Assistant Professor – Art History

Position Title:Assistant Professor – Art History

Appointment Type:Faculty

Job Description:Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Art and Visual Culture in the College of Design at Iowa State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Art History with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2025.

We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar with a research focus outside of the Euro-American context, preferably Art of Asia or Indigenous Art of the Americas, to teach upper-level courses in their area of expertise and broad survey courses in Art History. The ideal candidate will specialize in the ancient or pre-modern period and demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching. An interest in teaching contemporary art would be of additional benefit to the department. The position includes working with students from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds and abilities. P edagogically adaptive and innovative approaches in teaching are expected. Additionally, the candidate is expected to establish a record of scholarship at the highest levels, contribute to the teaching missions at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and engage in institutional service and service to the profession. Candidates should have strong communication skills, share our commitment to enhancing excellence and exhibit the potential for long-term leadership in supporting the mission of the department, college, and university.

The Department of Art and Visual Culture is committed to sustaining a collegial, positive, and productive environment for each individual and the collective benefit of all. All faculty members are expected to exhibit and convey good citizenship within department, college, and university activities, interact collegially and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

PhD in Art History or a related discipline by start of appointment

Preferred Qualifications:

Research focus outside of the Euro-American context

Evidence of successful teaching experience

Evidence of scholarly accomplishment in the area of the candidate’s expertise

Evidence or promise of a strong publication record

Experience with or interest in interdisciplinary collaboration

About the Art and Visual Culture Department

As a land grant and Research I institution, Iowa State University upholds and advocates for the impact of creative activities, scholarship, and education both on-and off-campus. We embrace and value community and the people and knowledge that preceded the formation of our institution and that inform our current-day practices.

The College of Design celebrates and builds on long-standing success as a comprehensive design school that embodies knowledge-sharing and innovation.

The Department of Art and Visual Culture exemplifies these qualities through the creativity and entrepreneurship of its diverse community of makers, educators, and scholars. With an integrated and cross-disciplinary approach to teaching and collaborating, we are committed to contributing to the excellence of the academic community and to building a culturally vibrant environment. We are especially seeking candidates who uphold and promote this purpose and who apply the above qualities to art history in their teaching and research practice. 

Department Website:

For more information about our department’s design program, see: www.design.iastate.edu/academics/departments/art-visual-culture/

Proposed Start Date:August 16, 2025

Number of Months Employed Per Year:09 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Application Instructions:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by December 2, 2024. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at jobs.iastate.edu to Job Requisition Number R15680.

The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format (Only a maximum of 5 attachments are able to be uploaded):

1. Letter of application that briefly discusses how the candidate meets each of the preferred qualifications

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Contact information for at least three references, including name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other pertinent information

4. Other documents:

One-page teaching statement

One-page research statement

Sample of scholarly writing (maximum of 25 pages)

Sample course syllabi – existing or proposed (maximum of 2 pages)

Direct questions to April Eisman at eismana@iastate.edu or call 515-294-9985.

Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: October 8, 2024

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:R15680

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the universitys Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .

If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.