Advanced Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Technical Communication

The Department of Writing Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track or tenured faculty position beginning fall semester 2025 (8/25/2025). The appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year (late-August to late-May). Appointment will be made at the rank of Advanced Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, depending on qualifications and experience, and consistent with collegiate and University policy. The Department of Writing Studies has a strong commitment to advancing equity, accessibility, and diversity in all aspects of our work and we are interested in candidates who can support and expand this commitment. We seek a candidate with an active research agenda in technical and professional communication, which we conceive of broadly to include scholarship and teaching that investigates writing with and about technology and technical knowledge for a wide range of audiences and purposes. In conjunction with this specialization, we seek candidates whose research and teaching engage with contemporary key issues in the field such as emerging technologies and literacies, user experience, international/transnational communication, social justice and narrative inquiry, queer rhetorics, disability studies, and/or accessibility.

A Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in Writing Studies, Rhetoric, Composition, Technical Communication, or a related field is required. The rank is open to advanced assistant professors through professor, and the successful candidate will have a record of effective and engaged teaching, and the capacity and interest in teaching a range of courses across our academic programs. Candidates should be comfortable with and experienced teaching in multiple modalities and supporting inclusion, equity, and access for all students.

Faculty in the Department of Writing Studiesin the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research or creative activity that includes publication, exhibition, or performance; develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Writing Studies are available at: https://faculty.umn.edu/review-recognition/tenure-review/approved-712-statements

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

Candidates will be evaluated according to the overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly research/profile, evidence of research ability, evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, and strength of recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Writing Studies, Rhetoric, Composition, Technical Communication, English, or related field, in hand by August 25, 2025
• Active and substantial research record in the area of technical and professional communication that engages key issues in the field such as emerging technologies and literacies, writing in the disciplines, multilingual writing, international writing, social justice, linguistic justice, queer rhetorics, disability studies, and/or accessibility.
• Documented capacity and commitment to advancing equity through teaching, scholarship, or leadership and service
• Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Writing Studies, such as writing, technical communication, rhetoric, writing in the disciplines, or writing-intensive and in multiple modalities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Assistant, Associate, or Full professor rank; those applying at the Associate or Full rank should meet the criteria for Associate Professor/Professor at the University of Minnesota
• Evidence of capacity and commitment to supporting equity, accessibility, and justice across all areas of work
• Experience teaching graduate seminars and/or advising or serving on graduate student committees
• Experience and commitment to community engagement including working with both public stakeholders and institutional stakeholders (e.g. Centers for Writing, WAC/WID, industry practitioners).

One of thirty-one departments in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, the Department of Writing Studies is the home of first-year writing, technical communication, the Center for Writing, and the Minnesota Writing Project. Our First-Year Writing program serves over 5,000 students per year and situates writing as digital, social, professional, personal, and educational. The department also offers a B.S. in Technical Writing and Communication, M.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication, a post baccalaureate certificate in Technical Communication, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication. Current research specialties in the department include rhetorical theory, rhetoric and composition, rhetoric of technology, rhetoric of health and medicine, and technical and professional communication.

FFI: http://www.writingstudies.umn.edu
Facebook: Writing Studies, University of Minnesota

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 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 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 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.

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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 Scholarship
• 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

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits

Applicants must apply online at the following address: https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs. To find the position, search for job code 365749 or use the following search filters: Job Family (Academic), Location (Twin Cities), Academic & Administrative Unit (Liberal Arts, College of). 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.

Documents may be attached by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. Priority will be given to completed applications received by December 13, 2024, but applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. To be considered complete, an application must include the following: cover letter, CV, and names and contact information of three references, which may be attached with your application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there. The search committee may request additional materials at a later date, such as research and teaching portfolios or artifacts and recommendation letters. Questions about the search can be sent to:

Department Administrator Jennifer Franko
Department of Writing Studies
225 Nolte Center
University of Minnesota
315 Pillsbury Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
frank010@umn.edu

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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 the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).