Associate or Full Professor - Sydney Blair Memorial Professorship in Creative Writing (fiction)

The University of Virginia's Department of English/Program in Creative Writing (~~~/) -one of the nation's highest-ranked-invites applications for the Sydney Blair Memorial Professorship in Creative Writing (fiction), at the level of associate or full professor. Created through a gift from the Kapnick Foundation, this professorship honors the memory of longtime faculty member Sydney Blair and her love of teaching. We are looking for an outstanding and innovative writer-teacher who can lead undergraduate and graduate workshops and seminars in fiction, as well as in a secondary or subgenre such as creative nonfiction, poetry, scriptwriting, literary journalism, literary translation, graphic narrative, hybrid writing, etc. We are especially interested in writers with an international and/or experimental focus. Teaching responsibilities will be two courses per term with every sixth term on leave; position is expected to begin Fall 2024. We seek candidates with promise of continued creative excellence, a commitment to teaching, and a readiness to assume service responsibilities within the Creative Writing Program-candidates whose skills and experiences will advance the university's ambition to cultivate the most vibrant and diverse educational community.

The university will perform background checks on all new hires before employment.

Questions about the position may go to Jane Alison, Professor of Creative Writing (~~~).

Questions about the application process may go to Melanie Sponaugle, Academic Recruiter (~~~).

1. PhD or MFA in creative writing or equivalent required

2. Thee years of experience required

3. Two books of fiction from leading national presses required, with three books strongly preferred;

4. substantial publications in a secondary or subgenre preferred

5. five years of university-level teaching, with a proven record of excellence preferred;

6. promise of continued creative excellence, a commitment to teaching, and a readiness to assume service responsibilities within the Creative Writing Program preferred.

Visit ~~~ to apply. Upload the following required materials:

1) a cover letter describing your background in writing and teaching;

2) a current CV with contact information for three references;

3) a statement about your teaching philosophy and how your skills and experience will advance the university's ambition to cultivate the most vibrant and diverse educational community (two-page, single-spaced maximum);

4) 4 samples of syllabi for both undergraduate and graduate courses;

5) 6 recent teaching observations and/or student evaluations; no older than 2020

6) a 25-page writing sample.

The position will remain open until filled; review of applications will begin December 1, 2023. Only complete applications will be considered.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

The University of Virginia offers confidential Dual Career Services to partners of incoming faculty candidates. To learn more, please visit ~~~