Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish Peninsular Literature and Cultures

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas invites applications for a one-year, full-time, visiting Assistant Professor position in Spanish with a specialization in Spanish Peninsular Literatures and Cultures to begin September 1, 2026. This is a one-year, non-tenure-track position for the 2026-2027 academic year.

We seek a faculty member with demonstrated interest in and ability to teach across multiple areas of the Spanish curriculum. The successful candidate will be able to teach upper-division courses in Spanish Culture and Civilization and Introduction to Spanish (Hispanic) Literature, and multiple sections in our core Spanish language sequence. Ability to teach a graduate-level course in our online MA in Spanish would be a plus. We seek a Spanish Peninsular generalist, or specialization in any of the following: Medieval and Early Modern/Golden Age literature and culture, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century literature and culture, Twentieth Century and Contemporary literature and cultures; we also welcome concentrations/sub-specializations in Transatlantic and Postcolonial Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Visual Culture and Media, and/or Iberian Studies and Regionalism.

We seek a faculty member committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. The successful candidate will create inclusive learning environments that support students from diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds, including heritage Spanish speakers. Evidence of effective teaching informed by critical, culturally responsive pedagogical practices, reflective engagement with teaching and learning, and a collaborative approach to academic life is highly valued.

Faculty in this one-year position will teach six courses (24 credits) and are expected to maintain an active and productive research agenda and will also participate actively in departmental service and engage with relevant professional and disciplinary organizations.

About the Department of Modern and Classical Languages

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages serves undergraduate students in courses that fulfill the core requirement in Language and Culture with courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. It offers B.A. degrees in Classics, French, German and Spanish, and minors in Classics, French, German, Spanish, and Spanish for Health Professions. We also offer a fully online, graduate certificate and MA in Spanish. Our faculty members provide a high degree of personal attention within a supportive and intellectually rigorous educational environment that promotes meaningful student engagement and learning. We value excellence in teaching and are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all faculty and students.

About the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven, urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan centers, we are Minnesota’s largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. The College of Arts and Sciences is the foundation of the liberal arts at the University of St. Thomas. We give life to our liberal arts mission through a broad range of majors and minors and, importantly, through our core curriculum: a cohesive set of courses designed to promote critical thinking and provide a liberal arts foundation to all St. Thomas students. Our faculty are dedicated teachers and scholars who work closely with students to help them grow academically, creatively, and spiritually, ultimately preparing them for a complex world. Faculty and staff strive to create inclusive learning spaces that embrace the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and worldviews of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. Learn more about life as a faculty member at St. Thomas.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

Salary and Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits.
• All eligible full-time faculty may request Parental Leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-70,000.

The University of St. Thomas has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (U.S. or Foreign Equivalent) in Spanish (Hispanic Literatures and Cultures) or a related field, or alternatively, ABD candidates nearing completion of the Ph.D. will also be considered, with initial appointment at the rank of instructor.

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials: 

• Curriculum vitae (CV) that includes a list (and contact information) of three references able to address the candidate’s suitability for the position
• Written statement discussing the candidate’s teaching philosophy and commitment to undergraduate education and ability and interest in teaching at the graduate level
• Two pieces of evidence demonstrating teaching effectiveness, which may include student reports on instruction, peer evaluations, and/or other types of teaching assessment
• Written statement discussing the candidate’s research plans

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields.

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the job‑specific application. During this step, you will be asked to:

• Provide a cover letter that addresses the following:
  • the candidate’s interest in the position,
  • excellence in teaching and scholarship relative to the position, and
  • approaches to engagement with the university’s mission and convictions
• Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability self identification forms

Step 3.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to your teaching experience and qualifications.

• References will not be contacted without your permission
• Candidates who advance to the finalist phase will be asked to have their three references submit letters of recommendation.

No other documents will be considered as part of the application.

Review of application materials will begin on July 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search chair, Dr. Dan Tight (tigh6470@stthomas.edu) if you have any questions.