Tenure Track, Assistant Professor of Art History and Visual Culture

OVERVIEW

The Department of Art History and Visual Culture in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in the History of Art and Visual Culture of the Mediterranean Crossroads at the rank of assistant professor to begin in the fall semester of 2027. The position requires specialization in topics involving the Mediterranean world before 1700, considering the region as a meeting point for Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and North African civilizations. With this position we seek to expand the department’s curriculum to examine the Mediterranean as a hub of the exchange of cultural and scientific knowledge and visual dialogue.

 

The successful candidate will teach an introductory undergraduate art history course and upper-level undergraduate art history courses focusing on the art history and visual culture of the Mediterranean Crossroads, serving students from across all disciplines at the university. The successful candidate will also develop graduate courses that serve students in our Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture and Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies programs. A commitment to innovative teaching and mentoring is required. The standard teaching load is six, four-credit in-person courses per year. Online and blended courses may also be offered based on need and in consultation with the department chair.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active scholarly agenda. We encourage applications from scholars who are able to enhance our curriculum with expertise in ancient, medieval, and/or early modern studies and with the ability to situate Christian visual culture within its broader intercultural contexts. Experience and/or interest in museum studies is welcome.

 

In addition to teaching and scholarship, faculty are also expected to advise undergraduate and graduate students and participate actively in departmental, college, and university service.

 

About the Department of Art History and Visual CultureThe Department of Art History and Visual Culture offers an undergraduate major and minor in Art History and Visual Culture and an undergraduate minor in Museum Studies. We also offer a Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies. Please see the Department of Art History and Visual Culture website for more information about our curriculum and program offerings.

 

About the University of St. ThomasThe University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven, urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan centers, we are Minnesota’s largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. Learn more about life as a faculty member at the Join the Faculty at University of St. Thomas website.

 

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity, and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission. Learn more about the University of St. Thomas mission and convictions at the Office for Mission website.

 

Salary and BenefitsThe University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits

The salary range for this position is $65,000–$70,000.

 

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have a Ph.D. (U.S. or foreign equivalent degree) in Art History, Archaeology, or a closely related field, or alternatively, ABD candidates nearing completion of the Ph.D. will be considered, with an initial appointment to be made at the rank of Instructor.

 

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/.

 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

 

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes relevant teaching experience in pre-1700 Mediterranean civilizations and imagery in cultural context
• A sample course syllabus for which you were a teaching assistant or instructor of record demonstrating approach to teaching in the specified subject area
• A writing sample (publication, dissertation chapter, etc.) demonstrating research agenda

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields.

 

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the job-specific application. During this step, you will be asked to:

• Submit a cover letter that addresses the following:
  • your interest in the position,
  • ability to teach courses in pre-1700 Mediterranean art and other courses that enhance our current offerings,
  • your commitment to excellence in teaching and mentorship,
  • scholarly agenda relative to the position, and
  • your approaches to engagement with the university’s mission and convictions
• Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability self-identification forms

Step 3.As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to your teaching experience and qualifications.

• References will not be contacted without your permission
• Candidates who advance to the finalist phase will be asked to have their three references submit letters of recommendation.

No other documents will be considered during the initial screening of the application.

 

Review of application materials will begin on October 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search chair, Dr. Craig Eliason ([email protected]) if you have any questions. Finalists invited to campus will be expected to give a classroom lecture and a research presentation to the faculty.

Established in 1885, the University of St. Thomas is located in the major metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and is Minnesota’s largest private university. Its 10,000 students pursue degrees in a wide range of liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs.

 

Official job posting is available at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/.