Visiting Assistant Professor

Department: WCAS Writing Program

Northwestern University's Cook Family Writing Program invites applications for a visiting assistant professor (VAP), beginning September 1, 2026. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. The initial contract for this position is one year, with the possibility of annual renewal for up to a total of three years.

This is a teaching-focused VAP position. This position is seeking candidates looking to change focus in their careers and who are eager for mentorship for their pedagogy in teaching technical and professional writing. Specifically, we are seeking recent PhDs in the humanities or qualitative social sciences who are interested in gaining knowledge and experience as technical and professional writing instructors for two courses offered by our program: (1) Writing and Speaking in Business and (2) Design Thinking and Communication (a course co-taught with faculty in the McCormick School of Engineering.) While successful candidates need not have prior experience teaching business or technical writing, candidates should have prior experience teaching writing as well as a strong interest in developing their teaching portfolios to include teaching technical and professional writing

Responsibilities in the first year of the VAP include teaching 4 classes per year: two quarter-long undergraduate courses in Writing and Speaking in Business and two quarter-long undergraduate courses in Design Thinking and Communication per academic year (in a 1/1/2 schedule). As preparation for these requirements, the VAP will receive ongoing mentorship from experienced Writing Program faculty. (To learn more about the Cook Family Writing Program, please visit: http://www.writingprogram.northwestern.edu/.) In subsequent years, responsibilities include teaching 6 classes per year of the same courses (2/2/2).

Requirements include a Ph.D. in the humanities or qualitative social sciences earned between January 2024-September 2026. All candidates must have a strong interest in co-teaching, working collaboratively with colleagues to develop course materials and pedagogy, and being mentored in technical and professional writing. Preference will be given to excellent teachers who have two or more years experience teaching writing.

Review of applications will begin on April 15 until the position is filled. Application materials-to be submitted online-include a letter of application that addresses the candidate's interest in teaching business and technical communication and seeking mentorship, CV, evidence of teaching excellence (e.g., statement of teaching philosophy, course syllabi, teaching evaluations from 2-3 recently taught courses, etc.), and a letter of recommendation that addresses the candidate's teaching abilities.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).

• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.

• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here:

Interested applicants should direct all questions to search committee chair Laura Pigozzi (laura.pigozzi@northwestern.edu). More information can be found here: https://writingprogram.northwestern.edu/about/faculty-search.html.

Salary Range

The expected base pay range for this position is $63,000 - $65,000.

This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment and is subject to negotiation.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.