Assistant Professor – English – Pre-1700 Literature
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 14, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Oct 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Oct 23, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position description
The Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley is hiring two tenure-track Assistant Professors specializing in pre-1700 English literature. We welcome applications from scholars working on the medieval and early-modern vernacular literatures of England from a wide range of critical and theoretical perspectives. The position requires teaching our historical literature surveys from medieval literature through the mid-17th century.
Assistant Professors at Berkeley are expected to excel in research, teaching, and service. Elements of the position include the following: implementing a program of research that culminates in the publication of books and articles; developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate seminars and undergraduate lecture courses; mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; supervising dissertation research; and participating in various administrative activities in the English department and across the University. As one of the country's top programs, Berkeley's English department is a large and thriving intellectual community, offering ample opportunities for academic collaboration, faculty mentorship, and professional development.
The department is dedicated to the global and historical study of all literatures written in English. In our teaching, mentorship, and service, we aim to create an intellectual community characterized by both its variety and its collaborative spirit, not only within the department, but across the university and our discipline.
UC Berkeley values the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples, single parents, or those who may have taken time off for family reasons. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit the Office for Faculty Equity and Welfare's website.
Qualifications
PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.
Writing Sample - Please provide a writing sample of recent work (published or unpublished) of up to 10,000 words.
Authorization to Release Information Form - An institutional reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form.
Statement of Service - Please discuss specific prior and proposed academic, professional and/or public service activities. This can include, for example, participating in professional or scientific associations, serving on committees that advance department, campus or discipline goals, and conducting outreach activities.
- 3 required (contact information only)
Letters of recommendation will be requested only for those candidates under further consideration.
Help contact: jmccyoung@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, or discrimination. Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to institutional reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. More information is available on this website.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment