Assistant Professor/20th Century African American History

About the role

The W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in 20th Century African American History, with a particular emphasis on Black Women. Candidates with expertise in Black Feminisms or Gender and Sexuality Studies are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position complements departmental strengths in history and politics while supporting growing student interest in Black Women’s History, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Black Feminisms, and Black Queer Studies.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of new courses, strengthen the current curriculum, support undergraduate and graduate students, and actively participate in a collaborative Africana/Black Studies academic community.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a promising and active research agenda
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including independent graduate seminars by the second year
• Develop new courses and enhance existing offerings in African American history
• Advise and mentor students in the department
• Contribute to departmental service, collaboration, and community engagement
• Uphold and contribute to the intellectual traditions of Africana/Black Studies as a distinct academic discipline

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Afro-American/African American/Africology/African Diaspora/Black/Africana/Pan-African Studies, History, American Studies, Women’s Studies, or a related field (degree must be completed by the appointment date)
• Demonstrated scholarly promise
• Evidence of effective undergraduate teaching

Preferred

• Expertise in Black Feminisms, Gender and Sexuality, or related subfields

Salary Information

UMass Amherst anticipates a salary within the $79,350–$116,818 range.

• The low end reflects the minimum contractual salary for this rank.
• The high end represents compensation above the departmental median for candidates with extensive faculty experience.
• Final salary will be based on rank, experience, and relevant qualifications at the time an offer is extended.

Application Instructions

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• One-page research statement
• Teaching statement or teaching portfolio
• Advising/values statement detailing how your work aligns with the university’s For the Common Good Strategic Plan
• - Strategic Plan: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/
• List of three professional references with full contact information (letters requested later as needed)

Priority deadline

December 1, 2025

Additional Information

• To learn more about living, working, and learning in the Pioneer Valley: https://www.umass.edu/faculty-development/prospective-faculty
• UMass Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all federal and state nondiscrimination laws. The university welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and actively seeks candidates who will contribute to its mission of diversity and inclusion.