INSTRUCTIONAL TRACK, ASSISTANT OR ASSOC PROFESSOR

The University of Iowa Center for the Book (UICB) invites applications for an Instructional Track Faculty position in Book Arts at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction or Practice, or Associate Professor of Instruction or Practice. The position will begin August 20, 2026. Applications are sought from candidates with expertise in bookbinding, spanning traditional, historical, contemporary, and innovative bookbinding and artist book practices, who will be capable of teaching within existing and developing new graduate curricula.

This is a 75% academic year instructional track faculty position. We seek an individual with expertise in bookbinding, studio oversight, and community engagement. The teaching expectation is four courses per year, based on a 3:3 teaching load with course releases for studio oversight and coordinating the bookbinding area of specialization. The successful applicant will oversee the bookbinding studio and consult on the digital lab; train and oversee graduate student assistants; serve the UICB in recruiting and advising graduate students; and participate in service activities which contribute to the overall mission of the UICB.

The successful applicant will teach two courses per semester in the fall and spring. In addition to teaching bookbinding, coursework may include artist bookwork; digital book design and production; book arts seminar; graduate book arts workshop; additional courses as determined by the expertise of the successful applicant.

The initial appointment is for one year (2026-27), renewable for three years (2027-28; 2028-29; 2029-30) pending demonstrated excellence in teaching. Funding for this position is committed through June 2030; further renewal is contingent on collegiate approval based on recurrent funding, and performance. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This track does not include the possibility of tenure, but otherwise parallels the tenure track with various ranks (Assistant Professor of Instruction, Associate Professor of Instruction). More information about the Instructional Track can be found on the Provost's website at https://provost.uiowa.edu/human-resources-administration/faculty-hr-administration/faculty-appointment#accordion-item-1226-4

If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

The successful candidate will work with faculty, staff, and students to implement the mission of the University of Iowa and the UI Center for the Book through the following:

• Teach and mentor graduate students
• Oversee and manage UICB studios
• Service through participation in department, college, and university committees
• Leadership and service in support of the School's and University's mission.

Candidates should submit a letter of interest addressing all qualifications noted above, a CV, digital portfolio with up to 20 images of work, including a Portfolio List with supporting descriptions. Candidates should also submit the names and contact information for three references. The application materials must be submitted through the UI online application system (http://jobs.uiowa.edu). Refer to requisition # 75799. Questions can be directed to Kathleen Tandy at kathleen-tandy@uiowa.edu Review of materials will begin on January 20, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

About the University of Iowa Center for the Book (UICB)

University of Iowa Center for the Book(UICB) offers graduate programs in Book Arts and Book Studies. The UICB has a long history of interdisciplinary projects and partnerships, with strong affiliations with the School of Art & History, the Departments of English and History, and the School of Library and Information Science. The UICB is a collaborative and dedicated cohort of faculty, staff, artists, and scholars engaged in a rigorous student-centered learning environment. The UICB pursues a distinctive mission, integrating practice in the art of the book with a study of the book in society. We offer curricula in the arts of letterpress printing, bookbinding and conservation, papermaking, artist book work, digital book design, and lettering arts; in the history and culture of books as a field of study; and in the expressive power of the book form. The UICB offers three credentials: a Master of Fine Arts, a Graduate Certificate, and a joint MA/MFA with the School of Library and Information Science. In addition, MA, MFA, and PhD degrees with an emphasis in book studies or book arts may be earned from units including but not limited to: the School of Art & Art History, The School of Library & Information Science, the English Department and the History Department (each in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), the Writer's Workshop, or as a student in the Graduate College Interdisciplinary Program.

About the Graduate College

Founded in 1900, the University of Iowa (UI) Graduate College manages the enrollment and degree progress for nearly 5,000 students from over 100 graduate programs in 10 different colleges which span the Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Education, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business.

The Graduate College has a history of innovation, which serves as a strong foundation for our contemporary initiatives in graduate education. The UI was among the first universities to offer MFA and DMA degrees, to accept and foster interdisciplinary research by faculty and students, and to embrace professional degrees at the doctoral level (DPT, DNP, and AUD).

The mission of the UI Graduate College is to foster an intellectual environment conducive to exemplary research, scholarship, and creativity among graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. The College makes every effort to ensure that the graduate programs offered by the University are of high quality and stimulate the creation of new knowledge and information, and that these efforts simultaneously benefit both graduate and undergraduate student learning. The Graduate College serves as an advocate for graduate education, allocates resources that support graduate students and programs, manages policies and procedures to establish and assess graduate programs, and fosters interdisciplinary programs.

The Graduate College promotes excellence in the academic community. The Graduate College is regularly reviewed by the Office of the Provost and conducts periodic review of graduate programs, ensuring high quality programs that continue to prepare students to become part of the highly skilled workforce needed to solve the complex social and economic problems locally, nationally, and globally in the 21st century.

MFA in Book Arts, or related field

Demonstrated expertise in bookbinding and artist bookwork, in a range of traditions and binding styles.

Demonstrated teaching experience.

Experience maintaining, operating, and procuring book arts equipment.

Three years of professional engagement in the field outside of graduate school such as: holding professional positions; maintaining a private studio and book arts practive; and/or service to the field at the national level.

Capacity to work with students specializing in areas across the spectrum of book arts.

Record of professional artistic activity as a book artist or bookbinder.

Evidence of excellent teaching skills in higher education.

Experience with program coordination, recruiting, and advising.

Experience in studio management or oversight.

Demonstrated evidence of experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, in particular InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.

Demonstrated evidence of experience operating, or capacity to learn to operate, digital output technologies such as Risograph, Plotter cutter, digital printers.

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.