Assistant Professor

Position begins August 2027 in the Department of English at the University of Maryland, College Park.

About the Role

The Department of English seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in Poetry to join a thriving creative writing program within a diverse and productive department. The successful candidate will be a key member of both the graduate and undergraduate creative writing programs, with a tenure home in the Department of English.

The department values belonging, community, equity, and access, and seeks candidates whose creative work, teaching, and service align with and advance this mission. Candidates are expected to summarize their leadership efforts and contributions to fostering an equitable and varied scholarly environment, including increasing access or participation of individuals from equity-deserving groups.

Responsibilities

• Teach creative writing workshops at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Teach literature courses and direct undergraduate honors projects or theses.
• Engage in creative work, research, and service that advances the department’s mission of equity, access, and community.
• Contribute to the graduate and undergraduate creative writing programs, including mentoring students.
• Potential involvement in advising or running literary journals, small presses, or innovative publishing ventures.

Requirements

• MFA in poetry or PhD (preferred) in English literature/creative writing with a focus in poetry.
• At least one full-length poetry book published by a nationally recognized publisher.
• Strong reputation in the field of creative writing with a primary publication record in poetry.
• Demonstrated ability to teach creative writing and literature courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience working with a diverse student body and documented mentorship.
• Engagement with other media forms, genres, or secondary studies in literature or art (e.g., indigenous studies, digital media, creative nonfiction).
• Additional interests in areas such as LGBTQIA+ and trans* literature, African American literature, multiethnic literatures, disability studies, or environmental humanities are welcome.

Application Materials

• Letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• 1-page creative/research statement
• 1-page teaching philosophy statement
• 1-page statement summarizing leadership efforts and contributions to belonging, community, equity, and access
• 10-page representative writing sample

Three letters of recommendation will be requested at a more advanced stage of the search process.

Best consideration date: October 15, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About the Department

The Department of English at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters critical thinking, clear communication, and interdisciplinary exploration. The MFA Program in Creative Writing is staffed by a nationally and internationally recognized faculty with strong ties to the D.C. literary arts community. The program emphasizes mentorship and has a strong record of alumni success, including award-winning publications, placements in top-tier doctoral programs, and the founding of nationally recognized journals and magazines.

The department hosts readings, colloquia, symposia, guest lectures, and conferences, as well as discussion groups and play readings. Students are encouraged to explore diverse career paths through internships and a robust alumni network. The department is home to the Center for Literary and Comparative Studies and BookLab, which serve as hubs for scholarly inquiry and collaboration.

The University of Maryland is located in College Park, eight miles from Washington, D.C., offering access to world-class libraries, archives, cultural institutions, and diverse communities.