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Postdoctoral Fellow for the Cook Family Writing Program

Northwestern University's Cook Family Writing Program invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow, beginning September 1, 2022. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. The initial contract for this position is one year, with the possibility of renewal for up to a total of three years.

This is a teaching-focused post-doctoral position. Specifically, we are seeking recent PhDs in the humanities or qualitative social sciences who are interested in gaining experience as writing instructors for two courses offered by our program: (1) Writing and Speaking in Business and (2) Design, Thinking and Communication (a course co-taught with faculty in the McCormick School of Engineering. While successful candidates need not have prior experience teaching business or technical writing, candidates should have prior experience teaching writing as well as a strong interest in developing their teaching portfolios to include teaching business and technical writing.

Responsibilities include teaching two quarter-long undergraduate courses in Writing and Speaking in Business and two quarter-long undergraduate courses in Design, Thinking, and Communication per academic year (in a 1/1/2 schedule). As preparation for these requirements, postdoctoral candidates will receive ongoing mentorship from experienced Writing Program faculty. (To learn more about the Cook Family Writing Program, please visit: http://www.writingprogram.northwestern.edu/.)

Requirements include a Ph.D. in the humanities or qualitative social sciences earned between January 2020-September 2022. All candidates must have a strong interest in co-teaching and in working collaboratively with colleagues to develop course materials and pedagogy. Preference will be given to excellent teachers who have two or more years experience teaching writing, especially those who have experience working with and a commitment to improving the academic experience of historically underrepresented, low-income, marginalized, minoritized, and/or first-generation college students. Review of applications will begin on April 1 until the position is filled. Application materials—to be submitted online—include a letter of application, CV, evidence of teaching excellence (e.g., statement of teaching philosophy, course syllabi, teaching evaluations from 2-3 recently taught courses, etc.), a diversity statement, and a letter of recommendation that addresses the candidate's teaching abilities.

Interested applicants should direct all questions to search committee co- chairs Megan Geigner (megan.geigner@northwestern.edu) and Charles Yarnoff (csy771@northwestern.edu). Applications will be accepted here beginning February 14, 2022. 

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

Applications accepted here: https://facultyrecruiting.northwestern.edu/apply/MTQyOQ==

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website. 

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

FULL TIME instructor for English 106-1, 2

 We have an opening for a full-time lecturer to co-teach 8 sections of English 106-1, 2 during the 2022-23 academic year. The sections will be divided on either a 2/3/3 schedule or a 3/2/3 schedule, depending on programmatic needs. The appointment is a 1-year, full-time, benefits-eligible position, starting September 1, 2022, with the potential for annual renewal depending on department needs, job performance and sufficient funding. This 2-quarter course, known as Design Thinking and Communication (DTC), offers students credit for English 106 in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and for engineering design in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Required of all engineering students, the course involves two 80-minute small section meetings offered on TTH or WF. Each section is co-taught by an instructor from the Cook Family Writing Program and the McCormick School of Engineering, through the Segal Design Institute. Additionally, students attend a Monday lecture, typically taught by industry professionals. A course description can be found at http://segal.northwestern.edu/programs/undergraduate/design-thinking-communication/. Instructors attend all regularly scheduled lectures and class sessions, Monday faculty meetings, weekly meetings with their co-instructor or mentoring cohort, and occasional meetings with student teams outside of class hours.

Review of applications will begin on April 25, 2022. A master’s degree in composition or a related field (e.g., journalism, business communication) is a preferred qualification. Application materials—to be submitted online—include a cover letter, current CV or resume, and evidence of teaching excellence (course evaluations and two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s teaching). Applicants are also required to submit a statement addressing their past and/or potential contributions to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and/or equity through research, teaching, and/or service. To submit your application, please visit: 

https://forms.gle/G7EJNxQE6M9dr4Uh9

Contact michele.zugnoni@northwestern.edu with any questions.

Application Instructions

Please read ALL instructions and make all preparations before proceeding to application page. If you have been asked to submit a letter of recommendation for an applicant, please use the link in your email instructions instead of this page.

  1. Applications will only be accepted through the online form. Please make sure all documents are prepared in advance, because partial applications will not be accepted and cannot be saved. Also, please be sure all information is entered completely and accurately(especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted accepted.
  2. All uploaded files should be in Adobe PDF format. Files in another electronic format (e.g., MS Word) should be "saved as" or "printed to" PDF format before uploading. If you only have a paper version of a particular document, you may scan it and save it as a PDF. However, the first method is preferred, because it retains text recognition capabilities. Make sure you title your documents LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, TITLE OF DOCUMENT.
  3. Two names and email addresses for external references are required. Very soon after you submit your complete online application, your references will be emailed instructions for uploading a letter of recommendation.  Once again, please be sure all addresses are entered correctly with no spelling errors; otherwise your reference will not receive the instructions.
  4. Some things to remember when uploading your application documents:
  1. When your PDF files and list of references are complete, you may proceed to the Online Application. All required fields must be filled in before you click on the "Submit Application" button. The system will not accept incomplete applications.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website. 

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

Part-time, non-continuing instructors for English 106-1, 2

The Cook Family Writing Program periodically has openings for part-time instructors to co-teach sections of English 106-1, 2 in the fall, winter, and/or spring quarters. This 2-quarter course, known as Design Thinking and Communication (DTC), offers students credit for English 106 in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and for Design 106 in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Required of all first-year engineering students, the course involves two 80-minute small section meetings offered on TuTh or WF. Each section is co-taught by an instructor from the Cook Family Writing Program (WP) and the McCormick School of Engineering, through the Segal Design Institute. Additionally, students attend a Monday lecture, typically taught by industry professionals. A course description can be found at http://segal.northwestern.edu/programs/undergraduate/design-thinking-communication/. Instructors attend all regularly scheduled lectures and class sessions, Monday faculty meetings, weekly meetings with their co-instructor or mentoring cohort, and occasional meetings with student teams outside of class hours.

Review of applications is ongoing. A master’s degree in composition or a related field (e.g. business or technical communication, journalism) is a preferred qualification. If interested, please send a CV or resume to Dr. Michele Zugnoni (michele.zugnoni@northwestern.edu). If positions are available, qualified candidates will be asked to meet with Lisa and to submit a statement of interest in co-teaching DTC and evidence of teaching excellence (course evaluations or contact information for references who can speak to your teaching experience). Applicants are invited to submit a statement addressing their past and/or potential contributions to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and/or equity through research, teaching, and/or service.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

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