Job Summary:

The Department of History and the Integrated Liberal Studies Program at the UW-Madison invite excellent candidates who work in the history of science with a focus on water to apply for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor. The time period and area of specialization are open. A candidate’s research may engage, for instance, with the social, political, and intellectual dimensions of human-water interactions; water access, use, or management; oceanography, limnology, hydrology, or fisheries science; or water biology and ecology, both marine and freshwater. The successful candidate may have a transnational dimension to their research but should be well grounded in a US context.

We welcome applications from scholars whose research on systems of knowledge-making around water can complement strengths of the Department of History, which include indigenous history, environmental history, slavery and race relations, US empire and militarization, comparative imperialisms/colonialisms, and political economy.

As a core member of the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology graduate program, the successful candidate may engage with its strengths in data and information, science and empire, health and environment, and the global history of science. We are especially interested in innovative scholars willing to explore interdisciplinary water research in collaboration with colleagues in water-focused research centers and other units at UW–Madison, such as the Aquatic Sciences Center, Center for Limnology, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, La Follette School of Public Policy, and Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. The tenure home will be in the Department of History.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

This position is part of a new university-wide initiative called RISE-EARTH (Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence in Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity). Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW–Madison’s strengths, RISE expands the University’s successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions. 

Over a three-year period, UW–Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE-EARTH can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/

The successful candidate will pursue a vigorous research program while contributing to the graduate program in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology in the Department of History and to the Integrated Liberal Studies Program’s undergraduate teaching mission of innovative, interdisciplinary liberal education. Applicants should have the capacity to teach undergraduate survey courses in the history of science as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in their areas of expertise. They will also be expected to provide service to the program, department, college, university, and professional community nationally or internationally.

As a member of the College of L&S, the successful candidate will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

The Department of History at UW-Madison is highly ranked and is especially strong in the history of science, medicine, technology, and the environment. The discipline of limnology in North America began in the 1890s at UW–Madison, which continues to lead the field today. Water@UW–Madison showcases the depth, diversity, and interdisciplinarity of water-related research across campus. In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire faculty who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance. Learn more about the L&S mission on our webpage: https://ls.wisc.edu/about/mission.

Madison is the state's capitol city and is well known for offering a small town feel in a medium-sized city. Fortune named Madison #7 Happiest City in America in 2025, and for 2025-2026, US News & World Report ranked Madison #7 for Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the US. The city consistently wins national recognition for its walkability, bikeability, parks, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Applicants should have the capacity to teach undergraduate survey courses in the history of science as well as undergraduate and graduate courses in their areas of expertise. They will also be expected to provide service to the program, department, college, university, and professional community nationally or internationally.

Department: College of Letters and Science, History Department

How to Apply:

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under Job Requisition JR10005527. Applications must be received through UW- Madison's online application system. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. Applicants should submit the following 4 items:

1) A letter of application,

2) Curriculum vitae, including a list of 3 referees

3) A teaching and mentoring statement, (maximum 2 pages)

4) A writing sample of roughly 35 pages. If the writing sample forms part of a dissertation or book manuscript, please include (as a cover to the writing sample) an abstract and table of contents for the dissertation or book manuscript, or a statement of how the writing sample fits in with the larger project.

Applicants will receive an email requesting the names and contact information for three references; each reference will each receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference. For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on December 31, 2025.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant’s dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant’s ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters.  It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others

Contact Information:

Carol Cizauskas

Phone: 608-263-1808

Email: ccizauskas@wisc.edu

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of excellence and productivity in scholarly research, as well as a commitment to teaching, mentoring, and service. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate fostering or the ability to foster a teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and a research environment where all can thrive. The successful candidate will also show interest in exploring interdisciplinary water research in collaboration with colleagues in water-focused research centers and other units at UW–Madison.

PhD in History or related field required by start of appointment.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of History

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of History, building on more than a century of distinguished scholarship and teaching, our faculty and staff serve over 400 undergraduate majors along with many other students passionate about history. We are also home to a vibrant community of some 130 graduate students in both History and the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology. Since its founding in 1848, the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus has been a catalyst for the extraordinary. As a public land-grant university and major research institution, our students, staff, and faculty engage in a world-class education while solving real-world problems. With public service — or as we call it, the Wisconsin Idea — as our guiding principle, Badgers are creating a better future for everyone.

Connections working at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of History