"Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track, School of Library & Information Sciences - 527028"

Position Summary

Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Detailed Position Information

The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies seeks a faculty member for a full-time, tenure-track position to begin August 16, 2026 at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position provides an exciting opportunity for an outstanding creative scholar and intellectual leader with a background in bookbinding and the preservation and conservation of paper-based materials to shape the character and direction of the School of Library and Information Studies which has a strong Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Book Arts program and an undergraduate minor in Book Arts.

• Maintain a robust and established research/creative production agenda in the area of bookbinding, preservation, and/or book studies that opens up new conversations, provides novel solutions, and offers new perspectives
• Attraction, advise, and mentor master’s students as part of our NASAD-accredited Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Book Arts program
• Teach two courses per semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels in the fall and spring. Instructional modes can include synchronous, online distance education and face-to-face.
• Expand and grow collaborative relationships across campus, within the larger book studies professions, and in other academic disciplines
• Develop and lead new scholarly, educational, and community initiatives (and actively advocate for existing initiatives) that promote the book arts across the University of Alabama and within the larger community, state, region, and beyond
• Actively participate and engage in relevant professional organizations at the state, national, and international levels
• Seek external grants/funding to support research/creative scholarship activities
• Exemplify a commitment to work with students, colleagues, and partners with a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and levels of experience with book arts

This position requires a highly organized individual with a commitment to outstanding job performance and demonstrated aptitude for, and experience in, research/creative production, studio practice, effective leadership, and teaching. Candidates must have excellent communication skills and writing capabilities, and demonstrate an ability to be responsive to individual student circumstances and positive in the work environment.

Review of applications begins August 16th, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the search should be directed to the search chair, Associate Professor Sarah Bryant at shbryant@ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned MFA in Book Arts and/or terminal degree in a related field
• Documented evidence of ability to maintain a sustained and rigorous research/creative scholarship agenda
• Demonstrated teaching ability in the areas of bookbinding and preservation and/or conservation of library and archival materials
• Demonstrated commitment to professional service
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse constituencies

Instructions and Required Materials for Application

Applicants must apply online and submit the following required materials: 1. Cover letter highlighting your overall match for the position 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Creative Research Portfolio of 10 to 15 examples of scholarship. (pdf format) 4. Teaching Philosophy 5. Names and contact information for three references