Position Description

Slavery and its Aftermaths

Department of African American and African Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of African American and African Studies to start on August 15, 2024. We are seeking a scholar working in the mid-19^th through the 20^th centuries in the Americas (including the U.S.) whose research demonstrates innovative historiographic methods and novel approaches to the study of slavery’s world-defining impacts. The successful candidate will both research and teach a wide range of archival materials which could include oral sources, antiquities, literature, electronic media, and creative works, and focus on the US and/or the Americas from a global perspective. Teaching and research areas of interest might include Black identity and community-formation in “the long 20^th century,” the US Civil War and/or Reconstruction era, the Nadir, the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras, or a comparative examination of these, or similar movements throughout the Americas. Especially welcome are teaching and research interests in anti-slavery campaigns, Black liberation struggles, and cultural, political, and artistic movements responding to institutionalized forms of racism and discrimination. The successful candidate will teach courses across the full range of the department’s curriculum, from introductory to upper division seminars, as well as general education courses and those that reflect their research expertise.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: PhD in hand by August 15, 2024, in Black studies, history, or a related field. ABDs welcome to apply. Candidates should demonstrate achievement or strong promise of scholarly success.

Desired: Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, in line with Ohio State’s Shared Values (see below).

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Professor_R89173-1. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements, and three letters of reference.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.

You will be asked for names and contact information for three reference letters at a later date.

Review of applications will begin on December 10, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Ousman Kobo at kobo.1@osu.edu

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

In recent years, the College of Arts and Sciences with the generous help of the Mellon Foundation has made significant investments in African American and African Studies at the Ohio State University. With a rapidly expanding faculty, a competitive postdoctoral fellow-to-faculty program, strong course enrollments, and a reinvigorated graduate program, AAAS is poised to become an international leader in Black Studies. These developments and our newly renovated Community Extension Center offer AAAS a unique opportunity to reimagine undergraduate education and community engagement in the 21^st century.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.  

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.