The Department of English at Rice University seeks candidates for an associate or full professor of Creative Writing in Poetry, with a specialization in African American poetics, and secondary interests in literary translation, social justice, international literature, and / or writing deeply rooted in place. The successful candidate will be an actively publishing writer who holds an MFA or PhD in Creative Writing, with at least two books of poetry, a record of teaching excellence, and an ability to collaborate on the administration and coordination of our undergraduate Creative Writing Concentration, Creative Writing Minor, and the development and launch of an innovative, community-engaged MFA in Creative Writing.

We are particularly interested in candidates whose work emerges from or engages with the historic, cultural, and geographic context of the Gulf Coast and its aesthetic and literary traditions. Candidates who demonstrate through their teaching, mentorship, and writing, a commitment to the inclusion of historically underrepresented perspectives and who bring multilingual, international, and/or cross-cultural perspectives to their work are especially encouraged to apply.

Initial interviews will be conducted over ZOOM in early January 2025. The position carries a 2/2 course load. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to design and teach a wide range of introductory and advanced undergraduate workshops, to work with talented undergraduate students on the production and publication of our award-winning journal, R2, and to help develop and launch an innovative, community-engaged MFA in Creative Writing. Candidates will also have the opportunity to work with a variety of interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for African and African American Studies, the Center for Environmental Studies, the Center for Medical Humanities, the Chao Center for Asian Studies, the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality; and the Center for Latin American and Latinx America, among others.

Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, writing sample (25 pages maximum), teaching statement, diversity statement, research statement, and names and contact information for three recommenders (letters will be solicited for applicants who advance beyond the initial review). Finalists will be asked for teaching evaluations. Applications must be submitted online via Interfolio by December 1.

Rice University is a comprehensive and highly selective private research university consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. The university is strongly committed to an intellectually and culturally diverse community. Rice is located in Houston, the fourth largest city in the U.S., which is also the most diverse metropolitan area in the nation. Houston is home to several universities, the nation?s leading medical center, a flourishing arts and theater scene, world class museums, an opera, ballet, and a symphony.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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As a leading research university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate education, Rice University aspires to pathbreaking research, unsurpassed teaching and contributions to the betterment of our world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor.

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