"Assistant Professor - Hebrew Bible - Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures"

The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (MELC) at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant Professor in Hebrew Bible, tenure track, with an expected start date of July 1, 2026.

Applications are welcome from scholars who investigate the Hebrew Bible in its ancient contexts and are engaged in interdisciplinary questions across the humanities and/or social sciences.

The successful applicant will join the MELC faculty who are dedicated to the study of the languages, literature, and material culture of the Middle East, from antiquity to today. Instructional responsibilities include teaching 3-4 courses/year at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including instruction in Biblical Hebrew. They will also be expected to collaborate in overseeing the Hebrew language program, contribute to teaching the department's introductory survey courses, mentor undergraduate students and supervise graduate students, and contribute to the department's diverse and inclusive community through their research, teaching, and/or service. The appointee will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of other campus units such as the Center for Jewish Studies and the Graduate Group in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology.

The department is committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples and single parents. We are also interested in candidates who have had non-traditional career paths or who have taken time off for family reasons, or who have achieved excellence in careers outside academia.

Department: https://melc.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application): PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start): Advanced training and competence in Biblical Hebrew with the proven ability to conduct research using primary sources; Literacy and proficiency in Biblical Hebrew sufficient to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching of primary sources; Engages with scholarship in one or more additional fields in the humanities and social sciences; Experience teaching undergraduate courses on the Hebrew Bible in the context of Judaism and other traditions.

Preferred qualifications: Training and competence in Northwest Semitic Languages such as Aramaic and Ugaritic with the ability to conduct research and teach with primary sources; Familiarity with relevant languages and scripts from the broader ancient Middle East and Mediterranean; Familiarity with Biblical Hebrew's contributions to later Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic textual sources; and its reception in Judaism and other cultural traditions; Ability to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements: Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. (The CV will include a list of publications, including forthcoming ones); Cover Letter - Including a statement of current and future research, and teaching plans and interests. The cover letter will describe the candidate's research trajectory, including methodologies; their teaching experience and plans (including suggested topics of undergraduate and graduate courses) and pedagogical approach; and examples of past and current service and future service interests; Writing Sample - One representative piece of writing, such as an article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter; Authorization to Release Information Form - A reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements: 3-5 required (contact information only). References will only be contacted for those candidates under serious consideration and we will seek your permission before doing so.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05107