Edelstein-Keller Endowed Visiting Writer Chairship

The Creative Writing Program in the Department of English at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus) invites applications for the Edelstein-Keller Endowed Visiting Writer Chairship. The Edelstein-Keller Endowed Visiting Writer Chairship will be appointed as a visiting creative writer-in-residence. A University of Minnesota employee currently in a tenure-track or tenured position is ineligible for this Chairship.

Job Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be in residence on the Minneapolis campus for four semesters. The Edelstein-Keller Endowed Visiting Writer Chair will be expected, during the appointment, to teach two creative writing courses (graduate and undergraduate) each academic year, and will participate in creative writing events and committees, including admissions and graduate thesis committees. The Chairship is a temporary, fixed term, academic professional, 9-month, 100% time appointment, serving two years. A third year extension is possible if approved by the Creative Writing Program faculty and Director of Creative Writing.

The Visiting Writer Chair will consult closely with, and work under the direction of, the Director and Assistant Director of Creative Writing on Edelstein-Keller annual programming. The programming is facilitated by staff support and agreed upon by the Creative Writing Program faculty.

Edelstein-Keller annual programming includes, but is not limited to: three featured visiting writer full-day events, individual classroom visiting writer support and scheduling, brown-bag visiting writer programming support, emerging visiting writers support fund, Association of Writers and Writing Program membership and representation of the MFA program in Creative Writing, and discretionary visiting writer event funds.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree, MFA, or PhD in Creative Writing, English (PhD), or related field, with degree in hand by 8/25/2025
• A minimum of one volume of work published by a national press in literary nonfiction (a book under contract is acceptable, provided the publication date is prior to the position start date)
• College- or university-level teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of potential for continued success as a published writer
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Housed in the Department of English, the Creative Writing Program boasts a highly selective three-year MFA program and a high-enrollment undergraduate introductory course; an undergraduate minor was added in 2017. The three-year MFA program has three primary tracks (poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction) culminating in a thesis manuscript, defense, and MFA essay. The graduate program accepts 7-9 students per year, supporting all with teaching assistantships and offering the opportunity to work on the literary journal Great River Review.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Pay Range: $50,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: %100 Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please provide the following required materials:

1. A cover letter that addresses teaching philosophy
2. A CV
3. 30 pages of literary nonfiction

Selected applicants will be contacted for three letters of recommendation and for preliminary interviews via Zoom. They may also be asked to provide more written work for consideration.

Priority review deadline is January 5, 2026, though position will remain open until filled.

Candidates will be evaluated according to the quality of their published work and work in progress; evidence of effective teaching; their potential contributions to service; and strength of recommendations.

If you have questions about the position please contact Peter Mason, Assistant Director (mason537@umn.edu).

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).