Department/Organization
207401 - School of Library and Info Studies
Rank
Instructor
Position Summary
The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama, invites applications for a nine-month, non-tenure track renewable contract instructor in archival studies to begin August 16, 2026.
Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama, invites applications for a nine-month, non-tenure track renewable contract instructor in archival studies to begin August 16, 2026.
Position Summary & Responsibilities:
This position provides an exciting opportunity for a passionate educator teach in our robust archival studies program and to shape the character and direction of the School of Library and Information Studies. We are at a thrilling juncture with a new facility, growing student body and faculty at all ranks, and supportive administration dedicated to information literacy and access. This enthusiastic individual is expected to:
• Teach courses in the core archival studies curriculum: introduction to archival studies, intellectual foundations of archival theory and practice, archival appraisal, and archival representation, access, and use. Option to teach in other areas of the LIS curriculum, including archival studies electives, and to develop new courses to meet LIS programmatic needs.
• Advise graduate students (master’s level) and assist with the coordination of archival studies advising.
• Participate in academic service in SLIS, the College of Communication and Information Sciences, and the University of Alabama.
• Engage in professional LIS organizations at the state, national, and international levels.
This teaching focused position is based on a 3-year renewable contract cycle with opportunities for promotion. Successful applicants will display the ability to be an active and involved member of a highly collaborative faculty team. The standard teaching load for renewable contract faculty members is four courses per semester with the option to teach during the summer. Instructional modes include web-based synchronous distance education and face-to-face.
Minimum Qualifications
• Earned master’s in Library and Information Science or related area from a regionally accredited university prior to the appointment date.
• Professional experience working in an archive
• Exemplify a commitment to work with students, colleagues, and partners with a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and levels of experience with archival studies
• Ability to be an active and involved member of a highly collaborative faculty team.
Preferred Qualifications
• Expertise in digital archives • At least 2 years teaching experience in the topical areas covered by the MLIS archival studies core • Evidence of successful synchronous teaching of online courses. • Demonstrated academic advising and student mentorship experiences. • Active involvement in relevant regional and/or national organizations.
Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Application Process Applicants must apply online at https://careers.ua.edu/jobs/search/college-of-communication-information-sciences and submit the following required materials. 1. Cover letter highlighting your overall match for the position 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Names and contact information for three references 4. Teaching Philosophy Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the search should be directed to the search chair, Dr. Robert B. Riter at rbriter@ua.edu.
About the Division/College/School
The College of Communication & Information Sciences has four academic units, approximately 110 full-time faculty members, and serves approximately 3,500 students across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, including approximately 95 students in the college-wide Ph.D. program. The college’s Institute for Communication & Information Research (ICIR) is a premier research institute dedicated to addressing societal and cultural issues related to communication and information research. The ICIR collaborates with businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and other entities to produce high-impact research that informs and improves our evolving communication and information landscape. The College is also home to the Public Opinion Lab, equipped with the Sprinklr data warehouse and custom data collection and management resources; a biometrics lab outfitted with state-of-the-art iMotions software and associated hardware; and the near-term development of an interactive VR/theater lab, among others. The college is also home to the Holle Center for Communication Arts, whose mission is guided by a commitment to advance narrative justice through innovative and arts-informed research, community engagement, and creative co-operation. The college also maintains the 40,000 square-foot Digital Media Center, which is home to Alabama Public Radio and WVUA 23, a full-power commercial television station serving a top-50 television market.
About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.
In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.
UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.
For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine’s list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review’s list of Top Value Colleges.
UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.
Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., “The Alabama Research Institutes”), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.
The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation’s most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.
Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
