"CCIS - Assistant Professor, Renewable Contract, Book Arts, School of Library and Information Studies – 528411"

Department/Organization

207401 - School of Library and Info Studies

Rank

Assistant Professor

Position Summary

The University of Alabama School of Library & Information Studies (SLIS) in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama invites applications for a nine-month, non-tenure track renewable contract assistant professor in Book Arts to begin August 16, 2026.

Detailed Position Information

The University of Alabama School of Library & Information Studies (SLIS) in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama invites applications for a nine-month, non-tenure track renewable contract assistant professor in Book Arts to begin August 16, 2026.

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

This position provides an exciting opportunity for a passionate creative scholar and educator with a background in papermaking, digital design, and bookbinding or letterpress printing/printmaking 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.

This energetic individual is expected to:

• Maintain a modest research agenda relevant to their areas of expertise
• Teach four 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.
• Advise, and mentor master’s students as part of our NASAD-accredited Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Book Arts program
• Engage with colleagues and students in cross-disciplinary collaborative endeavors
• Supervise the management of the Book Arts studios
• Attract and recruit potential Book Arts graduate students for both the MFA and Certificate programs

This teaching focused position is based on a 3-year renewable contract cycle with opportunities for promotion. Successful applicants will display the ability to be an active and involved member of a highly collaborative faculty team. The standard teaching load for renewable contract faculty members is four courses per semester. All candidates are expected to engage in service to the School, College of Communication and Information Sciences, the University, and relevant professional communities.

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the search should be directed to the search chair, Professor Anna Embree at aembree@ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned MFA in Book Arts and/or terminal degree in a related field
• Demonstrated teaching ability in the areas of papermaking, digital design, bookbinding and/or letterpress printing/printmaking
• Demonstrated interest and ability in making Book Arts accessible and meaningful across disciplines
• Commitment to work with students, colleagues, and partners with a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and levels of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Active involvement in relevant professional organizations
• Previous experience teaching and supervising graduate students in the Book Arts

Instructions and Required Materials for Application

Applicants must apply online at https://careers.ua.edu/jobs/search/college-of-communication-information-sciences and submit the following required materials.

1. Cover letter highlighting your overall match for the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Names and contact information for three references
4. Teaching philosophy
5. Creative Research Portfolio of 10 to 15 examples of scholarship (pdf format)

Special Instructions to Applicants: Prior to hiring, the final candidate must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and submit “official” university transcript(s) of all graduate level coursework.