The Department of French and Italian in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies with a specialization in Global French. The start date is August 15, 2025. The term Global French is an umbrella term for all French-speaking cultures, including France. We are interested in candidates whose work centers on Francophone, colonial, and/or post-colonial studies. We are especially interested in candidates whose teaching and research demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement with the broader Francosphere and who bring a transnational, translingual and/or comparative approach to Francophone Studies.
This position will focus on research in areas such as African studies, Afro-European studies, Caribbean studies, French Pacific studies, Middle East and North African studies, comparative colonial or postcolonial studies, diaspora studies, environmental studies, screen media/popular culture studies, gender and sexuality studies, the digital humanities, disability studies, or performance studies.
Performance Objectives
We seek a colleague who will:
develop General Education courses in English that appeal to a diverse student body;
create Distance Learning courses;
contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives across campus relating to their research and teaching areas; and
teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
Teaching duties include literary and cultural studies courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels offered in the French and English languages, including the opportunity to run a summer education abroad program in Paris.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required: Native or near-native proficiency in French and English; PhD in French and Francophone studies or a related field required at time of appointment (August 15, 2025). ABDs welcome to apply.
Desired: Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to building a diverse intellectual community, in line with OSUs Shared Values (see below).
Tenure faculty (regardless of rank) - persons with the titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor and instructor who serve on appointments totaling 50% or more service to the university and who are eligible for tenure or who have obtained tenure. Duties and responsibilities are assigned in accordance with the workload guidelines laid out in the pattern of administration of each faculty members tenure initiation unit (TIU) and, as appropriate, regional campus; obligations will include research, service and/or teaching or clinical practice. These faculty will have earned doctorate or other terminal degree in the relevant field of study or possession of equivalent experience.
How to Apply
A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements, a writing sample, 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: 1-2 page summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: 1-2 page statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
Attachment 5: A writing sample of up to 25 pages (in English or French).
Please be aware, you will not be able to edit your application or attachments after you apply. You will need to fill out the application in its entirety and upload all required documents before clicking Submit.
You may be asked provide names and contact information for three reference letters later in the search.
Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2024. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Lucille Toth at [email protected]
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
The mission of the Department of French and Italian at the Ohio State University is to manifest the utility and indispensable nature of world languages to a vibrant university ecosystem, fostering plurilingualism and interculturalism in Ohio and beyond. We write, think, and teach about global issues, such as ethnocentrism, empathy, migration, contending with coloniality, new strategies of transnational connection, global health and wellness, and the ethics of consumption. We offer undergraduate majors and minors in French & Francophone Studies, Italian, and Romance Studies; and MA and PhD degrees in French and Italian.
The University
Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of Americas 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 Universitys 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.
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.
Located in Ohios capital city, Ohio States 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. Beyond 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 the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.
The Ohio State University is a dynamic community of diverse resources, where opportunity thrives and where individuals transform themselves and the world. Founded in 1870, Ohio State is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 63,000 students (including 57,000 in Columbus), the Wexner Medical Center, 14 colleges, 80 centers and 175 majors, the university offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions.