Assistant Professor of Humanities and Ethics

Valparaiso University invites applications for the position of assistant professor, in Christ College—the Honors College (valpo.edu/christ-college). Valparaiso University (“Valpo”), a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, prepares students to lead and serve both church and society. Located one hour southeast of Chicago on a 310-acre campus, Valpo is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students.

Christ College, the interdisciplinary honors college of Valparaiso University, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the assistant level, beginning August 2027.  

The college seeks candidates from across the humanities and social sciences whose teaching and scholarship is in ethics, broadly construed: we are particularly interested in those who are interested in teaching at the intersection of ethics and technology, society, and/or health. Candidates will carry a 4/3 teaching schedule and will teach regularly in the interdisciplinary first-year program “Texts and Contexts,” which is rooted in a Great Conversations, or Transformative Texts approach. In addition to teaching, Christ College faculty conduct scholarship in their respective fields (with professional development fund support) and engage in a lively community of learning. Candidates will be in sympathy with the Lutheran mission of the University. The expected starting salary will be in the range $56,000-60,000, depending on experience.

Christ College — The Honors College at Valparaiso University offers the benefits of a selective liberal arts college to Valpo’s most ambitious students. In keeping with Valpo’s mission, throughout its nearly 60-year history, the College has strived to keep alive certain vital questions, including the relationship between religious faith and the pursuit of truth. The College is an interdisciplinary academic unit with a full-time faculty of six who work closely with talented and motivated students. Christ College students represent majors from all disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences as well as from Valpo’s three professional colleges. Emulating the Cambridge-Oxford model, students examine topics in engaging, discussion-focused seminar classes. All faculty appointments are housed in the honors college, rather than jointly appointed. For more information about the Christ College Curriculum please see: valpo.edu/christ-college/curriculum.

 Qualifications include:

• Experience teaching undergraduate classes in any field of the humanities or ethics.
• Must have a Ph.D. in hand (by June 2027).
• Excited about in-person teaching in an engaged community of learning.
• Experience teaching writing at the first-year level is a plus.

As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we encourage applicants with a commitment to, and experience in, mentoring students from an array of backgrounds.

Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement (one page), research statement (one page), and contact information for three references to Interfolio at: https://apply.interfolio.com/195168

Candidates who submit names of references should expect that the search committee will contact these references in confidence and that credentials will be confirmed prior to hire. Employment will require a satisfactory criminal background check.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by November 15 for timely consideration.

About the Community:

Valpo is located in Valparaiso Indiana, a county seat of 35,000 residents with high quality schools and an active social community located 50 miles from downtown Chicago and only 14 miles from the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Park. Valparaiso is home to 13 city parks, over 20 miles of bike trails, and award-winning downtown gathering spaces that house year-round community events including: the Popcorn Festival, music concerts, ice skating, farmer’s markets and more. The city was built to support neighborhood activities, with most neighborhoods being within walking distance of parks, schools, and communal spaces. With the university located less than one mile from downtown, its central location within the community makes it easy for employees to enjoy the growing amenities the city has to offer. Valparaiso has been recognized as one of the top communities in Indiana and is in one of the fastest growing counties in the state. It is an area that continues to show economic growth and diversification of its residents.

EOE and Nondiscrimination Policies:

Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to employ persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support a diverse community. Its EOE policy can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds. In addition to strong academic qualifications and excellence in teaching, the University highly values experience in working across cultural and other significant differences. Employment at Valparaiso University will require a satisfactory criminal background check.

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Valparaiso University is a welcoming community, grounded in the Lutheran tradition, built on values of mutual respect, positive regard, freedom, and reliance on grace. We strive to boldly include all individuals and groups who contribute to the life of our campus in a mutually beneficial way. Difference is a strength and reason for celebration, and we affirm that we are most inclusive when we bring groups together to make decisions in collaborative, equitable ways. Our values do not support language or behavior that demeans members of our campus based on age, appearance, ethnicity, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex, disabilities (mental and physical), ideological/political positions, intellectual perspective, socio-economic status, immigration status, veteran status, and national or regional origin. Actions and behaviors based on positions or perspectives that inherently marginalize, oppress, or deny full dignity to all are not tolerated. Nothing herein shall limit academic freedom or the freedom of expression pursuant to University policy related to either. As such, we will consistently and vigilantly assess our academic and co-curricular offerings and our admissions, hiring, and promotion policies in reflection of these values.