Assistant Professor

Job Summary:

The Department of German, Nordic, and Slavic+ at the University of Wisconsin - Madison invites applications for a tenure-track faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor. We are seeking scholars with an active research program in the field of Yiddish literature/culture with the demonstrated ability to teach Yiddish language and at the university level. The selected candidate will be committed to advancing an innovative research agenda, to working with colleagues to develop a Yiddish language sequence, and to supporting a robust Yiddish studies curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

We welcome applicants working across the field of Yiddish literature/culture in areas that complement current departmental strengths. We especially encourage applications from those with research profiles in such areas as 1) East Central European studies; 2) folklore studies and ethnography; 3) media studies and visual culture; 4) religious studies; 5) gender and women's studies. The time period and geographic area of specialization are open.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and undergraduate student mentoring. They will contribute to an inclusive, fair, and equitable environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

Responsibilities:

This is a full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty position to begin August 18, 2025. The standard faculty teaching assignment is four courses each academic year (two courses each semester). Candidates will be expected to be engaged in significant scholarly research and publication at the national and international levels. Service duties in the department as well as at the university and professional levels as appropriate for faculty rank will be required.

The successful candidate, as a member of the College of Letters & Science, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college's commitment to equity among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
PhD in Yiddish studies or similar by appointment start date.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must be capable of teaching Yiddish language at all levels of the curriculum as well as courses in Yiddish literature/culture. Candidates should demonstrate evidence of creativity and excellence in teaching and research. Candidates must have at least one year of post-secondary teaching experience by start of appointment. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience with fostering or the ability to foster an inclusive and equity-centered teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Anticipated Begin Date:

AUGUST 18, 2025

Salary:

Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)

Additional Information:

The College of Letters & Science is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all of us - students, staff, and faculty - can thrive. Ours is a community in which we all are welcome. Most importantly, we strive to build a community in which all of us feel a great sense of belonging. There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms; diverse teams are more creative and successful than homogenous ones. We are better when we are diverse and when we acknowledge, celebrate, and honor our diversity. In acknowledging and honoring our diversity, we also assume a responsibility to support and stand up for each other.

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/. 

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (https://uwpd.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/09/2024-ASR.pdf) contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW - Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department at uwpolice@mhub.uwpd.wisc.edu. 

How to Apply:

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under job number 307379. Applications must be received through UW - Madison's online application system. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. Applicants should submit the following 4 items:

1. a cover letter of application,
2. curriculum vitae,
3. a teaching statement and evidence of effective teaching (maximum 10 pages),
4. a writing sample (maximum 30 pages)

Candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three references; each reference will receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference. References will be automatically contacted at the time of application submission. 

For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59 p.m, on December 2, 2024. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Your cover letter should address the following: 1) your research field and how your research trajectory will enable you to achieve tenure at an R1 institution; 2) how you are prepared to teach Yiddish language at all levels of the curriculum.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Contact:

Jolanda Taylor
jvtaylor@wisc.edu
608-262-2192
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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Official Title:

Assistant Professor(FA040)

Department(s):

A48-COL OF LETTERS & SCIENCE/GERMAN NORDIC & SLAVIC

Employment Class:

Faculty

Job Number:

307379-FA

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.