Assistant Professor of Latino/a/x Studies

Advertising Summary: The UF Center for Latin American Studies is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Latinx Studies. This is an exciting time for the Center as we are hiring three new faculty members to strengthen our commitment to diversity and equity. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in the social sciences or the humanities and conduct research at the nexus of race and gender. In addition to advising graduate students and teaching two courses per semester, the successful candidate will also help guide the Center for Latin American Studies. Inaugurated in 1931, the UF Center for Latin American Studies is one of the top-ranked and oldest centers of its kind, renowned for its richness and breadth of intellectual life sustained through dialogue among diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and identities.

 Position Description: The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida (https://www.latam.ufl.edu) seeks to strengthen an intellectual focus on Latinx Studies. As part of this commitment, the Center invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor starting August 16, 2023.

 We especially seek candidates with teaching and scholarly expertise that explores the nexus of race, gender, and intersectionality relative to Latinx studies. An ideal candidate will demonstrate deep knowledge of the origins and different histories of Latinx populations across Latin America and the Caribbean, and their work will address a broad geographic, temporal, and/or theoretical range. We especially encourage dynamic candidates who will develop a vibrant community around these topics in the Center to support both undergraduate and graduate students.

 The successful candidate will teach two graduate or undergraduate courses each semester, maintain an active research agenda, lead, and strengthen the Latinx Studies Specialization at the Center for Latin American Studies https://www.latam.ufl.edu/academics/graduate-programs/malas/las-specializations/latinx-studies-migration--transnational-studies/, recruit and advise graduate students, and provide service to the Center, University, and their respective fields.

 Qualifications: Applicants must show evidence of accomplishment or scholarly promise in relevant research areas, a commitment to teaching and student mentoring, and native or near-native proficiency in Spanish and English.

 Applicants must hold a Ph.D. by the position start date. Applications received by January 15, 2023, will receive fullest consideration, but the search committee will continue to review applications until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.

 About the Center: The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida is the longest running center dedicated to research, theory, and teaching about Latin America in the United States. It hosts an annual Bacardi Scholar program which invites a distinguished scholar of Latin American Studies to conduct a semester-long teaching and research residence. It also brings a Kislak Family Foundation Writer or Artist in residency for one semester. Additionally, the Center hosts an annual conference/workshop on an area of relevance to Latin American Studies that brings together scholars, graduate students, and practitioners to contribute to the advancement of research and thought surrounding key issues impacting communities across Latin America and the Latin American Diaspora.

The Center is home to a vibrant Masters in Latin American Studies (MALAS) program that attracts students from Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, and Asia. The MALAS program currently hosts 13 specializations to hone student focus. Other academic programs housed in the Center also include a Minor and Undergraduate Certificate in Latin American Studies, a Masters in Sustainable Development Practice, and Graduate Certificates in Latin American Studies and in Tropical Conservation and Development. The Center’s core and affiliate faculty, as well as its students, are supported by the UF Libraries’ Latin American and Caribbean Collection (LACC) and the George A. Smathers Libraries. The LACC holds a range of collections that attract scholars from around the world to the University of Florida campus, and it helps bolster teaching and research by offering immediate access to various archives, manuscripts, and texts. Center faculty have a unique opportunity to collaborate with critical research programs, centers, and institutes, like the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, an award-winning social justice research center. 

About the University: Founded in 1853, the University of Florida (UF) is a public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university and one of the most academically diverse universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks UF 5^th among public universities. Other national rankings, such as 2^nd by Forbes and 7th by Kiplinger, are a result of UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value. UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 200 research, service, and education centers, as well as various bureaus and institutes. UF boasts more than 4,000 faculty members, 50,000 students and 415,000 living alumni. Last year, faculty scholars generated more than 1 billion dollars in research awards. In 2013, the Florida Legislature designated UF as a “preeminent” state university. UF is also an “emerging” Hispanic serving institute with more than 23% of the full-time student body identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.

About the Area: UF is located in Gainesville, FL, a progressive college town in north central Florida that blends big-city cultural and athletic offerings with small-town friendliness and charm, along with excellent schools. Gainesville sits about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is often recognized as one of America’s best college towns, and is easily accessible from three major metropolitan areas (Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa). The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Gainesville as a “Tree City USA” every year since 1982. Add the allure of Florida’s famous sunshine, tropical breezes, and abundant wilderness, springs, rivers and seashores nearby, and it is little wonder that top-caliber faculty and students find our College and University to be the perfect balance of premier academics and a fulfilling lifestyle.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

The University of Florida offers low cost State Health plans, a number of Dental plans to fit you and your family’s needs, and Vision. Domestic partner coverage through GatorCare is also available. Optional plans such as life, disability, legal and accident insurance are also available.

Build your retirement roadmap with competitive pension plans, investment accounts and a host of voluntary add-ons, such as 457 deferred compensation and 403(b) plans.

UF provides a variety of leave programs including sick leave, paid holidays, and family medical leave. UF also provides you the flexibility to deal with life’s challenges by offering paid family leave, eight full weeks of leave over a 24-month period.

UF Employees are also eligible for the GatorPerks discount program, which provides big savings at various business and retailers!

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in the Social Sciences or Humanities, related to Latino/a/x Studies by the time of appointment

Preferred Qualifications: the successful candidate must be able to work with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.  We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.  The university has a student body of over 49,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including over 14,500 minority students and 6,000 international students.

Instructions for Submitting Application: Applications must be submitted online at Careers at UF https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/listing (Jon No. 524436) and must include (1) a cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a one-page teaching statement addressing possible courses (graduate and undergraduate); and (4) contact information for three professional references who will be prompted to submit letters through the online application system.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The chosen candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. by the position start date. Applications received by January 15, 2023, will receive fullest consideration, but the search committee will continue to review applications until the position is filled.