Leah and Paul Lewis Chair of Holocaust Studies and Director of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies

Position Description

The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology and the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas invite applications for the Leah and Paul Lewis Chair of Holocaust Studies and Director of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies. The successful candidate’s research and teaching should be anchored in Holocaust Studies, broadly conceived. The faculty appointment will be in the relevant disciplinary program within the Bass School. We are particularly interested in applicants from history, philosophy, literature or the visual and performing arts.

Teaching responsibilities include graduate and undergraduate courses within one of our BA, MA, and PhD programs, as well as courses related to the interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies.

The appointment will commence for the fall 2025 semester.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience: A PhD or equivalent in a relevant academic discipline is required as well as a record of excellence in scholarship and teaching. Candidates should hold the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor and have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and teaching excellence. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, engaging, and dynamic environment comprised of individuals with a range of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. We are seeking candidates able to produce research and scholarly or creative achievements that enhance the program and the discipline, and able to deliver high quality teaching using evidence-based practices to effectively engage students from a range of backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Education and Experience: A PhD or equivalent in History, Philosophy, Literature, or the Visual and Performing Arts is preferred. The ideal candidate’s research and teaching should be broadly anchored in Holocaust Studies

The Ackerman Center and the Bass School

The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (Bass School) is a community of scholars, artists, and creative practitioners defined by their creativity, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding. Within the context of a Carnegie R1 doctoral research institution, the Bass School fosters the fluid movement between traditional disciplines and cutting-edge experimental investigation of emerging technologies. We prepare students with the skills to craft exceptional work, the ambition to take on new challenges, and the critical thinking to make a difference in a globally connected world.

The Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies in the Bass School is an internationally recognized, well-funded and publicly engaged academic center that offers an in-depth and interdisciplinary study of the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights studies within a dedicated facility.

 Application Instructions

 Applicants should upload the following via the online application:

•  Full curriculum vitae and cover letter summarizing their interests and qualifications for the position.
• Statement of teaching philosophy describing their conceptualizations of teaching and learning, and teaching and assessment methods, and how their teaching practices will engage students from a range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Research statement describing past, present, and future research, including how they mentor (or will mentor) student researchers and foster (or will foster) collaborative research environments.
• A writing/publication sample; and
• Full contact information for at least three academic or professional references.

Priority will be given to completed applications received by February 3, 2025. Reviews will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed on May 31, 2025.

The University and Community

UT Dallas is a top public research university located in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Our seven schools offer more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs. Our student body is 30,000 strong, reflecting students from over 100 countries and a multiplicity of identities and experiences. Over 65% of our undergraduate students receive some form of need- or merit-based financial aid; and 66% of graduating seniors have no student debt compared to 48% in Texas and 32% in the nation (2021 TICAS report).

UT Dallas is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world. A diversity of people, ideas, and perspectives is crucial to our vision and mission. UT Dallas is a place where members of the community from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated fairly, and encouraged in their pursuit of excellence.

The University has a variety of programs and initiatives to support engagement and success for all members of the campus community. Employee benefits include a range of physical and mental wellness resources. “LilyPad” lactation facilities are located throughout the campus. There are several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) comprised of individuals who share common interests to help build community among UT Dallas faculty and staff (e.g., Universal Access ERG, Military and Veteran ERG, UT Dallas Young Professionals).

Rich with visual and performing arts venues, museum districts, professional and semi-professional athletics teams, botanical gardens, accessible trails and so much more, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex has something for everyone to explore. UT Dallas partners with regional higher education institutions and school districts and with the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ), a major hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational activities. 

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action

The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. The University prohibits unlawful discrimination against a person because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

The University of Texas at Dallas is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university.