About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About the Institute

Founded in 2011, the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies (IHGMS) is a locus for research and teaching on the Holocaust, as well as on the memory and representation of this and other genocides; a hallmark of the IHGMS mission involves hosting dialogues on a range of contentious subjects both on campus and around the world. In addition to lectures and other public events, the Institute houses a research library, an archive, and a permanent Holocaust teaching exhibition. The Institute’s budget includes funds for administrative support and programming. Visit http://www.umass.edu/ihgms/  for more information regarding the Institute’s mission and programs.

Position Description

The University seeks a distinguished senior scholar in the field of Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies to serve as Director of the IHGMS.

The Director will be the Pen Tishkach Chair of Holocaust Studies; the Pen Tishkach endowment provides research support as well as funding for Institute programming.  Leadership of the Institute requires a dynamic and inclusive leader with demonstrated ability to engage diverse constituents and academic disciplines both domestically and internationally.  The successful candidate will also have experience in fundraising and a vision for institutional development at a public research university. 

The successful candidate will also teach undergraduate and graduate courses. The University offers a wide range of opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, including strong programs in Public History, literary and cultural studies, and a vibrant Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies. The proximity of the Yiddish Book Center and resources in the Five College Consortium further enrich the intellectual community.   

Specific disciplinary focus for the Director is open; the tenure home is anticipated to be in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (http://www.umass.edu/hfa/), in the department best aligned with the successful candidate's expertise.

Requirements

• PhD in Humanities, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
• A record of research excellence and teaching on the Holocaust, Genocide, and/or Memory Studies appropriate for appointment at the rank of tenured full professor.
• Significant outreach experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Administrative/supervisory experience, including budget management.
• A record of successful grant-writing and fundraising.

Additional Information

Prospective faculty are encouraged to visit https://www.umass.edu/faculty-development/prospective-faculty to learn more about working, living, and learning in the Pioneer Valley area of Massachusetts.

The start date for this position is September 1, 2025.

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following:

• A current curriculum vitae.  
• A cover letter in which you a) convey what draws you to this position, b) briefly describe your research interests, and c) describe your vision for this position. Limit: 2 pages.
• A research statement that situates past research in a broader scholarly context and suggests a future research trajectory. Limit: 2 pages.
• A teaching statement that describes past teaching experience and articulates a teaching vision for this position. Candidates are specifically asked to highlight existing courses (both undergraduate and graduate) they are qualified to offer as well as others they are interested in developing. Limit: 2 pages.
• A statement of vision for the candidate’s role in advancing the diversity, equity and inclusion mission of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Limit: 2 pages.
• Contact information (name, title, email address, institution) for 3 professional references. References will not be contacted until the short-list phase of the search. 

To guarantee full consideration, all application materials should be received by the priority deadline of November 12, 2024. The search will remain active until the position is filled.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.