Lecturer on History and Literature
Harvard University
USD 70,300-72,900 / year
Posted on Feb 21, 2026
Position
Details
| Title | Lecturer on History and Literature |
|---|---|
| School | Faculty of Arts and Sciences |
| Department/Area | Committee on Degrees in History and Literature |
| Position Description | The Committee on Degrees in History and Literature seeks applications for a Lecturer position in one or more of the fields of Latin American Studies; European Studies, 1800 to the present; American Studies and Ethnic Studies; and Urban Studies. Especially encouraged to apply are candidates whose work is comparative, transnational, and/or interdisciplinary in scope, and those who can teach a range of geographic areas and historical periods. The appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2026. Lecturers will be responsible for designing and executing interdisciplinary tutorial programs for juniors, directing senior honors theses, advising students on curricular matters, evaluating essays and senior theses, conducting senior oral examinations, and teaching an interdisciplinary seminar of their own design. The Lecturer position is for three years, with the second two years contingent on a satisfactory performance review during the first year. This position may be represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) – UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting your compensation and working conditions. |
| Basic Qualifications | Doctorate in a related discipline required by the time the appointment begins, strong interdisciplinary background, teaching experience. |
| Additional Qualifications | Demonstrated strong commitment to interdisciplinary teaching is desired. |
| Special Instructions | Please submit the following materials through the ARIeS portal (https://academicpositions.harvard.edu). Applications must be submitted no later than March 24, 2026: 1. Cover letter, including a description of the candidate’s teaching and advising experience, as well as their approach to creating a learning environment in which every student is encouraged to ask questions and share ideas 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. Writing sample, such as a journal article or dissertation chapter 4. Teaching portfolio including a teaching statement, any sample syllabi, assignments, course evaluations, and/or other examples of your teaching effectiveness 5. A course title and description of approximately 200 words for two interdisciplinary seminars of your own design that you could offer as History & Literature 90 seminars which are designed for first-year students or sophomores with no prior experience or expertise. Please also include a list of readings and/or other materials for one sample week in each course. The interview committee will not be able to review a full syllabus, so there is no need to prepare one. Instead, consider what combination of cultural and historical sources you might include in a given week, and be prepared to discuss how you would teach this material in the interview. 6. Names and contact information of three to five referees, who will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation if the candidate is invited to interview for the position. The application is complete only when all three letters have been submitted. 7. Applicable only for those candidates who have not yet received a Ph.D.: A letter from your dissertation chair confirming that you will receive your Ph.D. by June 30th, 2026. |
| Contact Information | Personnel Committee, History and Literature, Barker Center 122, 12 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Deadline: March 24, 2026. For further information regarding fields of study and the structure of the program, visit the History and Literature website at http://histlit.fas.harvard.edu. |
| Contact Email | histlit@fas.harvard.edu |
| Salary Range | $70,300 to $72,900. Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field. |
| Minimum Number of References Required | 3 |
| Maximum Number of References Allowed | 5 |
| Keywords |
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * What is your primary teaching field in History and Literature?
- American Studies
- The Modern World
- Ethnic Studies
- The World Before 1800
- The Medieval World
- Latin American Studies
- European Studies
- Urban Studies
- If you have a secondary teaching field in History and Literature, please indicate it.
- American Studies
- The Modern World
- Ethnic Studies
- The World Before 1800
- The Medieval World
- Latin American Studies
- European Studies
- Urban Studies
- * Please provide the title of your dissertation.
(Open Ended Question)
- * Please list your teaching and research areas.
(Open Ended Question)
- * What languages are you proficient in?
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample 1
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Course Evaluation
- Proposed Course Description
- Proposed Course Descriptions
- Sample Syllabus
- Degree Verification