The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago seeks candidates for a position of Assistant Professor in Francophone literatures and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa and/or the Atlantic world, including the Caribbean, focusing on any period from the 18th to the 21st centuries, to begin July 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Successful candidates will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor. Successful candidates at an early career stage may be offered the option of accepting an initial two-year appointment as Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Instructor. This initial period is intended to serve in lieu of a traditional postdoctoral appointment and is designed to support early-career scholars as they prepare for a review for promotion to Assistant Professor at the end of their two-year term. Candidates who are offered the option of appointment as Postdoctoral Fellow and accept will have a reduced course load during the term of appointment and join a cohort of Fellows to participate in programming designed to support their entry into the professorial ranks.

The successful candidate will have an active research agenda evidenced by publication in leading venues in their field or the potential to develop such a publication record, the ability or potential to be an excellent teacher and mentor at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and superior proficiency in French. In addition to knowledge of canonical figures and other writers and intellectuals, a strong theoretical background is required. Additional desiderata include (but are not limited to): research in film; theater and performance; gender studies; multilingualism; diaspora and migration; ecocriticism; digital humanities; expertise in Francophone literatures or cultural production from the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Ocean, East Asia, and Québec. The ability to work in languages besides French is highly desirable, as we expect the successful candidate to collaborate with faculty within and beyond our department.

All requirements for receipt of a PhD in a relevant field must be completed prior to the start of the appointment.

In order to be considered, applicants must upload the following materials to the University’s Academic Recruitment site at http://apply.interfolio.com/131170

• cover letter
• cv
• research statement (one page max)
• writing sample (25 pages max, in English or in French)

All materials must be received by 11pm Central Time/Midnight Eastern Time on October 16th. Applicants must also request three letters of recommendation through the system. Letters must be received by November 1st. Candidates may be asked for additional materials at a later stage of the process.

For questions about the position, please contact jhurtart@uchicago.edu . 

Position contingent on final budgetary approval.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity .

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination .

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.