The Department of History in the School of Humanities at Rice University in Houston, Texas, seeks applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor of medieval or early modern history of science, technology, and/or medicine. A PhD in a relevant field is required at the time of appointment. The area of geographical specialization is open. The search will be held in the 2024-2025 academic year, with a start date for the position of July 1, 2025.

This position will complement the Department of History’s strengths and course offerings at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and will also facilitate interdisciplinary connections with other departments in the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences and with programs in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Medical Humanities, Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations, Jewish Studies, the Center for African and African American Studies, Politics, Law, and Social Thought, and the Center for Environmental Studies. The successful candidate for this position will hold a primary appointment in the Department of History, complement existing faculty strengths, and foster connections with STEM fields on campus.

The Department of History at Rice University has a growing strength in the history of science, technology, and medicine and has implemented a new pre-modern course requirement for undergraduate majors. The University offers an undergraduate interdisciplinary major and minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies and has recently launched a minor in Science and Technology Studies. The Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center has a rich collection of rare books pertaining to the history of science, technology and medicine, including early editions of Copernicus, Newton, Robert Boyle, and William Harvey.

Applicants should demonstrate an outstanding record of research and teaching. Applicants should be prepared to teach regularly-offered undergraduate and graduate courses in the medieval and early modern history of science, technology, and/or medicine. Candidates with evidence of teaching excellence and of cultivating connections with STEM students of diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. The normal course load in the School of Humanities is 2:2.