Assistant Professor of Critical Game Studies

We welcome approaches that engage in games studies’ major intellectual strands, such as game narratives and narrative critique, game aesthetics, ludology, critical making, design, technology studies, or the rhetoric of games and gaming.

We seek candidates who are confident in producing cross-disciplinary, collaborative, and experimental games research. A record of research and publication will show the ability to translate hands-on work into theoretically informed and peer-recognized scholarship. Facility with interdisciplinary work will be evident through expertise in multiple areas of study and the creative combination of approaches.

Our department offers a wide variety of courses in game studies, and we are looking for candidates who are well prepared to teach in our current curriculum, as well as contribute to its ongoing development in this emerging field.

Candidates will also mentor undergraduate and graduate students in critical game studies and, if relevant, their secondary fields of expertise. Strong evidence of leadership and participation in game studies programs and initiatives will show a collaborative model for academic work. Public outreach, the sharing of resources, and community building will demonstrate generosity and engagement.

Candidates who apply for this position should demonstrate the traits described above and have a significant investment in critical game studies. They will work regularly with hands-on games studies methods, have a strong record of collaboration and working across disciplinary areas, and read and produce critical game studies scholarship. They may also have expertise in a complementary area of interest that would find a home in a department of English and comparative literature.

Our department strengths include literary studies; film and media; rhetoric and composition; creative writing; digital humanities; Latina/o studies; and health humanities. We also seek to grow in areas of environmental humanities; disability studies; and new media studies.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Department of English and Comparative Literature is committed to hiring an exceptional teacher/scholar who brings energy and a fresh perspective to their research, pedagogy, and service and who is ready to teach in our Critical Game Studies program. We seek candidates who can contribute to UNC’s academic mission as a public institution, especially through commitment to diversity of perspective, intercultural understanding, and engagement with local resources and communities. We encourage candidates to consult our website to learn about the Department’s curriculum, values, and mission. Candidates working across disciplines are encouraged to apply.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship institution of a strong state university system comprising 17 campuses across North Carolina; neighbor institutions within 25 miles include Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, and Meredith College. Chapel Hill is a vibrant college town near the Research Triangle economic hub and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Position Summary:

The Department of English and Comparative Literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Critical Game Studies. The successful candidate’s duties will include teaching, research, and service. The position will teach a 2-2 load made up of graduate and undergraduate courses; contribute to both undergraduate and graduate curricula; mentor students; participate in select administrative activities; and engage in ongoing scholarly research.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Ph.D. English or a relevant field and instructional experience at the college level by the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Demonstrated excellence in college-level teaching, a strong research portfolio, expertise in research methods, a history of collaboration, experience working in, or with, game studies programs, and evidence of administrative and service experience.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements:

N/A

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions:

To apply, please submit the following documents: A cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a twenty- to twenty-five page writing sample, and a syllabus for a course focused on critical game studies. If applicable, you can also submit a sample of material related to critical making. In addition, please submit the names of four references as part of your application. Letters of recommendation will be requested later and required for candidates to proceed to the interview stage. Review of applications will begin on October 19, 2026 and continue until November 30, 2026. Please upload all necessary documents to the application portal. If you have any search-related questions, feel free to contact the Search Committee Chair Martin Johnson at mlj@email.unc.edu. For any technical issues or application portal-related issues, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Sujata Paudel at paudels@unc.edu.

Organization

The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.

Here, in one of America’s most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.

Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894

Total Student Enrollment: 30,011

Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States

Type of Institution: Public, four-year

Undergraduate Admission: 15,961

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039

Total Student Enrollment: 26,000

Faculty: 3,000

Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent

Faculty/student ratio: 1/14

Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It’s a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Chapel Hill’s main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.

Origins of Carolina’s students: 82 percent of UNC’s freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.

Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400

Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.

Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!

Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina’s 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu

Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu

Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.

Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career

Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina’s state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina’s computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world’s busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.

Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.

Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci

The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad

The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors

Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.

UNC’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.

UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.

Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.

Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre-professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm