2026-27 Assistant Professor of English

Assistant Professor of English (Global / Postcolonial Englishes)

Overview :    Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of English (Tenure Track). The start date for this position is August 15, 2026.

Qualifications :   We seek a scholar-teacher whose work in global / postcolonial Englishes explores class, gender, race, ethnicity, migration / diaspora, and / or queer / trans identities, optimally in ways that are in conversation with British literature(s) of the eighteenth and / or nineteenth centuries. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in English, Comparative Literature, or another closely related field by August 15, 2026. They must be dedicated to undergraduate education, enthusiastic about professional engagement with students in and out of the classroom, and able to work in teams in a collegial environment.

About the Tenure Track :    At Illinois Wesleyan, Tenure Track faculty engage students through six teaching assignments each year, pursue productive scholarly or artistic work, serve as academic advisors, and engage in departmental and campus-wide service. After receiving feedback on formative reviews in the second, third, and fourth years of employment, a case for tenure and promotion is submitted in the fall of the sixth year.

Tenure track faculty are eligible for sabbatical following six complete academic years of full-time service and every seven years thereafter. Additional  professional development  opportunities include the possibility of start-up funds, the potential for junior faculty leave, and  support for the development of external grants . The Thorpe Center for Curricular and Faculty Development supports faculty in their teaching and scholarly or artistic work including peer-to-peer mentoring, workshops, internal grants, and assistance with instructional design and technology.

Responsibilities of Tenure-Track Faculty :

• Scholarly (or artistic) achievement 6-course teaching load per year, often including courses that range from first-year writing to general education courses, to upper-level courses for the major
• Academic advising in the discipline Departmental and University service

About IWU :    Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with highly selective admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are located in Bloomington, IL, a metro area of 190,000 people, which is about a two or three hour drive from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. We are strongly committed to fostering an environment that values varied perspectives and backgrounds.

About the IWU English Department :    The IWU English Department offers a major with concentrations in Literature and Writing, and coordinates an interdisciplinary Communication major. We offer minors in English, Creative Writing, and Journalism and Communication. A significant percentage of our English majors also major in Education Studies. Many of our students study abroad, receive academic credit for internships, pursue independent studies, and conduct honors research.

Application Information :

Please submit the following as separate .pdf attachments and / or via Interfolio to english@iwu.edu :

a cover letter addressing qualifications, including scholarly achievement and plans for future scholarly work; teaching philosophy, experience, and aspirations; and service to relevant disciplines, institutions, and / or communities;  a curriculum vitae; and a statement that :

Review of applications will begin on October 20 and continue until the position has been filled.

Candidates selected for the next stage of the search will be asked to submit additional materials, including three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, teaching materials, and unofficial transcripts.

Questions may be directed to Mike Theune, English Department Chair, at mtheune@iwu.edu.

Illinois Wesleyan University may offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Compensation and Benefits :

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a community that values a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds among our outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to contributing to and enhancing our community in these areas. Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer. Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed at  https : / / www.iwu.edu / title-ix / sexual-misconduct-policy.html . Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting excellence through a variety of viewpoints.