Career Center

The Department of History at the University of Utah invites applications for a tenure track assistant professorship in pre-modern Middle East/North African and Islamic World History. A research specialization in the Middle East/North Africa between 600 and 1400 CE is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work with classical Arabic sources is required. Ability to work in other languages of regional or transregional relevance is preferred. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to research and to research-informed teaching at all levels of the undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

The teaching load is two courses per semester. Teaching responsibilities include survey courses of the Middle East and Islamic world as well as more specialized undergraduate and graduate courses related to the appointee’s area(s) of expertise. The successful candidate will teach the one-semester pre-1500 World History survey on a rotating basis and contribute to the department’s required undergraduate course on historical methods.

PhD preferred but ABD candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates from adjacent disciplines such as Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and/or Middle East/Islamic Studies are also encouraged to apply. In addition to a cover letter, CV, writing sample, and three letters of recommendation, please submit a 1-2 page statement addressing contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service. Applications are due by Friday, November 3, 2023, at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/151489. When submitting their dossier, applicants should be prepared to submit the names and email addresses of three recommenders, whom our system will automatically contact for letters to support the application. In accordance with University of Utah policy, any offer of appointment is contingent upon final approval of the President and Board of Trustees of the University of Utah.

History faculty have opportunities to participate in the University’s interdisciplinary Middle East Studies, Asian Studies, and Religious Studies programs among others, and may also contribute to the University’s initiatives in Environmental Humanities, Medical Humanities, and/or the Digital Humanities.

The Department of History is committed to removing barriers traditionally encountered by individuals from underrepresented groups; strives to recruit faculty who will further enhance our diversity; and makes every attempt to support their academic, professional, and personal success while they are here. The University of Utah recognizes that a diverse faculty benefits and enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. This institution offers benefits to same-sex and to different sex domestic partners. This institution offers benefits to spouses.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the university’s website (www.utah.edu) as well as specific offices and programs to learn more about the university’s commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• International and Area Studies https://ias.utah.edu/
• Aziz S. Atiya Collection for Middle East Studies. https://lib-utah-edu.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/collections/middle-east/
• Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. diversity.utah.edu
• The Department of History. history.utah.edu
• LGBT Resource Center. lgbt.utah.edu
• Black Cultural Center. https://diversity.utah.edu/centers/bcc/
• American Indian Resource Center. https://diversity.utah.edu/centers/airc/

The University of Utah has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation among research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation and is the flagship of the Utah System of Higher Education. The University is located in Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. This location offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, with ten world-class ski resorts and five national parks within hours of the city. Salt Lake City is the center of a metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1.25 million residents, has extensive arts and cultural activities, and has a new major international airport with a Delta Airlines hub and direct flights to most U.S. cities and direct international flights to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Mexico City. The area has received international recognition for its light rail system, foodie culture, downtown renewal, and increasing diversity. In 2023, U.S News and World Report ranked Utah the best state in America. (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2023-05-02/why-utah-is-the-best-state-in-america).

Salt Lake City is home to a robust array of diverse communities facilitating numerous opportunities for interaction with a range of civic and political organizations, given the city’s role as the governmental and social nerve center of the state. Utah public schools serve a diverse student body (statewide average: eight percent ELs and twenty-six percent non-white), notably higher in its urban districts. Utah is also home to the first state-legislated and funded K-16 dual language education model in the country. In 2017, U.S. News and World Report ranked Salt Lake City as the 10th best place to live in the nation. 

About University of Utah History Department

University of Utah History Department 26 Faculty, 2 Career Line, 4 Staff members,

Connections working at University of Utah History Department