EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Director, Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites internal applications for the position of Director of the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities (IPRH).  In accordance with the recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Working Group for the Humanities (http://research.illinois.edu/files/upload/humanities_report_final_2015.pdf), the Director will seek to integrate humanities scholarship across disciplines and across the campus. The Director will work to realize a vision of the IPRH that serves the entire campus community of humanities scholars, enabling their leadership of local, national, and international scholarship; and facilitating forms of engagement and dialogue that will increase the impact of the humanities at Illinois.

Applicants are expected to have achieved the rank of tenured full professor at the time of appointment. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. A suitable workload adjustment will be negotiated with the successful candidate’s unit as part of the appointment; it is probable that the position will require approximately 50% of the candidate’s time depending on existing obligations and degree of administrative experience. The starting date of the appointment would be as soon as possible.

The appointment may be renewed annually, with the expectation that the Director will serve for five years, at which time there would be a formal review for continuation

Position Responsibilities

The Director of IPRH will report to the Vice Chancellor for Research and is expected to work closely with the Offices of the Chancellor, Provost, Vice Chancellor for Research, and relevant academic and research units. The Director will engage the full spectrum of humanities units and stakeholders on campus (e.g., the Unit, Medieval Studies, the Title VI Centers, and the Center for Translation Studies), emphasizing inclusivity, intersectionality, and diversity, as well as forging connections with the rest of the campus. The Director will spearhead programs and events that support and enhance interdisciplinary study in the humanities and arts, broadly defined, at the University of Illinois. The Director will work with the campus community to enhance the visibility of Illinois humanities scholarship and promote its relationship with federal agencies, private foundations, and other sources of funding.

The Director’s administrative responsibilities, working together with the IPRH staff, include:

• Planning and administering IPRH activities, including an active series of public events (panel discussions, speakers, symposia, and annual conferences).
• Directing the day-to-day programming of the IPRH, including, for example introductions of humanities faculty to key units on campus such as the Library’s Scholarly Commons, the Office of Proposal Development, and events featuring visiting scholars and faculty.
• Organizing a regular seminar program for IPRH faculty, postdoctoral associates and graduate students.
• Establishing and maintaining effective communication and cooperative working relationships with University administrators, faculty, and staff, as well as relevant leadership bodies.
• Seeking external funding for the IPRH from private foundations, federal and state funding agencies, donors, and other sources. Work with the OVCIA to implement development efforts for the IPRH.
• Managing the IPRH staff, establishing and maintaining a positive working environment that encourages staff productivity and retention, including opportunities for professional development.
• Working effectively with the OVCR central office staff and reporting units whose interests overlap with those of the IPRH (the Center for Advanced Study, the interdisciplinary research institutes).
• Assisting humanities researchers in integrating with digital humanities efforts and the STEM disciplines.

Required Qualifications

• A distinguished record of scholarship and teaching in a humanities-related discipline. It is expected that the person holding the position will maintain an active scholarly career during her or his term as Director. Interest in developing interdisciplinary programming is required.
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree, and a strong record of research accomplishment and externally sponsored research in the humanities.
• Tenured faculty appointment at the level of full professor at the University of Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in generating external funding through sponsored research and philanthropy
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative ability
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Appreciation of the research and educational mission of the entire university
• Appreciation of the goals of inclusivity, intersectionality, and diversity
• Strong communication skills
• The ability to work diplomatically with faculty and the campus administration, as well as external stakeholders.

Application Process

Faculty members may apply by sending a curriculum vitae and a statement summarizing their vision for the program, and how their personal/scholarly goals will intersect with the direction they see for IPRH. These materials should be submitted to Susan Key, Human Resources, OVCR, susankey@illinois.edu. The endorsement of the candidate’s dean and unit head/chair will be solicited.

Applications are due Monday, October 19, 2015. 

For further information regarding application procedures, contact Susan Key, susankey@illinois.edu.

Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).