Professor of English — Asian American Literature (Open Rank)

Description

The Department of English Literature at Swarthmore College seeks to hire a full-time faculty member in Asian American literature at the tenure-track assistant or associate professor rank, depending on qualifications and experience. This position will begin in Fall 2026, and carries a teaching load of 4 courses per year.

Candidates should hold a PhD in English or in another appropriate interdisciplinary field with a specialization in literary study. Our new colleague will be responsible for developing and teaching courses in Asian American literature and culture at all levels of our curriculum, from beginning to advanced, and we welcome candidates who are equipped to teach our junior seminar on literary and critical theory, a requirement for our major. Finally, the Tri-College Consortium, of which Swarthmore is a member, has recently established an Asian American Studies Program offering an undergraduate minor, and we encourage applicants whose research, teaching, community engagement, or other experiences will allow them to contribute to this interdisciplinary program in meaningful ways.

Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington DE, Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable experience effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body. For more information available to all faculty at Swarthmore, see https://www.swarthmore.edu/provosts-office/welcome-to-provosts-office

Qualifications

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in English or related interdisciplinary field with a specialization in literary study (in hand by July 1, 2026). The strongest candidates will demonstrate the potential for exceptional scholarship, as well as a passion for innovative teaching and a dedication to mentoring undergraduates of diverse backgrounds and identities.

Application Instructions

Inital applications will consist of (1) a cover letter addressing their scholarship, as well as their teaching, mentoring, and other relevant qualifications, (2) a CV, and (3) a writing sample of no more than 25 pages. Applicants who move forward after our initial review of applications should be prepared to submit an additional writing sample and at least three letters of recommendation, as well as a teaching statement and/or syllabi. Please direct any questions about the search to englishdepartmentsearch@swarthmore.edu. 

All application materials should be submitted using lnterfolio at apply.interfolio.com/174493. All applications received by November 1, 2025 will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to working effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body.