Assistant Professor - AMST/IGS

The Department of American Studies (AMST) and the Institute for Global Studies (IGS) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities invite applications for a joint tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of August 31, 2027. We seek a transnational American Studies scholar of comparative and multi-sited Global Souths (especially Latin America, and/or Southeast Asia, and/or the U.S. South) whose interdisciplinary research draws on settler colonial studies and relational race/ethnic studies in order to consider the legacies of the U.S.'s political role in the global flows and functions of race, empire, war, colonialism, and capital in the twentieth century and twenty-first centuries . We are particularly interested in a scholar with expertise in environmental humanities, critical refugee studies (with an emphasis on Southeast Asia), and/or transoceanic studies who looks at how agribusiness (principally, farming and fisheries), technology, and/or cultural objects and materials inform (and are informed by) those and other processes (like diaspora, nation-state formation, and refugee lifeworlds/deathworlds). Thus, we seek a scholar whose work explores histories of wartime counterinsurgency networks in the Global South and the ways that they shape contemporary (broadly construed) landscapes and discourses of structures like the nation, policing, surveillance, border enforcement, displacement, dispossession, and forced migration in the United States.

Preferred candidates will be scholars whose research substantively engages with studies of race, gender, class, sexuality, and/or disability; who have a background in interdisciplinary studies (i.e., American Studies); who have evidence of interest in digital humanities; and whose work holds promise to resonate with Twin Cities metro histories and communities.

Faculty are expected to maintain an active research program that includes publication, teach courses in area(s) of specialty as well as core American Studies curriculum, advise undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute service to the department, college, university, profession, and broader communities as appropriate.

This is a full-time position; 9-month academic year appointment. Ph.D. in American Studies is required by the start date of the appointment, as well as evidence of potential for excellence in teaching, and productive, innovative scholarship. Salary is competitive.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of American Studies are available here or at: https://faculty.umn.edu/sites/faculty.umn.edu/files/2020-09/american_studies_7.12_dept_approved_20091104.pdf

The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are available here or at: https://neighborhood.cla.umn.edu/college-knowledge/workload-principles-and-guidelines

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. must be completed by the starting date of the position (August 31, 2027)
• Ph.D. in American Studies
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of transnational American studies
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of transnational American studies oriented approaches to comparative and multi-sited Global Souths (particularly, Latin America, and/or Southeast Asia, and/or the U.S. South)
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of American studies oriented approaches to settler colonial studies and relational race/ethnic studies
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of American studies oriented approaches to studies of empire, war, colonialism, and capital

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of American studies oriented approaches to environmental humanities, critical refugee studies, and/or transoceanic studies
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of American studies oriented approaches to agribusiness (principally, farming and fisheries), technology, and/or cultural/material objects
• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of the studies of race, gender, class, sexuality, and/or disability
• Evidence of interest in digital humanities
• Academic promise to resonate with Twin Cities metro history and communities

About the Department and Institute

American Studies is one of the leading programs of our kind in the United States and globally. We pride ourselves on providing our students with valuable degrees that address the vital and timely questions that our society faces today. Approaching the study of US culture from a local, global, regional, and transnational perspective, our courses challenge students to examine issues from a variety of geographic scales and locations.

The Institute for Global Studies is one of the longest established such programs in the country. IGS connects students, scholars, and communities dedicated to social justice, understanding, and transforming our globalized world. As a hallmark of our success nationally, our faculty come from a range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, and provide a vibrant interdisciplinary and transnational undergraduate curriculum, cross-campus and community-based programing, and an active research agenda.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social science and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1200 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 14,000 undergraduate students, half of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, and over 1,600 graduate students and has an annual all-funds budget of over $250 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA
Working in CLA

Pay Range: State law requires a good faith estimate of the salary range for all advertised positions. The range for this position is $75,000 to $150,000 depending on discipline, experience and other considerations. Faculty positions also include significant start-up funds, as well as retirement, health and other benefits.

Time Appointment:100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Candidates are required to submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, three samples of written scholarly work, and three names of references. Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on "APPLY FOR JOB" and follow the instructions.

The following materials must be attached to your online applications.

• Letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Three writing sample
• Names, addresses and email contact information for three references as a separate attachment in "My Activities."

Additional materials may be requested at a later date.

Priority will be given to completed applications received by Oct 2, 2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.