Assistant Professor, English Department (9 Mo, TT)

Samford University; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for an Assistant Professor of English, beginning August 2027. The position seeks a writer of fiction and/or nonfiction with secondary expertise in digital literacies, technologies of writing and research, and multimodal composition, with a 24‑credit‑hour teaching load per academic year.

Qualified candidates hold MFA in creative writing and/or PhD or ABD in English; have a publication record; and be prepared to equip

Qualifications

• Must hold MFA in creative writing and/or PhD or ABD in English; publication record required.
• Experience teaching first-year writing is encouraged; must equip students for digital landscape and emerging tech.
• Commitment to excellent teaching, student development and mentorship, and collegial collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Teach advanced and introductory English courses for the department.
• Teach first-year writing courses for the General Education program.
• Engage in active research and service for department, college, university, and community.
• Collaborate with colleagues to advance program goals and student success.

Skills

Publication history

Digital literacies

First-year writing instruction

Education

MFA in creative writing

PhD or ABD in English

Job description

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

(9-month, Tenure-Track Appointment)

September 2, 2026

Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to submit applications for a position as Assistant Professor of English, beginning August 2027. We seek a writer of fiction and/or nonfiction with secondary expertise in digital literacies, technologies of writing and research, and/or multimodal composition. This tenure-track position carries a twenty-four (24) credit hour teaching load per academic year, as well as expectations for active research and service. Teaching will include advanced and introductory courses for the Department and first‑year writing courses for the General Education program. A robust and realistic scholarly agenda is expected, as is service to department, college, university, and community initiatives.

Qualified candidates must hold an MFA in creative writing and/or a PhD or ABD, near completion, in English; have a publication record as a writer of fiction or nonfiction; and be prepared to equip students to navigate the current digital landscape and utilize emerging technologies and AI. Applicants with secondary expertise in digital studies, digital literacies, and/or digital media are encouraged to apply. Applicants with training and experience teaching first‑year writing are also encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be committed to excellent teaching, student development and mentorship, and collegial collaboration. ABD candidates will be hired at the rank of Instructor, with a commensurate salary, until Ph.D. is completed.

English studies has been a central focus of Samford University since the university’s founding in 1841, when the original institution was called the Howard College of English and Classical Studies. Fourteen faculty members serve approximately sixty majors in a traditional BA program of writing and literary study, in optional concentrations in Writing and Film, and minors in English, Film and Video Studies, and Writing. The department supports a master’s degree program in Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education and cooperates with Samford University’s 3‑3 program in the Cumberland School of Law. For more information, see Samford’s English Department here.

Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford samford.edu is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools with 450 full‑time faculty. Samford is ranked #3 in the nation for career preparation and #8 in the nation for student learning opportunities as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2026). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.

Review of applications will begin November 15, 2026, and applications will be accepted until January 15, 2027. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience. The successful candidate must pass a background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visa for this position.

Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Brad Busbee ([e-mail]).

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith‑based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.