Assistant Professor, Blue Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences
Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors
Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 350,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $88.8 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.
UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.
Job Overview
The College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in the Blue Humanities. This position is open to scholars who specialize in human-water interactions and who would contribute to broader conversations about the shifting roles of water in the era of climate change. Scholars trained in cultural and literary studies, ecocriticism, history, and/or environmental humanities who can address the materiality of water and have a demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary settings are encouraged to apply. Geographical and chronological focus are open.
Depending on the disciplinary background and preference of the successful candidate, the tenure home for this position may be in the Department of English, Department of History, or School of Environment and Sustainability. The successful candidate will join a new initiative in water and sustainability in the College of Arts and Sciences, which encourages public scholarship and interdisciplinary research The appointment will begin August 15, 2026. This position is not open to H-1B sponsorship.
Essential Functions
- Teach a 2-2 load. Teaching will be negotiated with the unit head and will include disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, including those in the School of Environment and Sustainability.
- Maintain an active research program in the Blue Humanities consistent with disciplinary expectations at a Research 1 Institution.
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students working in environmental humanities.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary conversations regarding human relationships to water in the past, present, and future.
- Provide service to the department, college, university, and community.
Minimum Requirements
A PhD in English, History, Environmental Humanities, or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment. Postsecondary teaching and/or mentoring experience are highly desired.
Application Process
Interested and qualified applicants must complete our online application. In addition to completing the online application, please submit a cover letter that explains how your experience and qualifications align with the requirements and responsibilities outlined in the job description, a full and current CV, and a list of three references. (Letters of reference will be requested for finalists.) UC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which works to bring out the best in our students, faculty, and staff to collaborate, create, innovate, and compete in a global society. We are seeking individuals who want to be a part of a dynamic team. As part of a complete application, you will be asked to include a statement on how you define a team and what makes a team function successfully. Please use the “additional documents” feature to include all these required items.
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 with applications accepted until the position is filled.
Questions should be directed to Dr. Laura Zanotti, Search Committee Chair at: Laura.Zanotti@uc.edu.
Compensation and Benefits
UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. (UC Benefits Link) Highlights include:
Comprehensive Tuition Remission
UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.
Robust Retirement Plans
As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.
Real Work-Life Balance
UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:
Vacation and sick time
11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)
6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents
Additional Benefits Include:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
- Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
- Professional development & mentorship opportunities
To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.uc.edu/careers.html
UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
Important: To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider “easy apply” applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@uc.edu.
FOR ALL FACULTY HIRES OFFICIAL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF HIRE
Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.
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Assistant Professor, Blue Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences
Cincinnati, OH, US
Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati
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