Cornell University - Modern Middle East - Open Rank

H-Net; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University’s Department of History seeks applicants for an open-rank tenure-track position focused on the History of the Modern Middle East, with an emphasis on Israel/Palestine after 1917. The appointee will teach courses on the Modern Middle East and contribute to research across migration, gender, law, environment, memory, and public history.

Requirements include a PhD in history or related field with specialization in Palestine/Israel, fluency in Hebrew and Arabic, and the ability to

Qualifications

• PhD in history or related field with specialization in the history of Palestine/Israel.
• Fluency in Hebrew and Arabic; proficiency in other research languages.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses on the Modern Middle East, including Palestine/Israel after 1917.
• Conduct innovative research and contribute to public history and other department interests.

Skills

Hebrew

Arabic

Education

PhD in History

Specialization in Palestine/Israel

Job description

Cornell University - Modern Middle East - Open Rank

History of the Modern Middle East – Post-1917 Israel/Palestine

The Department of History at Cornell University seeks applicants for an open-rank position in the History of the Modern Middle East, with a focus on the history of Israel/Palestine after 1917 (the end of Ottoman rule). The position is full-time tenure-track at the assistant, associate or full professor level. A PhD in history or a related field with a specialization in the history of Palestine/Israel is required. The candidate will have an excellent record of innovative research, fluency in both Hebrew and Arabic, and proficiency in other research languages (e.g., Levantine Arabic, Egyptian Arabic, modern Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Ladino, Yiddish, French, etc.) Our department's areas of interest include the history of migration, gender, law, the environment, memory, and public history. The ideal candidate will teach courses on the history of the Modern Middle East, including complexities of the lived experiences in Palestine/Israel.

Disclosure:Consistent with Cornell’s practice, appointments to academic positions require candidates to disclose relevant information about their prior employment including whether they have been found to have violated institutional or employer policies related to or governing unlawful discrimination and harassment, academic and research misconduct, or financial misconduct.

Salary range: $110,800 - $230,000. Salary offers in the College of Arts and Sciences will be based on education, experience, discipline, and relevant skills.

Candidates must submit the following materials by November 15, 2026 for full consideration. Submit applications through AJO.

• Letter of application that describes research, teaching, and mentoring experiences and interests
• Writing sample of no more than 30 pages
• Three letters of recommendation

Contact Information

Michael Williamson
Department of History
120 Mary Ann Wood Drive
Ithaca NY 14850