Position Function:
The Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures (CMLL) at Mississippi State University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position with a research specialization in Spanish Applied Linguistics, with emphasis on Second Language Acquisition to begin Fall 2025. CMLL offers an MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish; the successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in Spanish, including beginning and intermediate language courses, as well as more advanced courses related to Spanish Linguistics and their area of expertise. Opportunities for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in English on General Linguistics and Language Pedagogy topics are also available.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University is an R1, research-oriented institution with the largest research and development budget in the state and a student population of approximately 22,500 (as of fall 2023). The Classical and Modern Languages & Literatures department has a dynamic program with an energetic and productive research and teaching faculty experienced in training high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students. The department offers a BA in Foreign Languages with concentrations in Asian Studies, Classics, French, German, and Spanish; an International Business Program (a joint BA in Foreign Languages and Business Administration); and an MA in Foreign Languages, with areas of study in French, German, and Spanish. Other languages offered include Italian and Russian. The department also offers a World Language Teaching Minor at the graduate and undergraduate levels and coordinates a multidisciplinary Minor in Latin American Studies at the undergraduate level. The department has study abroad program options for students in France, Germany, and Spain. Faculty have affiliations with the Shackouls Honor College, the Institute for the Humanities, Gender Studies, and African American Studies.
Mississippi State University was ranked among the top 100 Research Institutions by the NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey 2021 and #41 on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers (2024), one of only ten universities in the country to make the list.
Area of Specialization:
Spanish Linguistics
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2025
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop an independent research agenda, present professional papers in reputable venues, and establish a scholarly publication record.
- Teach assigned undergraduate and Master’s level Spanish courses, including courses in Spanish linguistics within both face-to-face and distance contexts.
- Design and teach new courses that build upon the existing offerings of the Spanish program.
- Collaborate with scholars across campus in terms of research and teaching to advance the existing Spanish curriculum and program offerings.
- Recruit, advise, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students; promote the department’s graduate program.
- Participate in service to the profession, the college, the department, and/or community service activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. or equivalent in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, or a related field. The successful candidate will have Ph.D. in hand by date of appointment.
- Demonstrated record of scholarly publications and other professional achievements, or clear promise thereof.
- Documented record of success in teaching beginning and intermediate Spanish courses.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise in one or more of the following: Spanish in the US Spanish for the Professions, Heritage Spanish, bilingualism, translation, and/or other similar or related areas.
- Demonstrated success in instruction of courses in Spanish linguistics and/or SLA..
- Experience and/or promise with grants that support the humanities and other interdisciplinary fields of study.
- Experience and/or promise with organizing community engagement projects, in line with university values as a land-grant institution.
- Experience and/or promise with experiential learning settings.
Instructions for Applying:
Review of applications will begin on November 21, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu. Please submit the following:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of research
4. Statement of teaching philosophy
5. Unofficial copy of transcripts for each degree earned (Social Security numbers should be redacted prior to submitting transcripts online)
6. Three letters of recommendations emailed to amber@cmll.msstate.edu
Sample syllabi will be sought after initial screening. Note: original transcripts for all degrees will be required upon employment.
For inquiries and questions please contact Dr. Sol Pelaez, Committee Chair (sip15@msstate.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
