Assistant Professor of American Studies

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27025

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

William G. Thomas III

Dean

College of Letters & Science

[email protected]

Classification Title

Working Title Assistant Professor of American Studies

Brief Position Overview

The College of Letters & Science at Montana State University seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant professor specializing in American Studies beginning August 15, 2027.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Assistant Professor

Position Number 4A0622

Department American Studies

Division College of Letters & Science

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Academic Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The American Studies Program at Montana State University ( MSU ), Bozeman, seeks to hire an assistant professor with the ability to work professionally and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and has the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the land-grant mission of Montana State University.

Candidates must demonstrate a record of scholarship and training in American Studies or a relevant field, an interdisciplinary research program, and the potential to be an outstanding and effective teacher at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in place-based studies, environmental humanities, historical geography, western American studies, or related fields.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position will be a full-time, tenure-track appointment with primary responsibilities in research and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in American Studies, as well as in the department in which tenure will reside. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in outreach and service in the state of Montana and the broader community. The teaching load will be consistent with faculty in the department where tenure resides.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Ph.D. in American Studies or a related field by start date.

• Demonstrated potential for excellence in both teaching and scholarship.

• Teaching record demonstrating the ability to offer courses in American Studies or a related field at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Potential to conduct research and teach in critical theory and research methods.

• Successful record of fellowships or grants, or experience with externally funded research.

• Interest and ability to contribute to the College’s programs and expertise in place-based studies, such as environmental humanities, historical geography, western American studies, or related fields.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be a dynamic teacher and scholar.

• Have the ability to inspire and mentor students.

• Have excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Be committed to supporting, promoting, and building a whole community, which includes people of many backgrounds, through research, teaching, and service.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The American Studies Program at Montana State University is an interdisciplinary doctoral and master’s graduate degree program which also offers undergraduate courses and electives. The program provides students with a deep understanding of the history, literature, arts, politics, regions and identities of North America and the U.S. The program emphasizes the complexity and variation in the experience of American lives and prepares students to help address the important and profound questions of the world today. The program connects students with interdisciplinary research centers, such as the Ivan Doig Center for the Study of the Lands and Peoples of the North American West; the Geospatial Core Facility; the Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence; and the Center for Science, Technology, Ethics and Society.

The Department

The College

The College of Letters and Science ( CLS ), the largest center for learning, teaching and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and mathematical sciences.

Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. CLS is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. CLS is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 11, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

As part of your application, please upload the following required documents:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications

• Research Statement (max 2 pages)

• Teaching Statement (max 2 pages)

Letters of Recommendation and Reference Calls: All applicants will be required to provide a minimum of three references during the application process. Upon submission of the application, references will be contacted automatically by email to request a letter of recommendation, due by the screening date (please notify your references in advance). References for finalist(s) will also be contacted by phone during the finalist stage.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.