Assistant Professor -Polish Language, Literature, and Culture

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Polish Language, Literature, and Culture in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. The position covers Polish language, literature, and culture from early modern to contemporary times, with possible cross-disciplinary ties to Slavic or Jewish studies.

The successful candidate will teach Polish language and literature courses, mentor undergraduates and graduates, contribute to program

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree‑granting program at the time of application.
• Native or near‑native competence in Polish and in English.
• Primary specialization in Polish language, literature, and culture of any period, from the early modern to the contemporary.
• Supplementary comparative focus on the Slavic or Jewish languages, literatures, and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, and/or interdisciplinary interests in other fields.

Responsibilities

• Teaching Polish language, literature, and culture courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and contributing to program development in Polish studies.
• Engaging with the broader Slavic and East European studies community on campus and participating in department and university service.

Education

PhD (or equivalent international degree)

Job description

Assistant Professor --Polish Language, Literature, and Culture -- Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Position Overview

Salary range: $84,100-$132,900 (9-month academic year salary), however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions.

Anticipated start:07/01/2027

Application Window

Open date: August 20, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of California, Berkeley is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Polish Language, Literature, and Culture.

Area of specialization: Polish language, literature, and culture of any period, from the early modern to the contemporary.

We welcome scholars with a supplementary comparative focus on the Slavic or Jewish languages, literatures, and cultures of Central Eastern Europe, and candidates with interdisciplinary interests in other fields. The successful candidate will teach introductory and special topics courses in Polish and East/Central European Literature and Culture, as well as courses designed to appeal to a wider section of undergraduates interested in the humanities, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, supervise and help grow the department's program in Polish studies, and engage with the broader Slavic and East European studies community on campus.

Tenure-track Assistant Professors at Berkeley are expected to excel in research, teaching, and service. Elements of the position include the following: implementing a program of research that culminates in the publication of books and articles; developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate seminars and lecture courses; supervising dissertation research; overseeing and developing the department's program in Polish language, literature, and culture; and participating in various administrative activities in the Slavic department and across the University.

UC Berkeley values the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples, single parents, or those who may have taken time off for family reasons. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit Office for Faculty Equity and Welfare's website.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree‑granting program at the time of application.

Preferred qualifications

• Native or near‑native competence in Polish and in English.
• Primary specialization in Polish language, literature, and culture of any period, from the early modern to the contemporary.
• Supplementary comparative focus on the Slavic or Jewish languages, literatures, and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, and/or interdisciplinary interests in other fields.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices, and areas for future research.
• Teaching, Mentoring, and Service Statement - Teaching, Mentoring, and Service Statement: Please provide a statement discussing your prior teaching, mentoring, and service experience, teaching and mentoring approach, and future teaching and mentoring interests. This can include, for example, specific efforts and accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.
• Writing Sample 1 - Please provide a sample of your academic writing, for example a dissertation chapter, an article or book chapter in draft, or a published article or book chapter.
• Authorization to Release Information Form - An institutional reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form.

Reference requirements

• 3 letters of reference required

Applicants will be asked to name references, and the applicant must request letters to complete their application.

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1‑d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Aff… and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, or discrimination. Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to institutional reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. More information is available on this website.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Aff…

Job location

Berkeley, CA