What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lecturer position at Inside Higher Ed?
Position OverviewThe Department of English at the University of Kansas seeks applicants for full-time Lecturer openings. Lecturers are non-tenure-track members of the faculty whose primary role is instruction with no obligations to perform research or service. Though usually lecturer appointments are for teaching First- Year Writing English courses, applicants may be hired, as the department needs them, to teach other courses at a higher level for which they are specifically qualified.
Employment will be full- time and contracts will be committed on an academic year basis for one year appointments. Normally, lecturers can expect to teach in the fall and spring semester two-four sections of one of the first two required composition courses. There is a possibility that extra sections of these courses could be available in the fall, depending on enrollment, and that lecturers could be reappointed for subsequent years if their teaching performances are strong. We must emphasize, however, that for budgetary reasons we may not be able to retain new lecturers past the initial contract period. During the first year of teaching English courses at KU, lecturers must attend an orientation session in August before classes start, meet with a supervisory teacher who will observe at least one class session, and review grading practices.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, that UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and that it is their right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
The successful candidate must have appropriate authorization to work in the U.S. before employment begins.Job Description100% Instructional Duties:
Contact Information to ApplicantsProfessor Sonya Lancaster
sonyal@ku.edu
Department of English Wescoe Hall
Advertised Salary RangeCommensurate with qualifications and experience.Application Review BeginsMonday June 15, 2026Anticipated Start DateTuesday August 18, 2026Apply to Job
Employment will be full- time and contracts will be committed on an academic year basis for one year appointments. Normally, lecturers can expect to teach in the fall and spring semester two-four sections of one of the first two required composition courses. There is a possibility that extra sections of these courses could be available in the fall, depending on enrollment, and that lecturers could be reappointed for subsequent years if their teaching performances are strong. We must emphasize, however, that for budgetary reasons we may not be able to retain new lecturers past the initial contract period. During the first year of teaching English courses at KU, lecturers must attend an orientation session in August before classes start, meet with a supervisory teacher who will observe at least one class session, and review grading practices.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics, that UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and that it is their right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
The successful candidate must have appropriate authorization to work in the U.S. before employment begins.Job Description100% Instructional Duties:
- Teach a specified number of either undergraduate or graduate courses per semester (online* or in-person).
- Prepare for and attend all class meetings. Develop assignments, design class activities, respond to and evaluate student work, assign grades, and provide timely feedback and instructor/student interaction.
- Hold regular office hours for students involved in classes taught. Three office hours each week are required. Be available for reasonable appointments if a student cannot meet during scheduled office hours.
- Adhere to departmental, college and university policies.
- While teaching online courses are part of the possible duties, there will also be a need to be available for instruction and meetings at the Lawrence, KS campus.Required QualificationsEvaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of work experience and educational experiences in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in the C. V., and (3) information provided from professional references.
- A graduate degree in English (M. A. or higher). Lecturers teaching undergraduate courses are required to have at least a Masters in the discipline; OR, if they hold a Masters degree in a discipline other than English, they must have a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or subfield in which they teach. Lecturers teaching graduate courses are required to have a Ph.D. in English. Exceptions to this requirement are possible but must be approved individually by the College Dean and the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
- A record of successful college-level teaching of English composition or critical reading and writing and have completed four years of relevant experience.
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A cover letter that explains teaching and educational experience (what courses, where they were taught) and describes a teaching philosophy
- The names and contact information (including email addresses) for three references.
Contact Information to ApplicantsProfessor Sonya Lancaster
sonyal@ku.edu
Department of English Wescoe Hall
Advertised Salary RangeCommensurate with qualifications and experience.Application Review BeginsMonday June 15, 2026Anticipated Start DateTuesday August 18, 2026Apply to Job