What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visiting Assistant Professor in Classics position at Inside Higher Ed?
Position OverviewThe Department of Classics at the University of Kansas invites applications for one non-tenure track, limited term appointment at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor. The position is for one academic year, beginning on August 18, 2026. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Classics or a closely related field with a specialty in Latin literature and culture (expected by the start date of the appointment). The successful candidate should demonstrate excellence in teaching as well as a strong record of research in Classics. The teaching load is three courses in the fall and three courses in the spring, including introductory through MA-level Latin courses and courses in ancient literature, culture, and history in translation.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the time of appointment.
The University of Kansas is located in the beautiful, historic, and culturally vibrant city of Lawrence, a thriving community 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area and 30 minutes from the state capital, Topeka. Lawrence, a progressive college town of 95,000, boasts a lively downtown with many music venues, award-winning restaurants, and a nationally celebrated independent bookstore among its many independently owned small businesses. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral and research university and is one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.
The Classics Department maintains an excellent undergraduate program and one of the top MA programs in the country. It enjoys close collaborative relationships with KU’s departments of Theater and Film; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; History; History of Art; Religious Studies; Philosophy; and Jewish Studies.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.Job DescriptionTeaching/Advising (60%): Teach three courses in the fall and three courses in the spring at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including introductory through MA-level courses in Latin and courses in ancient literature and culture in translation. Teaching duties include developing syllabi, preparing and teaching lectures, creating, administering, and grading homework assignments and exams, holding regular office hours, and supervising Graduate Teaching Assistants when appropriate. Advising duties may include mentoring graduate students in the Classics Department and serving on undergraduate and graduate thesis and exam committees, as appropriate.
Research (30%): Establish and maintain an active and productive program of research within area of specialization.
Service (10%): Visiting faculty members are expected to participate in departmental events and actively contribute to the workings of the University community. They are expected to perform service to the Department, College, University, and/or the profession at large.Required QualificationsEvaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of educational and professional experiences in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in CV, (3) writing sample, and (4) information provided from professional references:
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the time of appointment.
The University of Kansas is located in the beautiful, historic, and culturally vibrant city of Lawrence, a thriving community 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area and 30 minutes from the state capital, Topeka. Lawrence, a progressive college town of 95,000, boasts a lively downtown with many music venues, award-winning restaurants, and a nationally celebrated independent bookstore among its many independently owned small businesses. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral and research university and is one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.
The Classics Department maintains an excellent undergraduate program and one of the top MA programs in the country. It enjoys close collaborative relationships with KU’s departments of Theater and Film; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; History; History of Art; Religious Studies; Philosophy; and Jewish Studies.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.Job DescriptionTeaching/Advising (60%): Teach three courses in the fall and three courses in the spring at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including introductory through MA-level courses in Latin and courses in ancient literature and culture in translation. Teaching duties include developing syllabi, preparing and teaching lectures, creating, administering, and grading homework assignments and exams, holding regular office hours, and supervising Graduate Teaching Assistants when appropriate. Advising duties may include mentoring graduate students in the Classics Department and serving on undergraduate and graduate thesis and exam committees, as appropriate.
Research (30%): Establish and maintain an active and productive program of research within area of specialization.
Service (10%): Visiting faculty members are expected to participate in departmental events and actively contribute to the workings of the University community. They are expected to perform service to the Department, College, University, and/or the profession at large.Required QualificationsEvaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of educational and professional experiences in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in CV, (3) writing sample, and (4) information provided from professional references:
- Ph.D. in Classics or closely related field (expected by the start date of the appointment), with a specialty in Latin literature and culture
- Potential for high quality teaching and a commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- A strong record of research in Classics.
- letter of application outlining interest in and qualifications for the position
- outline (less than one page) of an MA graduate seminar you would teach on a Latin text, author, or theme
- outline (one paragraph) of a 300-level course (junior/senior level) you would teach on one of the following topics: "Food and Drink in the Ancient Mediterranean" or "Julius Caesar: Man and Myth" AND/OR
- outline (one paragraph) of a 500-level course (advanced undergrad/graduate level) you would teach on one of the following topics: "The Roman Republic" or "Love, Lust, and Laughter in Ancient Literature"
- curriculum vitae
- writing sample of 20-30 pages (either a dissertation chapter or a published article or book chapter)
- contact information for three references