Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - Medical and Health Humanities in the Francophone World

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Job Title: Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - Medical and Health Humanities in the Francophone World
Department: Arts and Sciences | French and Italian

Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Humanities-based Interdisciplinary World Languages and Cultures

Medical and Health Humanities

Department of French and Italian

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of French and Italian at The Ohio State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position in Humanities-based Interdisciplinary World Languages and Cultures beginning August 15, 2027. We aim to hire a dynamic scholar who will contribute to the vibrant and collegial intellectual communities of our department by engaging with interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, program development, community engagement, and service.

This is one of three Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor positions in Humanities-based Interdisciplinary World Languages and Cultures, the other two being in the departments of Germanic Languages and Literatures and Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures. We are also conducting searches for three Tenure-Track Assistant Professors position in Transnational World Language Studies in the departments of East Asian Languages and Literatures, Spanish and Portuguese, and Slavic and East Europeans Languages and Cultures.

In keeping with the department's commitment to interdisciplinarity, we are especially interested in scholars whose research is at the intersection of French, Francophone, and/or Kreyolophone studies and the medical or health humanities. Secondary specialization in one or more African languages or cultures, or in Italian, is welcome. Competitive candidates may engage questions of health, illness, healing, care, and embodiment through approaches that include critical disability studies; bioethics; environmental, legal, or (post/de)colonial perspectives on health; narrative medicine; and philosophies or critical histories of medicine.

Experience in and/or commitment to public-facing or community engaged scholarship is preferred, in particular around initiatives relating to working with undergraduate students through interdisciplinary experiential learning initiatives to help prepare them for a variety of careers.

Following a two-year Postdoctoral Scholar appointment, the Post-Doctoral Scholar will then transfer to a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant professor within the Department and the tenure clock will begin. The Postdoctoral Scholar positions are funded by the Mellon Foundation grant "Global Fluency, Career Agility: Transforming World Languages at Ohio State." Mellon Post-docs will focus time on research for up to two years allowing for an in-depth start on scholarship, teach one course per academic year, be involved with the Center for Languages, Literatures, and Cultures' extensive programming around preparing students to enter careers in our global environment, participate in the activities within the Department, and have a set of designated faculty mentors who are engaged in research on topics relating to world language education, global fluency and intercultural competence, and their area of specialization.

Performance Objectives

• Create scholarly publications and/or creative work and presentations.
• Teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and contribute to curriculum development.
  • Advance the Mellon-funded Transforming World Languages at OSU initiative by collaborating with faculty and staff across disciplines, contributing to innovative programming, and creating new courses that strengthen students' global fluency and intercultural competence.
• Develop and implements public-facing and community engaged scholarship.
• Initiate outreach, curricular collaboration, and public engagement programs with the sciences and health professions, and/or community-based organizations.
• Mentor and advises students across undergraduate and graduate levels, supporting their academic and professional development.
• Expand opportunities for experiential learning and undergraduate research.

Education and Experience Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in French or Francophone Studies or related field required at time of appointment which is August 15, 2027. ABDs welcome to apply.
• Native or near-native fluency in French.
• Candidates must demonstrate achievement or strong promise of scholarly success.

Desired:

• Experience in and/or commitment to public-facing or community engaged scholarship, teaching, and/or service.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application via Workday. https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Postdoctoral-Scholar-to-Tenure-Track-Assistant-Professor---Medical-and-Health-Humanities-in-the-Francophone-World_R160321-1

Application period closes November 20, 2026.

Inquiries may be directed to Prof. Jonathan Combs-Schilling, combs-schilling.1@osu.edu.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, engagement, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience, and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
• Attachment 5: A writing sample.

Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be asked to provide three letters of reference.

Additional Information:

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success.

Department Information

The Department of French and Italian is a multicultural and international department whose faculty, staff, and graduate students all aim to manifest the utility and indispensable nature of world languages to a vibrant university ecosystem, fostering plurilingualism and interculturalism in Ohio and beyond. We are engaged in groundbreaking research, multi- and cross-disciplinary endeavors, curricular innovation, and service and engagement efforts with the aim of adding to the well-being of members of the department, Ohio State students and staff, the university more broadly, the Columbus community, and the many disciplines with which we enter in dialogue. Therefore, the department values innovation in scholarship, pedagogy, and engagement efforts.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America's leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University's Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio's capital city, Ohio State's Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.

Location: Hagerty Hall (0037)
Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.