Assistant Professor, Teaching Track, in Library and Information Science

Description

The University of Washington Information School (iSchool) is accepting applications for a teaching-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level starting September 1, 2025.

This position will be expected to engage in creative, collaborative, and forward-thinking instruction, develop a deep understanding of social and ethical dimensions and issues in LIS, and use data and digital technologies to empower diverse communities and to advance informational justice. As a highly interdisciplinary unit, we encourage our faculty to engage in information-based approaches to understand and to address systemic challenges and to make social impact. This search is specifically focused on attracting candidates that can contribute to our teaching portfolio in Library and Information Science. 

This position will be expected to 1) engage in excellent teaching and mentoring; 2) develop expertise in one or more of the domains of library and information science listed below; 3) develop facility with and support the Information School’s commitment to concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and justice in the context of their professional and teaching practice; 4) fully participate within the Information School community; and 5) maintain active involvement in relevant professional and community venues. 

Potential applicants will be expected to incorporate LIS practices and theory in their teaching. This position will be expected to deliver their courses to students in both residential (synchronous) and online (asynchronous) environments. Positive factors for consideration include, but are not limited to, substantial experience in LIS practice, and a rich professional network to leverage in support of student learning experiences (e.g., directed fieldwork, capstones, internships). Positive factors for consideration include, but are not limited to, candidates with professional or scholarly expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Knowledge Organization: cultural, social, and ideological politics and practices of knowledge organization, representation, metadata and categorization, and management of digital content and cultural heritage collections;
• Youth Services: librarians as facilitators of literacy, the joy of reading and learning of all types with children and youth that leverages the strength of libraries and archives as learning institutions;
• Archives and Special Collections: addressing research, preservation and technical aspects of digital and physical collections in academic, community and cultural heritage settings; advancing Indigenous knowledges and data sovereignty
• Intellectual Freedom: libraries and archives as catalysts and leaders for intellectual freedom, freedom to read, policy-making and legislation pertaining to censorship and information accessibility

This position will be expected to contribute in at least one of the Information School’s current strategic areas: climate change, health and wellness, healthy information environments, and responsibility in artificial intelligence.

The University of Washington MLIS program is one of the top-ranked programs in the country and in the world, and is one of the longest continually accredited library education programs in the U.S. Successful candidates will join a broad-based, inclusive Information School that offers multiple degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level and is committed to the values of leadership, innovation, and diversity. Our goal is to produce forward-thinking leaders who can critically address issues in theory and practice and have a drive to make a difference in the profession.

Teaching professors are an integral part of the faculty of the iSchool. We provide mentorship, a career path, and opportunities for leadership in the school. This position includes faculty voting rights but is not tenure eligible. The University of Washington is on the quarter system (autumn, winter, spring) and teaching professors typically teach two courses per quarter (6 courses over 9 months) with summers off, though opportunities for summer teaching may also be available. University of Washington teaching professors are expected to engage in teaching, scholarship, and service. Teaching faculty scholarship include such examples as innovations in teaching, leadership in teaching communities of practice, consulting and/or project work conducted in relevant practice areas, or leadership in professional associations or related organizations.

The University of Washington is an institution that encourages inclusive research and community outreach, situated between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, in the city of Seattle. The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. Seattle is a rapidly growing, dynamic, and diverse metropolitan area with a leading technology sector and vibrant civic sector. Applicants may find further information about the Information School at: ischool.uw.edu.

The UW Information School is dedicated to hiring faculty who will enhance our inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and sovereignty (IDEAS) mission and vision through their teaching, service and scholarship. As information systems and institutions serve increasingly diverse and global constituencies, it is vital to understand the ways in which differences in gender, class, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, national and cultural boundaries, national origin, worldview, intellectual origin, ability and other identities can both divide us and offer us better ways of thinking and working. The Information School faculty are committed to preparing professionals who work in an increasingly diverse and global society by promoting equity and justice for all individuals, actively working to eliminate barriers and obstacles created by institutional discrimination.

The position is a full-time 9-month teaching track appointment at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor. Available starting date is September 1, 2025. Applicants may find further information about the Information School at ischool.uw.edu.

The base salary for this position will be $11,000 – $13,000 per month ($99,000 – $117,000 per 9-month academic year), commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a master’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in library and information sciences or another relevant field. A PhD (or foreign equivalent) in library and information sciences or another relevant field is also acceptable. Applicants must have demonstrated teaching experience in professional settings and/or at the undergraduate or graduate level, and at least 3 years of relevant work experience in industry, government, or the nonprofit sector.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by November 15, 2024. Selected candidates will be contacted for Zoom interviews and campus visits that are expected to occur Winter/Spring 2025. Short-listed candidates will be asked to do a live teaching demonstration. Details on these elements will be provided at the appropriate time.

The initial application package must include a resume or CV, a cover letter, a teaching statement, a diversity statement, and names and contact information for three references, who may be contacted for letters of recommendation. Please note the guidelines and strict page count for the following components: 

Cover Letter – 1 page

The Cover Letter provides an opportunity for applicants to draw on their background to describe their professional and teaching expertise, professional engagement, an indication of how they might incorporate issues of social justice into their teaching, and why they’d like to teach at the University of Washington Information School.

Teaching Statement – 2 pages

The Teaching Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to explain their teaching philosophy, pedagogical approach in adult learning environments, description of courses taught, and engaging different learning styles and diverse points of view among students. Additional information about teaching experiences in “in-person” and “online” modalities is also welcome. 

iSchool Diversity Statement – 2 pages

The Diversity Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to reflect on their teaching, scholarship, and professional service accomplishments and goals that contribute to those values. Inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sovereignty (IDEAS) are core values of the University of Washington’s Information School, as described on our website – https://ischool.uw.edu/diversity. The Diversity Statement should elaborate on the candidates’ commitment to these values, as reflected in various aspects of their teaching, scholarship, and service. 

Applicants may find further information about the Information School and the MLIS program at the following websites: 

• Information School: https://ischool.uw.edu/
• MLIS: https://ischool.uw.edu/programs/mlis
• CALMA: https://calma.ischool.uw.edu/

Please contact Chance Hunt, Associate Teaching Professor, Information School and Chair, Library and Information Science Teaching Track Search Committee, with questions (iApply@uw.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

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