Faculty Opportunity: Associate Professor & Graduate Programs Director, Children’s Literature – Simmons University

Faculty Opportunity: Associate Professor & Graduate Programs Director, Children’s Literature – Simmons University

• Institution: Simmons University

• School: Gwen Ifill School of Humanities, Media, and Social Sciences

• Department / Program: Literature & Writing / Graduate Programs in Children’s Literature

• Position: Associate Professor (Tenure-Track) and Graduate Programs Director, Children’s Literature

• Additional Leadership Role: Director, Center for the Study of Children’s Literature

• Job Requisition ID: R12367

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

• Expected Start: Fall 2027

• Salary / Remuneration: Approximately INR 79.57 lakh – INR 83.36 lakh annually

• Benefits Status: Benefits Eligible

• Application Review Begins: December 15, 2026

• Final Closing Status: Not specified

Overview of the Role

Simmons University invites applications for a tenure-track Associate Professor in Children’s Literature who will also serve as Graduate Programs Director and Director of the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature.

The position is supported by the Children’s Literature Alumni Fund for Faculty and is intended for an established scholar or professional with expertise in children’s and young adult literature, teaching, scholarship, and academic leadership.

The successful candidate will help shape the future of Simmons’ Children’s Literature graduate programs, the Center, and related academic and professional partnerships.

Academic & Leadership Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.

• Conduct scholarly research.

• Serve as Graduate Programs Director.

• Serve as Director of the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature.

• Oversee the Summer Institutes in Children’s Literature.

• Lead curriculum development and oversight.

• Maintain academic quality across the graduate programs.

• Support faculty supervision and development.

• Contribute to student recruitment and retention.

• Work with the graduate student advisory group.

• Oversee the BookNook.

• Supervise the Graduate Fellow and Teaching Assistants.

• Advise graduate students.

• Potentially advise undergraduate Literature and Writing students.

• Participate actively in service and shared academic leadership.

Teaching Areas

Candidates with the ability to teach in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:

• Literary Theory

• Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature

• Young Adult Literature

• Genre and Form

• History and Historicity

• Intersections of Critical and Professional Practice

Teaching may include:

• Graduate seminars

• Undergraduate general education courses

• Courses within the candidate’s specialization

The primary teaching location is the Boston campus, although teaching opportunities in Amherst at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book may also be possible.

Candidate Profile

Simmons seeks a candidate with:

• Deep knowledge of primarily Anglophone historical and contemporary literature for children and young adults.

• Grounding in literary or critical theoretical approaches.

• Strong commitment to graduate teaching.

• Experience working with diverse student populations.

• Knowledge of and experience with the children’s and young adult trade publishing industry.

• Strong scholarship.

• Demonstrated academic or professional leadership.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Excellent college-level teaching.

• Strong record of scholarship.

• Administrative experience.

• Ability to teach students from varied backgrounds at undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Commitment to collegiality within the university community.

Academic qualifications may include:

• MA or MFA considered

• Ph.D. in Children’s Literature or a related discipline preferred

Salary / Remuneration

The advertised annual salary range is:

USD 84,000 – USD 88,000

Approximately:

INR 79.57 lakh – INR 83.36 lakh annually

Final compensation will depend on factors such as experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market benchmarks.

The position is benefits eligible.

Application Checklist

Applicants should submit:

1. Letter of Application

   • Teaching experience

   • Teaching philosophy

   • Course or content interests

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Teaching Dossier

   • Evidence of excellence in teaching

4. Published Scholarship Sample

References will be requested at a later stage.

Nature of Appointment

• Full-Time

• Tenure-Track

• Associate Professor

• Academic Leadership Role

• Graduate Program Administration

• Teaching, Research, Advising, and Service

• Center Directorship

• Benefits Eligible

Important Date

Application Review Begins: December 15, 2026

The posting does not provide a final closing date.

Applicants should therefore submit by December 15, 2026 for timely consideration.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Simmons University Workday careers portal.

Job Requisition ID: R12367

Search for:

Associate Professor (tenure-track) and Graduate Programs Director, Children’s Literature

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