We're hiring! Assistant Professor of Native American and Indigenous Studies

November 11, 2021

In the Spring of 2021, with the support of the Race, Place, and Equity grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the University of Virginia launched a multiyear project to expand the undergraduate curriculum, diversify the faculty, and build relationships with local communities who have historically been marginalized from and directly harmed by their contact with the university. Over the next three years, UVA will develop approximately 60 new first-year courses grounded in experiential learning with elders from the Monacan Indian Nation and African American descendant communities. Further, UVA will recruit, as well as mentor, 30 postdoctoral fellows who are underrepresented in their fields. Finally, the grant has enabled UVA to hire three tenure-track faculty members, two of which have been hired, as part of a cohort whose research brings new attention to issues of racial justice and the redress of inequity in Black and Indigenous communities.

The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Architecture are conducting a joint search that seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant professor in the field of Native American and Indigenous Studies, focusing on intersecting issues of race, place, land, and equity. The successful applicant will likely be hired in either Arts and Sciences or the School of Architecture, although a joint hire is also a possibility for a candidate whose research and teaching contribute to both academic units and would be enhanced by a joint appointment. Applications will be welcome from scholars who could find a home in School of Architecture in the department of Architectural History or Landscape Architecture or the following departments in the College of Arts and Sciences: Carter G. Woodson Department of African American and African Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Art; English; Global Studies; History; Media Studies; Politics; Religious Studies; Sociology; Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese; and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The successful candidate will have an active research agenda that focuses on Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies within and across Native Nations, including but not limited to issues of ecology and traditional environmental knowledge, historic preservation, cultural heritage, Indigenous landscapes, language revitalization, sovereignty, the sacred, and social movements. We are especially interested in candidates whose work focuses on North America and can enrich local partnerships and contribute to collaborations throughout Indian Country and Turtle Island, as well as ongoing research, teaching, and service related to Native and Indigenous Studies at UVA, including the undergraduate minor and Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship program.

Application review will begin December 10, 2021 and the position will remain open until filled. The appointment begins with the fall semester of 2022. Applicants must have received their PhD by time of appointment. Scholars from underrepresented communities, including Native American, Indigenous, African American, Latinx, Asian American, queer, neurodiverse, and differently abled scholars, are especially invited to apply.

TO APPLY:

Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs: search for posting R0030413 complete the application, and attach the following:

***Please note ALL REQUESTED documents MUST be uploaded in the cv/resume box and you can combine documents into one PDF.***

1. Cover letter of application describing (1) areas of research and teaching interest (2) potential research collaborations with groups at UVA and in Native and Indigenous communities; (3) your demonstrated past experience working on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or working with diverse populations (not to exceed three single spaced pages).

2. Current curriculum vitae with the names of three references

3. Research statement (not to exceed two single-spaced pages)

4. Teaching philosophy (not to exceed one single-spaced page)

***Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration.***

Questions about this position should be directed to Christian McMillen, Associate Dean for Social Sciences, Professor of History, and chair of the search committee, at cwm6w@virginia.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to: Nicole Robinson, Faculty Search Advisor, at nr7f@virginia.edu.

The University will perform background checks on all new faculty hires prior to making a final offer of employment.

UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area.  To learn more please visit https://dualcareer.virginia.edu. For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville  and https://embarkcva.com/.
 

COVID Vaccination Requirement
The University of Virginia expects all current and new employees (UVA Health System and Academic), to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 
 

If hired to work within the University Health System, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be willing to receive the vaccination. Employees may request a medical or religious exemption from vaccination. 

If hired to work on the Academic side of the University, excluding the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, UPG, and the Health Systems Library, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be willing to submit to mandatory, weekly prevalence testing. Employees that are working 100% remotely will not be subject to weekly prevalence testing; however, if the employee works on UVA Grounds (including the Medical Center) even intermittently, then they are required to be tested for COVID-19 once per week on an indefinite basis and follow masking mandates. 
 
NOTE: Some medical and safety-sensitive positions require vaccination and are not eligible for an exemption.  For more information on how the vaccination and testing requirements will apply to you at your work location, see the UVA New Hire Vaccination Requirements webpage. 

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

Image credit: Wendy Red Star (Aspáalooke heritage) and her daughter Beatriz, 2nd photo in Aspáalooke FeministShared with CC4 license via Wikimedia (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wendy_Red_Star_and_daughter_Beat...).