Job Description Summary
The Department of English at Auburn University invites applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor position in Rhetoric and Writing Studies to begin Fall 2026. The teaching load for research faculty is 2-2, with balanced assignments in upper-division and graduate courses, as well as Auburn’s core curriculum. Successful candidates will contribute to the growth of the Department’s Public and Professional Writing undergraduate major, as well as the Rhetoric and Composition and Master of Technical and Professional Communication graduate programs, and will have opportunities to affiliate with interdisciplinary programs.
As one of the nation’s premier land, sea, and space grant institutions, Auburn University is ranked 42nd among public universities by
U.S. News and World Report. Highly research-active (R1) and committed to teaching excellence, Auburn is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, positive work environment, exciting student life, and the beauty of its campus. The Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area has a population of 140,000, excellent public-school systems, and a regional medical center, and is recognized as one of the “best small towns in America.” The Department of English, the largest in the College of Liberal Arts, offers the BA, MA,
MTPC, and PhD. More information about our department and programs can be found here:
https://cla.auburn.edu/english/.
Minimum Qualifications
PhD in English, Rhetoric and Composition, Technical and Professional Communication, Writing Studies, or closely related field by August 16, 2026, a clear agenda for scholarly productivity, and a strong commitment to collegiality, with a willingness to take part in the life and work of a unified department of English Studies (which includes majors/concentrations in writing studies, literature, and creative writing). The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.
Desired Qualifications
Record of publication in the field; successful experience teaching Rhetoric and Writing courses at the college level; demonstrable commitment to teaching, research, and service; ability to generate new courses to reflect area(s) of scholarly expertise and expand the department’s curricular offerings.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications will be accepted online
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56901. Applicants should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae for initial consideration.
Applications submitted by December 15, 2025 will have fullest consideration.
Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Leigh Gruwell (
lcg0016@auburn.edu).
