The Assistant Professor is a member of the ranked faculty with an intermediate academic rank who has demonstrated achievement in the areas of teaching, research, and professional service appropriate to the discipline. The Assistant Professor’s teaching responsibilities are assigned by the academic department head and may include serving as an academic advisor. The Assistant Professor engages in scholarly activities beyond those associated with teaching and is expected to demonstrate professional productivity in research, based upon the availability of resources and consistent with the mission of the University. Description of Primary Duties The Department of English at Missouri State University invites applications for a tenure-track (Assistant Professor) position in Creative Writing (Poetry) to begin August 2026. This position represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic department that is committed to teaching and creative expression that is built on a robust understanding of craft and form. In August 2026, the department will be launching an MFA in Creative Writing which will augment an already exemplary undergraduate program that retains a strong commitment to the intersection of creative writing, literature, and cultural studies, including rhetoric, writing, and media. The program, as well, supports a nationally recognized press, Moon City Press, which publishes the highly regarded Moon City Review and three additional titles per year, two by competition and one by editor’s selection. This position seeks a poet and teacher who is attentive to the breadth of programming at Missouri State University and the Ozarks, a region that is committed to culture and creativity. The position will support aligned academic programs that enhance student post-graduation opportunities and career preparation. Responsibilities include creative and research activities in line with the department’s tenure and promotion guidelines; teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses, including general education courses, and a robust range of creative writing courses, including courses on craft, form, and publication; advising of undergraduate and graduate students, including serving on thesis committees; and service to department, college, university, and the profession. Minimum Acceptable Qualifications The minimum acceptable qualifications for the position of Assistant Professor are prescribed in the Faculty Handbook. Additional Qualifications Required qualifications include a terminal degree (MFA or PhD. in Creative Writing with a poetry concentration) or a related field by the time of appointment with an active creative/research agenda with at least one published book; demonstrated evidence of effective teaching in relevant areas; a commitment to preparing students for post-college success. As part of the application, candidates will be required to submit a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, unofficial transcripts, writing sample, evidence of teaching effectiveness, statement of creative/research interest, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and contact information of three references who can speak to the candidate’s qualifications.