Hahvahd Post

I just saw a job posting that gave me the shivers: it's for a tenure-track assistant professorship at Harvard for an Asian American literature specialist. It's quite obvious that they are looking for a very advanced assistant professor; not only do they mention the word "advanced," but if you have even glanced through all the other job postings for assistant professors, you will notice some key differences in their application requirements: they expect the whole dissertation from their finalists by December OR a book-length publication (!), as well as up to 5 (yes, five) letters of rec. I have a snowball's chance in hell of ever getting this job, but I got the shivers because I do know quite a few Asian American literature specialists at the advanced assistant professor level who would definitely be kick-ass applicants for this job. I bet it is making the academic rounds among those friends as I write this. I am very curious and excited to find out who eventually gets the offer. From the JIL:

Harvard U      
English, 12 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138     http://www.harvard.edu

Assistant Professor of Contemporary and Asian American Literature  [13492]
The English Department at Harvard University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Contemporary American literature with a special interest in Asian American Literature.

The appointment, effective July 1, 2011, will be made at either the entry or at an advanced level, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

The successful applicant will have a strong doctoral record and should show promise of excellence in scholarship, along with a strong commitment to teaching in a variety of areas.

Finalists will be expected to submit in December the entire dissertation or as much of it as is completed (or, alternatively, a book-length publication). The successful candidate will teach four courses per year at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Send cover letter, CV, 1-2 page abstract of dissertation, 3-5 letters of recommendation, and article-length writing sample (25-30 pages, excluding footnotes), all postmarked no later than October 29, 2010, to "Contemporary and Asian American Literature Search Committee," c/o James Simpson, Chair, Department of English, Harvard University, Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street, Cambridge MA 02138. Late applications will not be considered. Complete applications will be acknowledged by postcard once all materials have been received. Harvard is an Affirmative Action/Equal opportunity Employer. Applications from women and minorities are strongly encouraged.