"Assistant/Associate Professor of Spanish Linguistics"

Job Details

The Department of Spanish at Western Michigan University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Spanish linguistics beginning August 15, 2026 at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Minimum qualifications include a PhD in Spanish linguistics and the ability to broaden the course offerings in Spanish linguistics. ABD status will be considered, but PhD must be awarded prior to August 1, 2026. Preferred candidates will be specialists in Spanish Sociolinguistics. Candidates with a background in any of the following additional fields are especially encouraged to apply: bilingualism, Spanish as a heritage language, text linguistics, corpus linguistics, and/or translation. Teaching experience, evidence of scholarly activity, native or near-native fluency in Spanish and English, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion are required. Responsibilities will include teaching across the Spanish curriculum, with emphasis on advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in Spanish language and linguistics, producing quality research, and participating in additional departmental, college, and university service. Salary and benefits are competitive.

This is an academic-year position, with the possibility of summer instructional assignments for additional compensation.

Responsibilities:

• Teach advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in Spanish language and linguistics.
• Teach introductory and intermediate undergraduate courses in Spanish language and culture as needed.
• Produce peer-reviewed, high-quality research.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• ABD status will be considered, but PhD must be awarded prior to August 1, 2026.
• Ability to develop new course offerings in Spanish linguistics.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Hispanic cultures.
• Teaching experience with potential to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Evidence of scholarly activity, with potential to make significant contributions to scholarly field.
• Native or near-native fluency in Spanish and English.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Spanish linguistics
• Expertise in Spanish Sociolinguistics
• Additional background in any of the following: bilingualism, Spanish as a heritage language, text linguistics, corpus linguistics, translation, and/or Spanish in contact with other languages.

The Department: The Department of Spanish includes 10 full-time and 1 part-time faculty members. It offers a comprehensive undergraduate program with approximately 100 majors and 100 minors. The department offers an MA in Hispanic Studies and a PhD in Spanish with approximately 20 graduate students enrolled, 14 of whom are Teaching Assistants. Experiential learning is at the heart of the department’s mission, with four highly successful faculty-led study abroad programs in Spain and Latin America, and service-learning opportunities. It also offers courses at three dual-enrollment programs.

The College: The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University is to ignite and sustain a passion for learning and discovery in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, to help students, staff, and faculty succeed in life and contribute to the betterment of our communities, from local to global. Our vision is to achieve excellence in all aspects of learning and discovery across the humanities, social sciences and sciences while fostering a climate of intellectual freedom. As articulated in the College of Arts and Sciences strategic plan, we are committed to fostering a community of diverse, inclusive, equitable, and globally-engaged scholars, learners, and leaders. With 22 departments and interdisciplinary schools and institutes, WMU’s largest college offers a broad range of learning opportunities and career paths for our students. CAS students are among the very top students in the country, having received awards including Goldwater Fellowships, Udall Scholarships, Boren Fellowships, and Fulbright awards, among others. For more information, see http://www.wmich.edu/cas/.

The University: In southwest Michigan, Western Michigan University (WMU) is a vibrant, nationally recognized student-centered research institution with an enrollment of nearly 18,000. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public institutions in the nation designated as research universities with high research activities. WMU is a globally-engaged university that promotes success for learners at all levels and stands out among America's more than 4,600 public and private degree-granting colleges and universities. WMU also recently received a $550 million endowed, multi-year Empowering Futures Gift, the largest gift for a public institution of higher education in U.S. history, which funds many projects and initiatives that aim to break down the barriers created by historic inequities.

Kalamazoo: Located just 2.5 hours from Chicago and Detroit by car, Kalamazoo is a diverse community offering a variety of cultural events, entertainment, and all-season recreation. The city supports an international keyboard competition and a nationally recognized symphony and has earned its reputation as a vibrant community theatre and visual arts scene. Through its Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo initiative, Kalamazoo is strongly committed to social justice, community development, and eliminating generational poverty. Kalamazoo also is the home of the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship program offered to all students graduating from Kalamazoo Public Schools that covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees to any Michigan public (and many private) institution(s) of higher learning.

Compensation: Salary is competitive. The academic year is eight months, beginning in late August and running through the end of April. Extra compensation may be available for summer teaching. Generous fringe benefits, including TIAA-CREF contributions, are provided.

Applications: Review of applications will begin on October 20 and will continue until the position is filled. To apply online, applicants should visit https://www.wmujobs.org/login. Materials submitted online should include: a) a cover letter that addresses fulfillment of qualifications, b) a curriculum vitae, c) complete official statistical data from the four most recent semesters of teaching evaluations, d) a statement of research interests, e) a statement of teaching philosophy, f) a copy of your graduate transcripts (unofficial copy is okay at this point), and g) a list of 3-5 references. All questions should be directed to Dr. Germán Zárate-Sández, Chair of the Search Committee, at german.zarate-sandez@wmich.edu.