College Assistant Professor in English

University of Cambridge - Magdalene College

Location:CambridgeSalary:£38,636 to £42,091Hours:Full TimeContract Type:Permanent, Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:23rd March 2026Closes:20th April 2026

Magdalene College, Cambridge, seeks to appoint a College Assistant Professor in English from 1 September 2026. The post is for a term of three years and eleven months in the first instance; assuming satisfactory performance the contract is renewable beyond the fixed term to a permanent position, subject to election by the Governing Body. The successful candidate will be elected to an Official Fellowship for the duration of the post. Applicants should have a strong record of teaching English literature, as well as a record of research and publication commensurate with the stage of their career.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide College undergraduate teaching (supervisions) in at least two and preferably three papers of the English Tripos, as well as dissertations. Applications are invited from candidates working in any field of English Literature. Preference may be given to candidates who can combine period paper supervision with supervision in one of the compulsory cross-period papers, namely ‘Practical Criticism and Critical Practice’ (1&2) and ‘Tragedy’. The successful candidate will be expected to give preference in their supervising hours to Magdalene students, but supervisions may be given for other Colleges, in particular where this would assist with supervision swap arrangements. The successful candidate will be expected to offer 160 hours of teaching across the academic year (an average of 8 hours per week during full term).

For further details about the teaching of English at Magdalene see: https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/study-magdalene/undergraduate-study/subjects/english

For further details about the teaching of the English Tripos at Cambridge, including the list of current undergraduate papers: https://www.english.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/course.htm

The successful candidate will be expected to act as Director of Studies for some or all of the College’s undergraduate English students, and will participate in the admission of undergraduate students, which includes Open Days and outreach work. They will be expected to engage in research and publication, and in scholarly activities more broadly. The successful candidate will also be expected to take on a substantial College Office, such as Tutor (a pastoral support role) if requested to do so. Such roles would be additionally remunerated.

The annual stipend, depending upon experience, will be equivalent to points 41 to 44 of the Cambridge University Scale (currently £38,636 to £42,091), and is pensionable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

Applications for the College Assistant Professor in English position must be made through the CASC FAS online application system (via the above 'Apply' button).

Candidates should submit a covering letter (including details of teaching and administrative experience, and summarising current and planned research), their curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of two referees. Referees will receive an email with details of how to provide a reference through the CASC FAC online application system. Applicants are required to ask their referees to submit their references through the online application system by the closing date for applications. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that references are received.

Longlisted candidates will be invited to submit up to 10,000 words of unpublished or recently published written work. Shortlisted candidates will be additionally invited to submit a set of model teaching materials.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 20 April 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, expected to take place in June 2026. Interviews will be in-person or for specific circumstances may be via Zoom at the discretion of the appointments panel.