Job no: 502361
Work type: Faculty Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Judaic & Near Eastern Studies
Union: MSP
Categories: Faculty

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time nine-month tenure-track faculty position in Jewish history at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2020.

Applications from specialists in any subfield and geographic nexus of Jewish history will be considered, although the Department expects to complement, rather than amplify, existing strength in modern history. Interests in connecting across disciplines and in working with departmental colleagues in Middle Eastern Studies are useful. The successful candidate should be able to teach the Department’s two survey Jewish history courses (ancient to medieval, medieval to modern), as well as upper-level courses in their area of specialization.

The Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies currently consists of eight tenure-stream faculty, several continuous lecturers, and numerous affiliates. It serves as the focal point on campus for undergraduate study and multi-disciplinary research in the fields of Judaic and Middle Eastern Studies.

Requirements

Ph.D. in History, Jewish Studies, or a related field is required by the date of appointment. Evidence of excellent scholarship, fluency in Hebrew, and, if possible, an additional Jewish language, a strong commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching, and willingness to mentor graduate students and serve on departmental committees, are all required.

Additional Information

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the University offers an attractive benefits package.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter; curriculum vitae; graduate transcript; a sample of scholarly writing of no more than 40 pages; evidence of relevant teaching experience; a statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which describes your past, current, and anticipated contributions in these areas through research, teaching and service; and a list of three current referees with full contact information including valid email addresses.

Applicants should apply by the priority deadline of November 15, 2019 to ensure full consideration. Interviews may be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Jewish Studies in San Diego in December 2019.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

Advertised: Sep 9 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: