Assistant Professor of Transnational Latin American & Latinx Cultural Studies

Rice University: School of Humanities: Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Transnational Latin American & Latinx Cultural Studies
Location: Houston, Texas

Position Type: Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty
Position URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/130442

Open Date: August 18, 2023
Deadline: October 25, 2023

Description
Rice University’s Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant professor in transnational Latin American & Latinx cultural studies, with the ability to teach content courses in English & Spanish and/or Portuguese; period is open. We seek a promising researcher and outstanding teacher who is actively committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek a communicative, collegial, and energetic team player who will thrive in the dynamic environment of a small, highly selective research university that attracts top students and offers excellent conditions for research.

The School of Humanities and the Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures are in an auspicious process of transformation and growth with a number of initiatives in the collaborative and interdisciplinary humanities. The Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures leads the Initiative for the Study of Latinx America at Rice (ISLA), which plans to build a Center of Latin American and Latinx Studies. This appointment would be key in consolidating this innovative and strategic campus-wide initiative.

In addition to their role in Latin American and Latinx Studies and Spanish (and/or Portuguese), any candidate for this position is expected to directly contribute to other rapidly growing interdisciplinary programs in the School of Humanities, such as environmental humanities, gender and sexuality studies, medical humanities; science and technology studies, or politics, law & social thought.

Given the transnational and global focus of the Department and ISLA, we are especially interested in scholars with a transnational focus and the ability to bridge Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies. We are also particularly interested in scholars who think about Latinx America, latinidades, and beyond in relation to Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, and work in transpacific, transatlantic, and/or global Lusophone studies. Period is open but we specifically encourage scholars working on precolonial, colonial or nineteenth century to apply. We also specifically welcome applications by scholars working in Indigenous studies.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Latin American Studies, Latinx/o Studies, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Comparative Literature, or related field by July 1, 2024. Must have native or near-native ability to read, write and speak Spanish and/or Portuguese and English. Proficiency in languages is demonstrated by successfully completing a Rice video/audio interview during the interview process.

In addition to maintaining an active research agenda, the successful candidate will teach four courses in a normal academic year. Applicants must be committed to superior undergraduate teaching but opportunities for advising and teaching Ph.D. students in other humanities disciplines exist. A graduate certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies is also in preparation.

Rice University, located in the vibrant and diverse city of Houston, Texas, is a comprehensive and highly selective private research university with a student body of over 8,000 (undergraduate and graduate students). It is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching in the U.S. The Department has six programs: Classical Studies, European Studies, French Studies, German Studies, Latin American and Latinx Studies, and Spanish and Portuguese; it collaborates closely with the Center for Language and Intercultural Communication (CLIC). General information about the department can be found at https://cultures.rice.edu. Questions about the position may be addressed to Professor Sophie Esch (sophie.esch@rice.edu).

Please submit your application by October 25, 2023. Application materials must include a letter of application, CV, teaching statement, diversity statement, three letters of recommendation, and two writing samples of approximately twenty pages each. Finalists will also be asked for teaching evaluations (if available).