Virginia and Tom Williams Endowed Chair of American Literature, Department of English

Position Description

The Department of English at Baylor University invites applications for the Virginia and Tom Williams Endowed Chair of American Literature at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor with Tenure. We welcome applications from candidates with specialization in any era, methodology, or critical perspective within American literature, broadly defined.

Teaching will include graduate and undergraduate courses in American Literature. Candidates should demonstrate a well-defined and productive research agenda, teaching excellence, and a willingness to serve the department, university, profession, and community. The ability to seek external funding is strongly encouraged to support research. Experience in public-facing scholarship or programs, and a willingness to develop such programs at Baylor, is desirable.

Because Baylor is a Christian university, candidates should also demonstrate a faith commitment and an active spiritual life.

Candidates who are outside of the United States and do not have other nonimmigrant visa status will not be sponsored for an H-1B petition.

The English Department at Baylor University is organized into three programs:
Literature and Creative Writing, Professional Writing and Rhetoric, and Linguistics. Each program offers an undergraduate major. The department also offers a minor in Creative Writing, an MA in English, and PhD in English.

Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and is the oldest college in the state. It has a diverse student population of 21,000 and is recognized as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification. Baylor is also noted on the honor roll of "Great Colleges to Work For" by Modern Think. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, allowing faculty and staff to live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state.

As a Christian university with historic Baptist roots and as reflected in the Notice of Non-Discrimination, Baylor strives to be a place characterized by civility and respect. We believe each student, faculty, staff, and administrator is made in the image of God. Baylor's new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, guides the University as it continues its mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

• PhD in English or related discipline.
• Evidence of a productive research agenda in American literary studies that demonstrates a national or international reputation in the field.
• Evidence of exceptional undergraduate and/or graduate level teaching in American literature.
• Experience mentoring and supervising undergraduate and/or graduate research in American literature.

Please submit the following materials through Interfolio: (a) a letter of application, (b) curriculum vitae, (c) transcripts (submit the official transcript for the Ph.D. or highest degree earned), (d) a writing sample, (e) three letters of recommendation, and (f) a completed Religious Affiliation Form (RAF). The Religious Affiliation Form is a brief description of your past or current involvement in a faith community and your desire to participate in a faith community while serving as a faculty member at Baylor.

All materials must be received by 11 PM Central on 09/25/2026. Questions concerning the position should be directed to Search Committee Chair Dr. Luke Ferretter at .

Baylor University, a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, military service, genetic information, and disability. Baylor complies with statutory Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity requirements. Baylor's full official Notice of Non-Discrimination may be read online.