Assistant Professor, History

About the Role

The Department of History at the University of San Diego invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in South Asian and/or Central Asian History with an emphasis on the premodern period (ca. 500-1500 CE) beginning in Fall 2027. The successful candidate will teach three courses per semester (a 3:3 load) and offer classes that will affirm the department's commitment to introducing students to a variety of historical perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Teach three courses per semester (3:3 load)
• Offer classes introducing students to a variety of historical perspectives
• Establish a program of research in their area of study
• Demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching
• Mentor undergraduates
• Foster a welcoming climate in the classroom and across campus

Preferred Specializations

We welcome a variety of specializations but are particularly interested in approaches that privilege transnational or global histories such as:

• The movement of people through migration, conquest, or travel
• The diffusion of ideas, religions, or cultural practices
• The spread of commodities, technologies, or diseases via land or sea trade

The successful candidate should also be open to critical, interdisciplinary engagement.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree required (PhD in History preferred, though related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
• ABD candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and research
• Experience mentoring undergraduates
• Commitment to fostering a welcoming climate in the classroom and across campus

Application Requirements

For full consideration, applications should be completed and submitted by September 15, 2026. Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:

• Letter of application, include reference to the cluster(s) of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching Statement and a sample syllabus (please discuss your approach to inclusive pedagogy)
• Research Statement and a sample of scholarly work
• Contact information for three references who will be sent a link to upload letters

Contact the Department Chair, Dr. Ryan Abrecht (rabrecht@sandiego.edu) with any questions. If you have any technical difficulties, please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Pay & Benefits

• Salary range: $6,931.25-$7,917 monthly (dependent on experience, education, and other factors including departmental budget)
• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers

Department Description

Situated within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Diego, the Department of History is committed to providing students with knowledge and skills that enable them to critically interpret the past and determine its significance for the present. We prioritize nuanced analysis of evidence, clear and convincing argumentation, appreciation for interpretative debate, and the cultivation of a sense of historical empathy. Our students get the opportunity to step out of their own lives and to encounter peoples and places that challenge their preconceptions. The History faculty are a collegial group of teacher-scholars who enthusiastically embrace the liberal arts mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and USD as a whole.

College & University Description

The College of Arts and Sciences is at the heart of the University of San Diego. Our philosophy is built on the enduring values of the Catholic intellectual tradition, immersing students in the concepts of free inquiry, ethical conduct and compassionate service. The College aims to establish an academic foundation for students to thrive and gain a comprehensive education, which spans the sciences, arts and social sciences. Through our exemplary liberal arts education and rigorous scholarship, we aspire to not only educate the mind but also develop the whole person.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.