Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Applications must be submitted in English and are due by January 4, 2027. Applications must include the following:

• Proposal that describes your teaching philosophy and experience (if applicable), experience with a diverse student body, scholarly agenda, and potential contributions to and benefits from this fellowship (maximum 2000 words);
• Curriculum vitae; and
• Names and contact information for three professional references who can speak to your qualifications, past work, and potential as a postdoctoral teaching fellow at PLU .

Position Type:
Faculty

Benefits Status:
Benefits Eligible

FLSA:
Exempt

Hiring Range: $48,000 plus benefits, housing in a campus apartment for the duration of the fellowship, and a $3000 moving allowance.

Tacoma, WA 98447

Department:
College of Liberal Studies

Posting Date: 10/16/2026

Closing Date 01/04/2027

Full-time fellowship available September 1, 2027 - May 31, 2028. The academic year is from September to May. Classes begin on September 7, 2027. New Faculty Orientation will take place in late August. Housing will be provided from August 15, 2027 - May 31, 2028.

Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship:Since its founding in 1890 by Norwegian minister Bjug Harstad, Scandinavian immigrants and their descendants have had a distinct influence on Pacific Lutheran University. Today, these strong Scandinavian ties are most evident in the Scandinavian Cultural Center, whose mission is to enrich understanding of Nordic and Nordic-American cultures in conjunction with the Mortvedt Library’s Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection.

The Svare-Toven Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship at Pacific Lutheran University builds on this rich heritage to support the pedagogical development of recent PhDs who have expertise in Scandinavian Studies. As a one-year residential fellowship, it provides time to focus on the craft of teaching. One fellow is appointed each academic year (with possible renewal for a maximum of two years) to serve on the faculty at a rank equivalent to visiting assistant professor.

Fellows are selected from applicants who hold a PhD or equivalent degree in Scandinavian Studies or in one of the following humanities or social science disciplines with a primary scholarly focus on Scandinavia: anthropology, economics, environmental studies, ethnomusicology, gender/sexuality studies, history, indigenous studies, languages, literature, philosophy, political science, religious studies/theology, and sociology. Fellows are in residence at PLU for the full academic year following acceptance (September 1, 2027 - May 31, 2028).

• Teach four undergraduate courses during the academic year: one in fall semester, one in J-Term, and two in spring semester, which may include one or two courses in the First-Year Experience Program and/or co-teaching an upper-division course.
• Participate in PLU’s mentorship program, including teaching mentorship.
• Present scholarly work as part of campus or community events, particularly in collaboration with the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

• Knowledge of effective and inclusive teaching and learning strategies.
• Commitment to working effectively with a diverse faculty and student body.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching at the undergraduate level within a liberal arts setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Applicants must have received the…