenure-track position.

Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university.

Please apply online at https://jobs.charlotte.edu with the following materials: a letter of application; curriculum vitae; a research statement; a teaching statement that addresses how the candidate's teaching practices engage all students and eliminate barriers to learning; a writing sample of no more than 25 pages; unofficial transcripts; and contact information for three references. Preliminary interviews will be conducted via Zoom. The candidate selected for this position will be required to submit their official transcripts of their highest degree upon hire. The candidate chosen for this position will subject to a criminal background check. Hiring is subject to budget availability.

Screening of applicants will begin on November 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled; applications received before November 16 will be prioritized. Please direct inquiries to the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Lara Vetter, at LVetter@charlotte.edu.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment.