Assistant Professor

As a program and department committed to progressive pedagogies and curricular innovation, we seek a colleague who shares our commitment to inspiring socially-engaged citizenship in the classroom and in the community. The Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) concentration within the Department of English houses BA, MA, and PhD programs with courses in technical communication, digital media, editing, grant writing, rhetorical theory, and composition. We seek candidates to help build our focus in technical communication and to continue growing our online MA in Technical Communication program. New faculty will be expected to maintain a productive research agenda, advise graduate students, and teach undergraduate and graduate courses. 

The Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication program within the Department of English is uniquely positioned for community engagement and industry partnerships given that the University is located in a residential neighborhood of Memphis, a city with a rich history and vibrant culture. Memphis has a large medical hub (e.g., St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, University of Tennessee’s College of Medicine, Southern College of Optometry) and is corporate headquarters for several major corporations (e.g., FedEx, International Paper, AutoZone). The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

The Department of English at the University of Memphis invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in our Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication graduate and undergraduate programs to begin Fall 2027. Candidates with expertise in areas such as engaged or public scholarship, grant writing, research methods, medical rhetoric, or technical editing are especially encouraged to apply.

To Apply, candidates should submit the following materials: 

• Cover letter 

• Current CV 

• Teaching Philosophy 

• Writing Sample (15-20 pages) 

• Transcripts 

• Reference list  

Deadline: Review of applications will begin on November 6, 2026, and continue until position is filled.  

We seek candidates to help build our focus in technical communication and to continue growing our online MA in Technical Communication program. New faculty will be expected to maintain a productive research agenda, advise graduate students, and teach undergraduate and graduate courses. 

The University of Memphis is an R1 institution. The College of Arts and Sciences offers competitive faculty workloads that recognize demonstrated research productivity while balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities in accordance with College workload policy. Please refer to the CAS Teaching/Workload Guidelines for additional information. 

PhD in Technical Communication, Rhetoric and Composition, Writing Studies, or a related field. PhD must be in hand or secured by May 2027. 

• A focused research agenda that includes publications or potential for publication in technical communication or related rhetorical fields 

• Evidence of excellent in-person and online teaching in technical communication and writing studies 

• A commitment to serving the needs of a diverse student population  

• A collegial attitude for department and university service