Assistant Director/Assistant Instructional Professor

Classification Title:

Lecturer

Job Description:

The Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida invites applications for a full-time (1FTE), nine-month, non-tenure-accruing position in United States history and Assistant Director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program (SPOHP), at the rank of Lecturer, with the working title of Assistant Director/Assistant Instructional Professor. The appointment will begin on August 16, 2027.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in advancing SPOHP’s mission of teaching, training, research, and public engagement. Working closely with faculty, staff, and students, the Assistant Director will help foster student development through experiential learning opportunities and provide leadership in oral history training and project-based scholarship. The candidate will also contribute to the Department of History’s vibrant intellectual community and commitment to innovative, student-centered teaching.

Drawing on expertise in oral history, public history, and United States history, the successful candidate will teach a 2-2 course load that includes courses in oral history methodology, public history, and areas of U.S. history that complement SPOHP’s mission and support the curricular needs of the Department. Teaching responsibilities should emphasize active, hands-on learning and engage students in oral history research, community partnerships, digital and public humanities initiatives, and other forms of applied historical practice.

As Assistant Director, the successful candidate will oversee SPOHP’s internship program, including intern recruitment, training, mentorship, and supervision. The Assistant Director will also develop and lead oral history workshops for students and public audiences; help coordinate public programs, outreach, and communications; and contribute to the development and implementation of grant- and contract-funded projects as opportunities arise. The position will work closely with the SPOHP Director, program staff, faculty, and campus and community partners.

The Samuel Proctor Oral History Program is an award-winning, nationally respected program that has been a cornerstone of the University of Florida campus for six decades. SPOHP advances oral history research, teaching, and public engagement; provides significant experiential-learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students; and stewards a collection of more than 10,000 oral histories and sound recordings. The Assistant Director will join a professional staff of five, along with undergraduate and graduate assistants, and will play a significant role in the program’s next chapter.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to benefit from the support, resources, and activities of relevant programs across the University of Florida, including the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, UF Libraries, 

Beyond120, the Gulf Scholars Program, and other interdisciplinary and experiential-learning initiatives.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the program website (Samuel Proctor Oral History Program) and departmental website (Department of History) to learn more about SPOHP and the Department of History.

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Florida, a top-ranked public research institution, offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to support employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Life insurance, long-term disability, accident, and illness insurance.

• Retirement savings and investment options with employer contributions.

• Generous paid time includes vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, personal holidays, and winter break.

• 8 weeks of paid parental and medical leave.

• Access to wellness programs, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program.

• Discounts for on-campus and off-campus activities and services.

To learn more, click on the link: 

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in History or a closely related field.

• Previous experience in teaching, training, or mentoring at the undergraduate, graduate, or community level.

• Conducting, managing, or supporting oral history projects, including the collection, interpretation, preservation or public presentation.

• Working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

• Organization and administrative skills, including the ability to manage projects, coordinate activities, and meet deadlines.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated record of effective college or university level teaching in oral history, public history, United States history, or related fields, particularly using experiential or community-engaged pedagogy.

• Experience developing public humanities programming or public-facing oral history projects, including events, exhibits, digital projects, or other forms of interpretation.

• Experience designing and leading oral history workshops or hands-on training for students, educators, or community participants.

• Experience collaborating across academic disciplines or with libraries, cultural organizations, schools, historical societies, or community groups.

• Experience supporting communications and outreach for an academic, cultural, or public humanities program.

• Experience developing or implementing grant- or contract-funded projects, including proposal preparation, project coordination, or reporting.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of application summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, and suitability for the position

• A complete curriculum vitae

• Names and contact information for three professional references (the search committee will request confidential letters of recommendation only from candidates selected for its long list). Additional materials may be requested from finalists.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date. Review of applications will begin on November 16, 2026, and will continue until a successful applicant is selected.

All inquiries may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jamin Wells at View email address on us.fitly.work.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at

Health Assessment Required:No