English Literature - Assistant Professor (Literary Studies and Creative Writing)

Trent University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Literary Studies and Creative Writing in the Department of English Literature at the rank of Assistant Professor to start July 1, 2025. The Department of English Literature is seeking an early career scholar with expertise in creative writing (prose and poetry) and literary study (open field). This is a unique position for a promising and versatile scholar and writer and an engaging teacher. This position is located at Trent’s Durham-GTA Campus and is subject to budgetary approval.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. (or be close to completion by the date of appointment) in English, Creative Writing, or a cognate discipline. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience and potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service commensurate with the Assistant Professor rank. Responsibilities will include developing and expanding a high-quality research program (involving some or all of creative writing, research- creation, and literary scholarship) including grant applications to Canada’s federal funding agencies (notably, SSHRC and the Canada Council for the Arts) and elsewhere. Responsibilities will also include teaching across the curriculum to majors and non-majors in the Department’s BA program in English Literature; contributing to the development of curriculum; and supporting the life of the department, campus, and the university through collegial service. The successful candidate will contribute to the Department of English Literature’s areas of strength in creative writing, as well as the study of Anglophone literary histories and literatures of social justice.

Trent University is one of the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Ontario, Canada with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Located in the Greater Toronto Area, in the city of Oshawa, Trent University Durham offers a learning experience that is the perfect blend of urban life and a closely knit-campus community, with small classes; generous, engaging, and caring teachers; and a diverse student population in a growing GTA region.

Information about the Department may be found at our website at www.trentu.ca/english

Qualified candidates are invited to submit applications in PDF format by email to [email protected], specifying “Creative Writing” in the subject heading. Applications should include a cover letter and a curriculum vitae (including confirmation to legally work in Canada); a research statement addressing current and future scholarship; evidence of an engaging, high-quality and active writing practice, including a sample of writing (max 25 pp); a teaching portfolio including a teaching philosophy statement and evidence of teaching effectiveness such as syllabi and a summary of teaching evaluations; and the names and contact information of three (3) references familiar with the candidate’s academic career who may be contacted to support the application. Candidates are invited to identify in their cover letter or in a separate document how they have incorporated social and/or environmental justice into their teaching, research, and service activities. Applicants may also submit a self- identification form as part of their application package.

Review of applications will begin on June 2, 2025.

Trent University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Preference will be given to candidates from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous People (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, or racialized groups and LGBTQ2+ people.

Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact [email protected].

While all applicants are thanked for their interest and applications to this position, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For further information about this position, please email Joel Baetz, Chair, Department of English Literature ([email protected]).