Job Summary
The
Program for Writing and
Rhetoric (PWR) and the
College of Arts & Sciences Residential Academic Program
(A&S RAP) at the University of Colorado Boulder invite
applications for a joint Assistant Teaching Professor position. The
successful candidate will teach lower and upper-division
undergraduate courses for PWR with opportunities to contribute to
an
Interdisciplinary
Writing Certificate , a minor in
Writing and Public Engagement , and PWR’s
ten areas of academic
expertise . The candidate will also teach lower-division
undergraduate courses for the A&S RAP. We seek a colleague
committed to first-year composition as well as to sustainability
with experience developing inclusive writing pedagogies focused on
environmental writing, environmental rhetorics and justice, and
rhetorics of science. We especially seek candidates whose teaching
attends to the intersections of environmental and social justice,
pointing to the ways in which climate, policies, and discourses
impact vulnerable communities and the planet. An anticipated start
date for this position is fall 2026.
To support this joint appointment, we especially seek a candidate
who is committed to lower-division writing education and to
creating a dynamic, collaborative learning environment for CU
Boulder’s incoming class of students. We strongly desire candidates
who engage in innovative digital pedagogy and strive to enhance
students’ digital, information, and AI literacy. A strong interest
in working with first-year and transfer students is also highly
valued.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
This Assistant Teaching Professor role is designed as a dual
position, with the successful candidate teaching for both the
Program for Writing & Rhetoric (PWR) and for the A&S
Residential Academic Program (RAP).
PWR is an active community of teachers, scholars, and writers
committed to making writing central to undergraduate education.
Many teaching professors are active writers, publishing
op-eds in local newspapers;
poems ,
fiction , and
creative non-fiction for
literary journals; and
scholarly works
for
composition
studies and
beyond
. Through small class sizes and intensive workshops, we train
students to think critically and write persuasively in diverse
genres, modes, and media and contexts—academic, civic,
professional, and personal.
PWR’s
award-winning
program has been made possible by a long tradition of highly valued
and long-serving teaching professors working alongside a small
group of tenure-track faculty. Together, PWR faculty strive to
expand students’ critical literacy practices and open up
opportunities for students to present their work
publicly , engage with
community
organizations , and produce journals of undergraduate writing
such as
Hindsight
. PWR is also committed to expanding applied writing curricula at
CU Boulder by working on writing across the curriculum and writing
in the disciplines initiatives.
Like CU Boulder on the whole, PWR is committed to generating a
community and a curriculum whose excellence is premised on
diversity, equity and inclusion. PWR seeks candidates who share
this commitment and demonstrate understanding of the experiences of
those historically underrepresented in higher education. PWR
welcomes applications from minoritized racial and ethnic
identities, ciswomen, non-normative genders and sexualities,
persons with disabilities, and others who have encountered legacies
of marginalization.
The
College of Arts & Sciences Residential Academic Program
(RAP) believes inclusive and effective teaching begins with
recognizing and supporting the many ways students learn, grow, and
engage. Our educators foster welcoming classroom and community
environments that value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and
experiences. RAP faculty are committed to evidence-based and
innovative teaching practices that challenge and support students
through active learning, mentorship, research, and creative
engagement. Our programs emphasize clear learning goals, thoughtful
curriculum design, and continual improvement through feedback and
reflection. Beyond the classroom, we strive to cultivate belonging,
identity, and meaningful connections that support students’
academic, professional, and personal development.
The RAP mission is to provide an inclusive living-learning
environment that helps first-year students to develop a sense of
intellectual purpose and equips them to become active participants
in the life of a major research university. Through small classes,
connections with faculty and staff who are experts in undergraduate
education, and rich offerings of curricular and co-curricular
activities, the RAP supports students in the development of habits
of inquiry, critical thinking, and creativity that will prepare
them for a lifetime of learning and leadership.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Teaching small (~20 students), seminar-style courses to
first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences RAP.
Course material and expectations must be coordinated with what is
provided in the PWR cognate department.
Teaching lower (in RAPs & PWR) and upper-division (in PWR)
undergraduate courses capped at 19 students.
Developing and hosting cocurricular activities for students in
your RAP courses, designed to enhance the classroom experience and
build community between students and faculty.
Participating in departmental service, including but not
limited to mentoring students, serving on committees, serving the
A&S RAP and PWR departments and the broader campus
community.
What You Should Know
This unique position works within both the PWR (50%) and RAP (50%)
departments.
The PWR is a community of educators whose primary interest is
student-engaged pedagogy. We are committed to challenging our
students to think and compose in ways that are both rigorous and
provocative. The PWR prizes innovation grounded in tenets of
composition best practices. The PWR is currently working to design
an interdisciplinary science writing minor as well as a new major
in Public and Professional Writing. PWR seeks a candidate who can
contribute to both these degrees, should they come to fruition. As
a program with a strong commitment to civic, public, and community
engagement, PWR is also seeking a candidate who prioritizes
applied, hands-on learning experiences for students.
RAP faculty cultivate enriching living-learning communities that
serve as hubs of support, connection, and academic curiosity for
first-year students. They are expected to dedicate extra time to
their students as compared to what is typically expected in most
other introductory-level classes. RAP faculty get to know their
students as individuals, track student performance more closely,
connect students with campus support services when needed, and
provide general mentorship to students as they adapt to
college-level academic work. The RAPs function as a foundation of
support for first-year students and serve as a springboard for
their continuous intellectual, personal, and social growth at
CU.
PWR/RAP Assistant Teaching Professors
- Hold a position with 85% of duties and responsibilities
allocated to teaching and 15% to service.
- Regularly teach 12 credit hours per semester of lower and
upper-division courses each year, with class enrollments capped at
19 students.
- Hold renewable, multi-year positions with the expectation of
long-term professional commitments to teaching.
- Contribute service to the unit, college, and/or campus in ways
that are appropriate to rank.
- Participate in local, regional, and national professional
development activities.
What We Can Offer
We offer a starting salary of $62,500 per academic year with full
benefits. Assistant Teaching professors are eligible for faculty
development funding as well as program, college, and
university-wide teaching awards and grants. Salary adjustments
based on annual merit evaluations are made annually contingent on
available funds.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through
the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- A PhD in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies or an M.A. in
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies + 5 years of teaching in
higher education. Candidates must demonstrate inclusive writing
pedagogy and the ability to work with a range of diverse students.
Candidates must have a PhD/terminal degree/or equivalent
degree/experience in-hand by August 1, 2027.
- Candidates must have demonstrated experience teaching in
environmental rhetorics and rhetorics of science as well as
experience teaching digital, information, and AI literacies.
- Candidates must have demonstrated commitment to inclusive
excellence through teaching, research, and/or service.
What You Will Need
- Two years of higher education experience teaching a wide range
of lower-division and upper-division courses that align with and
extend PWR’s extensive course offerings.
- Strong preparation for contributing to PWR’s mission and various
initiatives.
- Demonstrated commitment to student-centered pedagogy that
promotes critical multi-literacies while considering diverse
abilities and needs.
What We Would Like You to Have
Experience teaching in multiple
instruction modes including in-person, remote, and
hybrid.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Cover letter that speaks directly to identified needs and
required qualifications in the job ad.
- CV
- Two Sample Syllabi: (combined into one pdf) one for a
first-year writing course; another for a writing course of your
choice
- Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide a brief
statement of their teaching philosophy.
- Finalists can expect to participate in an hour-long zoom
meeting to include a multi-modal delivery of a 20-minute teaching
demonstration and a 30-minute follow-up interview with time for
candidate questions.
- The position will begin in Fall 2027.
During the application process you will need to enter contact
information for two references. Final candidates will be asked to
provide 2 letters of recommendation. The hiring committee will use
reference information listed in the application to directly request
recommendation letters from references.
For full consideration, applications must be submitted by
Monday, October 15, 2026 .
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, please apply through
CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Laurie Gries
Posting Contact Email: legries@colorado.edu