Description

The College at the University of Chicago invites applications for appointment as Instructional Professor at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full in the University Writing Program. This is a full-time, career-track teaching position. The initial appointment term is from two to five years depending on rank and will begin on September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is renewable with opportunity for promotion within the Instructional Professor track based on performance review and College recommendation.

The primary responsibility of University Writing Program (UWP) Instructional Professors is to teach up to six seminar-style, writing-intensive courses per year following UWP guidelines. All UWP Instructional Professors teach the College’s Core writing requirement and may also help develop and teach courses in public and community-oriented writing, advanced research writing (including the UWP’s historic flagship course, Academic and Professional Writing, commonly known as “Little Red Schoolhouse”), multimodal composition, and writing in the age of AI. Further responsibilities will include contributing to programmatic initiatives that enhance the culture of writing instruction in the College and support teaching and learning with writing throughout the University.

Successful candidates will join the UWP, housed in the New Collegiate Division, at a moment of transformation. UWP Instructional Professors will help launch an interdisciplinary first-year writing course, which will be a universal requirement for all incoming students as of the 2027–2028 academic year, as part of a broader strategic plan to enrich writing pedagogy across the University. New colleagues will become part of a dynamic community of teacher-scholars at a leading urban research university dedicated to critical inquiry and free expression.

We welcome applications from candidates in all fields of study who have strong collegiate-level teaching experience and an interest in writing pedagogy.

Salary Range

Assistant Instructional Professor: $75,676–$81,729; Associate Instructional Professor: $81,730–$88,459; Instructional Professor: $88,460–$98,000 for Academic Year 2026–2027. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment paid over twelve months. The position includes support for professional development and may also include a relocation allowance for qualifying expenses. The terms and conditions of this position are described in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Chicago and the Service Employees International Union.

This position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate or other terminal degree (completed by position start date). Because the UWP is an interdisciplinary unit, there are no restrictions on disciplinary expertise. Candidates with degrees from any academic field (including those taught in the University’s schools and divisions) are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated high-level effectiveness in college-level instruction, including at least three years of professional teaching experience (may include professional teaching experience as part of a graduate program).
• Strong academic writing abilities.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and/or implementing skills-based curricula emphasizing critical inquiry, creative thinking, close reading, analysis, research, drafting, and revision.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with outstanding students from diverse backgrounds (culturally, linguistically, socioeconomically, educationally, etc.).
• Experience mentoring or providing professional development for faculty and instructors.
• Intellectual curiosity, strong interpersonal skills, commitment to strengths-based pedagogical practices, and eagerness to contribute to the mission of an interdisciplinary, independent writing program motivated by the University of Chicago’s values.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website, apply.interfolio.com/177924. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. Central Time on January 11, 2026. All applicants will be asked to upload the following materials:

1. CV, including your full legal name.
2. Cover letter describing your interest in the position, approach to teaching writing, experience as a writer and researcher, and relevant undergraduate teaching experience.
3. Teaching statement to complement what you discuss in your cover letter, not to exceed 750 words.
4. Syllabi for two courses previously taught
   • You are welcome, though not required, to include a brief headnote indicating anything you think it would be helpful for us to know about these syllabi.
5. Sample commentary you have provided on an anonymized piece of student writing
   • We are interested in seeing an example of feedback you have provided to a real student from one of your classes. We ask that the sample student writing containing your commentary be (1) an academic genre, (2) relatively short—preferably 5 pages or shorter, no more than 10 pages—and (3) include a headnote indicating:
     • The prompt, guidelines, and/or instructions for which the assignment was submitted;
     • The name, level (e.g., first-year, advanced, etc.), and type of course for which the student submitted this assignment;
     • Anything else you think it would be helpful for us to know (e.g., whether the sample assignment is a rough or final draft, why you selected this sample, etc.).

Further materials and references will be requested at subsequent stages of the search. If you have questions, please contact the Executive Director of the University Writing Program and chair of the search committee, Abigail Reardon, at uwpsearch@uchicago.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

About The University of Chicago Writing Program

The University of Chicago Writing Program offers credit and non-credit courses, seminars and workshops focused on writing for readers in academic and professional contexts. We offer writing support to all University divisions, schools, and programs, including tutoring for undergraduates, specialized coursework for graduate students, and individualized consultations for staff and faculty. We also provide training in writing pedagogy, as well as employment and professional development opportunities for graduate students interested in the teaching of writing.

Connections working at The University of Chicago Writing Program