Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing: Poetry)

Union College invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of English, beginning September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin on November 2, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by 11/2/2026 will receive priority consideration.

Position description:

The Department of English at Union College invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of English specializing in Poetry. Candidates must have an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the time of hire, experience in teaching creative writing, and an established publication record, such as a published book of poetry or the digital equivalent, or a series of poems published in peer-reviewed journals. Candidates will teach poetry workshops at all levels and literature electives of their own design; contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum; and develop a First-Year Inquiry course in line with their own interests. Preference will be given to candidates interested in organizing a departmental reading series. The teaching load is two classes per 10-week trimester for three trimesters per year (2-2-2).

We are especially interested in candidates who work in digital poetics and/or digital studies more broadly, who incorporate digital tools and platforms into their teaching and/or their poetry publication, and who expand our digital course offerings, which may include contributions that cross with Computer Science, or programs in Digital Studies, Digital Media, and/or Science, Technology, and Society.  In particular, we seek candidates with demonstrated interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing. Finally, we encourage applications from candidates who demonstrate through their teaching and service a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers. We welcome applications from candidates whose teaching could support Union’s interdisciplinary programs in Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Climate Change Studies, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, Mental Health Care, Music Technology, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Law & Humanities, Religious Studies, Russian & Eastern European Studies, and/or Public Health.      

About the English Department:

The newcomer to our faculty will enter a spirited collective of academics, authors, and mentors. Within the Department of English at Union College, we foster a cooperative and encouraging environment dedicated to student achievement, offering a diverse array of pedagogical perspectives that bridge conventional and avant-garde explorations of letters and the craft of writing. We teach a broad range of courses that include introductions to various literary genres and those that confront the literary canon, as well as intermediate- and upper-level courses that consider traditional authors or time periods, in addition to thematic and/or theoretical approaches that examine literature’s relationship to global challenges and social justice. This curriculum includes creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and more. Our courses help support the interdisciplinary programs listed above and others. In response to growing student interest, the English department launched a creative writing minor in Fall 2024, which continues to develop and which this poetry position directly supports.

Application instructions:

Please submit all application materials as pdf files. Only the materials listed below will be considered.

• Application letter

• Curriculum vitae

• Writing sample (up to 15 pages)

• Statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages), which includes experiences, approaches, and classroom activities that increase inclusivity and community for students of various backgrounds and abilities.

Please send questions and other inquiries to Bunkong Tuon, Chair of the Poetry Hiring Committee at [email protected]. Applicants invited to the first round of interviews will receive a request for the contact information for three professional references who can speak to their abilities in creative work, teaching, and departmental and institutional service. 

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $81,500-$83,500.  Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location: Schenectady, NY

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).