Inside Higher Ed
Assistant Professor of Educational Studies - Literacy Studies
Inside Higher Ed, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States
Assistant Professor of Educational Studies - Literacy Studies
Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Open Date: Jul 11, 2025
Description: The Department of Educational Studies at Swarthmore College invites applications for a tenure track position in Literacy Studies at the Assistant Professor level, beginning in fall 2026.
Responsibilities
Teaching responsibilities include two courses per term and thesis supervision as assigned by the department chair.
Typical courses and supervisory responsibilities include: the department’s introductory course, supervision of student teachers, an upper level honors seminar in Literacies, an intermediate level course related to the applicant’s research focus, and the two-credit Curriculum and Methods Seminar that accompanies student teaching.
Maintain an active research program with opportunities for student collaboration; expertise in PK-16 reading and writing instruction is expected. Candidates specializing in structured literacy, adolescent literacy, digital literacies, or content-area and disciplinary literacy are particularly encouraged to apply.
Engage in institutional and departmental service (e.g., attendance at weekly department meetings, department events, committee service, and department chairing).
Serve as a faculty advisor for majors, minors, and pre-majors, in addition to supervising senior theses.
The Department of Educational Studies at Swarthmore is collaborative and interdisciplinary, employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies to examine educational research, policy, theory, pedagogy, and related practices. The department supports students to develop informed perspectives on the role of education in society and to become leaders in various fields. We strive for environments where children and youth experience joy as learners and thrive, and we aim to contribute to a more just and equitable world through reflective, innovative, and collaborative work.
The department offers both course and honors majors in educational studies, as well as partnered majors with many College departments. Students may pursue elementary or secondary teacher certification through our program. Research and fieldwork are distinctive components of all majors. Faculty conduct engaged scholarship—research and practice grounded in partnerships with schools, practitioners, and communities, including opportunities for students to contribute as research assistants and collaborators.
Swarthmore College offers competitive start-up packages to support faculty research and teaching, funds for travel to professional meetings, summer support of undergraduate research collaborators, and a generous sabbatical policy. Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington, DE, Swarthmore is a selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. The College has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. For information on faculty diversity and excellence, see the Faculty Diversity and Excellence information for candidates.
Qualifications
Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Literacy Studies or a related discipline with post-doctoral research or similar experience following doctoral training.
K-12 teaching or school-based experience, preferably at the middle school or secondary level.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds and identities.
A program of innovative and impactful research with strong potential for future growth.
Application Instructions: The application process consists of four steps:
Expression of interest including a two-page cover letter describing qualifications and a curriculum vitae as part of the initial application.
Selected candidates will be invited to submit a complete dossier including: a teaching statement, a research statement, and three professional letters of recommendation. The teaching statement should describe teaching interests at undergraduate institutions, prior teaching experience, and approaches to teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. The research statement should describe the candidate’s program of research and its potential to engage undergraduate students. At least one letter should specifically comment on teaching. Applications will not be considered until letters are submitted.
Candidates may be invited to participate in a Zoom interview.
Candidates may be invited to campus to give a talk and interview with faculty and students.
Apply at: https://apply.interfolio.com/170184
Please address any questions to Educational Studies Department chair, K. Ann Renninger, at krennin1@swarthmore.edu. All expressions of interest received by October 6, 2025, will receive full consideration.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Open Date: Jul 11, 2025
Description: The Department of Educational Studies at Swarthmore College invites applications for a tenure track position in Literacy Studies at the Assistant Professor level, beginning in fall 2026.
Responsibilities
Teaching responsibilities include two courses per term and thesis supervision as assigned by the department chair.
Typical courses and supervisory responsibilities include: the department’s introductory course, supervision of student teachers, an upper level honors seminar in Literacies, an intermediate level course related to the applicant’s research focus, and the two-credit Curriculum and Methods Seminar that accompanies student teaching.
Maintain an active research program with opportunities for student collaboration; expertise in PK-16 reading and writing instruction is expected. Candidates specializing in structured literacy, adolescent literacy, digital literacies, or content-area and disciplinary literacy are particularly encouraged to apply.
Engage in institutional and departmental service (e.g., attendance at weekly department meetings, department events, committee service, and department chairing).
Serve as a faculty advisor for majors, minors, and pre-majors, in addition to supervising senior theses.
The Department of Educational Studies at Swarthmore is collaborative and interdisciplinary, employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies to examine educational research, policy, theory, pedagogy, and related practices. The department supports students to develop informed perspectives on the role of education in society and to become leaders in various fields. We strive for environments where children and youth experience joy as learners and thrive, and we aim to contribute to a more just and equitable world through reflective, innovative, and collaborative work.
The department offers both course and honors majors in educational studies, as well as partnered majors with many College departments. Students may pursue elementary or secondary teacher certification through our program. Research and fieldwork are distinctive components of all majors. Faculty conduct engaged scholarship—research and practice grounded in partnerships with schools, practitioners, and communities, including opportunities for students to contribute as research assistants and collaborators.
Swarthmore College offers competitive start-up packages to support faculty research and teaching, funds for travel to professional meetings, summer support of undergraduate research collaborators, and a generous sabbatical policy. Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington, DE, Swarthmore is a selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. The College has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. For information on faculty diversity and excellence, see the Faculty Diversity and Excellence information for candidates.
Qualifications
Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Literacy Studies or a related discipline with post-doctoral research or similar experience following doctoral training.
K-12 teaching or school-based experience, preferably at the middle school or secondary level.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds and identities.
A program of innovative and impactful research with strong potential for future growth.
Application Instructions: The application process consists of four steps:
Expression of interest including a two-page cover letter describing qualifications and a curriculum vitae as part of the initial application.
Selected candidates will be invited to submit a complete dossier including: a teaching statement, a research statement, and three professional letters of recommendation. The teaching statement should describe teaching interests at undergraduate institutions, prior teaching experience, and approaches to teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. The research statement should describe the candidate’s program of research and its potential to engage undergraduate students. At least one letter should specifically comment on teaching. Applications will not be considered until letters are submitted.
Candidates may be invited to participate in a Zoom interview.
Candidates may be invited to campus to give a talk and interview with faculty and students.
Apply at: https://apply.interfolio.com/170184
Please address any questions to Educational Studies Department chair, K. Ann Renninger, at krennin1@swarthmore.edu. All expressions of interest received by October 6, 2025, will receive full consideration.
#J-18808-Ljbffr