Current Openings

Open Rank Position in Black Visual Culture

The newly formed Department of Black Studies at the University of Rochester is searching for scholars whose research and teaching is particularly focused on Black Visual Culture. This is an open-rank search and the appointment may be at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-track), associate professor (with tenure), or professor. The term of appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2024.

Applications will be accepted through October 16, 2023.

We are particularly inviting applicants whose research and teaching engage in artistic and creative humanistic inquiry—through visual cultural analysis and examination of film, media, photography, art, performance, and other objects of study. We are especially interested in interdisciplinary scholars whose critical work attends to issues of racialized gender and sexuality. Applicants should have a strong research portfolio which expands Black Visual culture and demonstrates a record of excellence in research and teaching. While we welcome all areas of specialization, we are especially interested in scholars trained in Black studies; women’s, gender, and sexuality studies; ethnic studies and other interdisciplinary fields. This particular position would find great interest in the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies, as well as the Memorial Art Gallery. These presences illustrate the university of Rochester’s ongoing effort to expand the reach and impact of visual culture.

This search is part of a School of Arts & Sciences second cluster hiring initiative focused on scholars who do interdisciplinary research addressing critical issues in Black Studies. The University of Rochester is committed to identifying scholars doing path-breaking research on Blackness and who will enhance the university’s direction in this area.

Salary Ranges for this Position are:

  • Assistant Professor: 90,000-115,000
  • Associate Professor: 116,000-150,000
  • Professor: $155,000-215,000

Interested candidates should submit applications by October 16, 2023. Candidates for a position at the rank of associate or full professor should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Writing Sample (20-30 pages)
  • Names of at least three referees

Candidates for a position at the rank of assistant professor should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Research statement
  • Teaching statement
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Writing Sample (20-30 pages)
  • Names of at least three referees

For more information about The Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies, please visit the departmental website or contact the chair of the search committee, Professor Jeffrey McCune by email at jmccune@ur.rochester.edu, Chair of Faculty Programs and Departmental Initiatives in Department of Black Studies.

Apply Online


Open Rank Position in Global Black Studies

The newly formed Department of Black Studies at the University of Rochester is searching for scholars whose research and teaching is particularly focused in Global Black Studies, open to all areas of specialization, with preference given to candidates whose work is largely focused outside the United States. We are especially interested in candidates who bring new interdisciplinary perspectives to examining the Black Diaspora, through the use of innovative methodological, thematic, geographic, and analytical approaches. This is an open-rank search; the appointment may be at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-track), associate professor (with tenure), or professor. The term of appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2024. Applications will be accepted through October 16, 2023.

This search is part of a School of Arts & Sciences second cluster hiring initiative focused on scholars who do interdisciplinary research addressing critical issues in Black Studies. The University of Rochester is committed to identifying scholars doing path-breaking research on Blackness and who will enhance the University’s direction in this area.

Salary Ranges for this Position are:

  • Assistant Professor: 90,000-115,000
  • Associate Professor: 116,000-150,000
  • Professor: 155,000-215,000

Interested candidates should submit applications by October 16, 2023. Candidates for a position at the rank of associate or full professor should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Writing Sample (20-30 pages)
  • Names of at least three referees

Candidates for a position at the rank of assistant professor should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Research statement
  • Teaching statement
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Writing Sample (20-30 pages)
  • Names of at least three referees

For more information about The Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies, please visit the departmental website or contact the chair of the search committee, Professor John Michael by email at john.michael@rochester.edu, Interim Chair of the Department of Black Studies.

Apply Online


The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information,marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.