Assistant Professor of Popular Literature and Director of English Secondary Education

Job Summary

The Department of Literature and Language at East Tennessee State University invites applicants for the position of Assistant Professor of Popular Literature and Director of English Secondary Education. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position. The teaching load is three courses each semester (fall and spring). The director will teach two courses per semester in the fields of Popular Literature (e.g., graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.)  and English Education and receive one course release per semester to supervise Residency 1 and 2 (student teaching) in fall and spring. The appointment is available to begin fall 2027.

The Director of English Secondary Education performs the following responsibilities: (1) mentors English teacher candidates, (2) develops courses related to English Education, (3) fosters relationships with partner school districts and local English teachers, and (4) acts as a liaison between the Department of Literature and Language and the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development.

Required Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in English or closely related field at the time of appointment

• Knowledge of current trends in Popular Literature

• Secondary English Education teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Publications and/or teaching experience in Popular Literature, Secondary Education, and/or Teaching Methods

• Experience working with high-needs students and/or traditionally underserved student populations

• Evidence of collaboration with stakeholders, such as students, teachers, and districts/counties

• Evidence of leadership in professional development

• Experience with trauma-informed teaching methods

• University teaching experience

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $62,000 plus benefits
• For information on benefits please visit www.etsu.edu/human-resources/benefits/.

Application Instructions

• Position open until filled. A priority review is given to applications submitted by November 2, 2026.

• Exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. The closing date for this posting is subject to change without notice to applicants. 

• For the application process, applicants must complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:

  • Cover Letter

  • Curriculum Vitae

  • Three Professional References (Include: name, phone number, and email address)

  • Statement of Teaching Philosophy

  • Unofficial Transcripts for all degrees earned

ETSU is an equal opportunity employer.

University Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution's mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.