The Amherst College Department of French invites applications for an open-rank full-time position (at either the tenure-track or tenured level) with a focus in Francophone literatures and cultures, starting on July 1, 2025. Any appointment with tenure will be contingent upon a positive tenure review.
We seek candidates with scholarly expertise in one or more of the following regions and their diasporas: sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and/or Asia. We especially welcome an interdisciplinary approach with research interests in any combination of the following: colonial and post-colonial history, environmental humanities, medical humanities, gender and sexuality studies, and visual studies. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of active research, teaching excellence, and native or near-native fluency in French. A proven record of language instruction at the intermediate level is an essential component of the requested qualifications. The teaching load is two courses per semester, in addition to advising senior honors theses. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will engage in the life of the department and the college.
Candidates must have the Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in hand by the start of the appointment. Applications received by September 16, 2024, will be given full consideration. Candidates are asked to submit electronically to http://apply.interfolio.com/147279 an application letter of no more than two single-spaced pages addressed to “Professor Laure Katsaros, Department of French,” describing how their research interests and teaching experience and philosophy speak to the job description; a current curriculum vitae; three confidential letters of recommendation; a writing sample of no more than twenty-five double-spaced pages; and the titles and descriptions of three advanced-level literature and culture courses the candidate would offer (not exceeding 150 words per course). The application letter and curriculum vitae must be in English; the letters of recommendation, writing sample, and brief course descriptions may be either in English or in French. First-round interviews will be held via Zoom. Questions and inquiries may be addressed to our Departmental Coordinator Matthew Maxwell (mmaxwell@amherst.edu) or to Professor Laure Katsaros (lakatsaros@amherst.edu).
Amherst College is one of the most highly selective and diverse liberal arts colleges in the country. Nearly half of our students identify as domestic students of color, and another 11 percent are international, with non-U.S. citizenship; 16 percent are the first members of their families to attend college. Amherst is committed to providing financial aid that meets 100 percent of every student’s demonstrated need, and nearly 60 percent of our students receive financial aid. Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at teaching and mentoring students who are broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual identity, and religion.
