"Postgraduate Instructor in Theater and Performance Studies"

The Committee on Theater and Performance Studies(TAPS) at the University of Chicago invites applications for Postgraduate Instructors in Theater and Performance Studies with an expected start date of September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Selected candidates will pursue their research agenda under the guidance of a faculty mentor and will participate in the creative and intellectual life of TAPS and the Arts & Humanities Division, including by delivering public presentations of their artistic work and/or scholarship. Postgraduate Instructors will also teach three courses per year, including both Arts Core courses as well as electives in the history, practice, or theory of theater, dance, or performance. They will also serve as an adviser and/or mentor to undergraduate and graduate students in the program, and will participate in curriculum design and planning, as well as in other programmatic work in TAPS. The initial term of appointment will be two years, renewable up to one additional year following successful review.
TAPS comprises a vibrant undergraduate curriculum, an extensive co-curricular performance ecology, and an interdisciplinary PhD program, all of which are designed to explore and enliven the relation of critical inquiry to artistic practice. The Committee on Theater and Performance Studies encourages applications from candidates who share its commitment to robust creative practice and critical thinking—and to enlivening the dialogue between them.

Salary Range or Pay Grade:
Postgraduate Instructor: $70,000; This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment paid over twelve months. The position also includes a relocation allowance for qualifying expenses.
This position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Qualifications
We seek candidates with an active creative and/or research agenda in theater and/or performance studies and who can teach broadly at the university level in theater and/or performance studies. Applicants must have completed all requirements for receipt of a PhD, DFA, MFA, or other relevant terminal degree prior to the start of the appointment.

Application Instructions
Applicants must upload the following materials to the University of Chicago’s recruitment website at apply.interfolio.com/177874 by 10:59 PM Central Time/11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 18, 2025:
• CV
• Cover letter introducing teaching, research, and artistic interests / experiences, and detailing progress toward completion of the MFA, DFA, and/or PhD, if not in hand
• Two course descriptions (up to 250 words each) for courses in Theater and Performance Studies in the applicant's subfield
• Research statement describing applicant’s current and proposed scholarly and/or creative research and its significance (up to 2 single-spaced pages or 1200 words)
• Critical writing sample (publication or unpublished research paper or dissertation chapter) of up to 35 pages or 10,500 words
• Contact information for three references
Optional:
• Applicants with a creative practice may also supply a representative creative portfolio or link to a website with details about professional experience

Applicants may be asked to provide additional materials following the initial review of applications. Questions may be directed to Vicki Walden at vwalden@uchicago.edu. This position is contingent upon budgetary approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.