Job Location : Urbana,IL, USA
The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Illinois invites applications for a full-time tenure track position in transcultural German studies. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an expected start date of August 16, 2026. Successful candidates are expected to teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, establish and maintain an active and independent research program, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.
Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in German Studies or a related area and show evidence of research and teaching effectiveness. Fluency in spoken and written German at the highest level of proficiency is essential. Knowledge of other languages is desirable as we seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and strengthen our emphasis on transcultural and transnational studies.
Preferred areas of research specialization include but are not limited to: minoritized groups in German society; migration and the history of migration to and from German-speaking countries; multilingualism and the German language; racial (in)justice in German history and society; Black German Studies; the postcolonial condition and its consequences for German-speaking societies today; the history of antisemitism in German-speaking countries; the impact of globalization on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and their position in Europe; intercultural communication in Europe; the issue of (multidirectional) memory and cultural difference in German-language communities.
Candidates with emerging expertise in public-facing, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research and teaching are also strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from scholars whose work expands beyond the canonical study of German-speaking culture and brings a variety of transversal, interdisciplinary and ethically informed perspectives to the field. Demonstrated familiarity with both online and in-person pedagogical practices is desirable. Successful candidates should be prepared to engage with diverse students across the liberal arts and actively attract them to the study of humanities. We value applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and identities through their research, teaching or service.
Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. Faculty in LAS create knowledge, address critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge, and prepare students for lives of impact in the state, nation, and globally. The budgeted salary range for the position is $77,000 to $80,000 at the Assistant Professor level, for a 9-month service basis. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. It is not typical for a beginning Assistant Professor to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for the position. Candidates whose PhD may be delayed but will complete all the Ph.D. requirements within the first appointment may be appointed at the rank of Instructor. After the Ph.D. requirement is met, the appointment will be changed to Assistant Professor.
We have an active and successful dual-career partner placement program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff. To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites: Dual Career Program Benefits Living in Champaign-Urbana
To apply, create your candidate profile through jobs.illinois.edu and submit application materials by October 31, 2025. Interested candidates should upload a letter of application addressing how they meet the required and preferred qualifications for the position, as well as a curriculum vitae, and a statement of teaching interests. We ask that all documents be uploaded in a single .pdf file as an upload in the Resume/CV section. Letters of recommendation may be requested electronically from referees at a later date. Only applications submitted through the University of Illinois Job Board will be considered. Questions about the position may be directed to ...@illinois.edu. For inquiries about application materials, email: ...@illinois.edu. For assistance with the application portal, contact the Illinois Human Resources office at 217-333-2.