Transylvania University

Transylvania University (www.transy.edu), a top-tier, independent, residential liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages (French). This is a tenure-track position, teaching in-person classes, beginning August 27, 2026. Transylvania University recognizes that a diverse and inclusive community is essential to the fulfillment of our mission as a liberal arts institution. To that end, we seek to attract a diverse faculty skilled in the scholarship of teaching, research, and mentorship of students from a variety of backgrounds.

Job Responsibilities

We seek a dynamic colleague in any field of specialization within French/Francophone Studies who will contribute to the growth and vitality of French at Transylvania. Transylvania University is known for a culture of excellence in teaching, so the successful candidate should have a strong interest in teaching in a liberal arts setting. The successful candidate will teach all levels of French language as well as advanced-level courses in the candidate’s area of specialization. In addition to occasional contributions to first-year programming and service as an academic adviser, there are opportunities to collaborate across disciplines while working closely with Africana Studies, Film Studies, Medical Humanities, etc. The teaching load consists of three courses per term, plus one short-term course in May (3-3-1) that offers additional opportunities for travel courses, team-taught courses and other more experimental classroom endeavors. Other responsibilities include scholarship/professional activity and service to the university through various committee appointments. The university also has an excellent faculty development program that competitively funds faculty (and student) scholarly research and artistic projects.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in French or related field is required by the start date. The successful candidate will have native or near-native fluency in French and English, a commitment to teaching and student engagement, an active research agenda in the field of specialization, and interest in working collaboratively across disciplines within a liberal arts environment.

To begin the application process, submit a cover letter and one PDF that contains your curriculum vitae, unofficial graduate transcripts, and a brief teaching philosophy statement. Candidates are encouraged in their cover letter to express how they see themselves excelling in an inclusive liberal arts context and how they would contribute to the growth and vitality of the French program. Please upload your cover letter and your PDF separately at the job openings link at http://www.transy.edu/jobs. If you are selected to move forward in the application process, you will be asked to provide official graduate transcripts and letters of recommendation at a later date. Send questions specific to this search to Dr. Brian Arganbright, search committee chair, at barganbright@transy.edu.  Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2025 and will continue until an appointment is made.

Transylvania University is ranked in the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges by the Princeton Review, which cites its community-driven, personalized approach to a liberal arts education through 49 majors and 40 minors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country, with approximately 1,000 students.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community. In support of this goal, we seek qualified candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We embrace diversity and encourage all who are interested to apply.