Instructional Professor University Writing Program

Description

The College at the University of Chicago invites applications for appointment as Instructional Professor at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full in the University Writing Program. This is a full-time, career-track teaching position. The initial appointment term is from two to five years depending on rank and will begin on September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is renewable with opportunity for promotion within the Instructional Professor track based on performance review and College recommendation.

The primary responsibility of University Writing Program (UWP) Instructional Professors is to teach up to six seminar-style, writing-intensive courses per year following UWP guidelines. All UWP Instructional Professors teach the College’s Core writing requirement and may also help develop and teach courses in public and community-oriented writing, advanced research writing (including the UWP’s historic flagship course, Academic and Professional Writing, commonly known as “Little Red Schoolhouse”), multimodal composition, and writing in the age of AI.

Further responsibilities will include contributing to programmatic initiatives that enhance the culture of writing instruction in the College and support teaching and learning with writing throughout the University.

Successful candidates will join the UWP, housed in the New Collegiate Division, at a moment of transformation. UWP Instructional Professors will help launch an interdisciplinary first-year writing course, which will be a universal requirement for all incoming students as of the 2027–2028 academic year, as part of a broader strategic plan to enrich writing pedagogy across the University. New colleagues will become part of a dynamic community of teacher-scholars at a leading urban research university dedicated to critical inquiry and free expression.

We welcome applications from candidates in all fields of study who have strong collegiate-level teaching experience and an interest in writing pedagogy.

Assistant Instructional Professor: $75,676–$81,729 ;
Associate Instructional Professor: $81,730–$88,459 ;
Instructional Professor: $88,460–$98,000 for Academic Year 2026–2027. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment paid over twelve months. The position includes support for professional development and may also include a relocation allowance for qualifying expenses. The terms and conditions of this position are described in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Chicago and the Service Employees International Union.

This position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

• Doctorate or other terminal degree (completed by position start date). Because the UWP is an interdisciplinary unit, there are no restrictions on disciplinary expertise. Candidates with degrees from any academic field (including those taught in the University’s schools and divisions) are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated high-level effectiveness in college-level instruction, including at least three years of professional teaching experience (may include professional teaching experience as part of a graduate program).
• Strong academic writing abilities.

• Experience designing and/or implementing skills-based curricula emphasizing critical inquiry, creative thinking, close reading, analysis, research, drafting, and revision.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with outstanding students from diverse backgrounds (culturally, linguistically, socioeconomically, educationally, etc.).
• Experience mentoring or providing professional development for faculty and instructors.
• Intellectual curiosity, strong interpersonal skills, commitment to strengths-based pedagogical practices, and eagerness to contribute to the mission of an interdisciplinary, independent writing program motivated by the University of Chicago’s values.