Associate or Full Professor of History of the American West and Director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies – SMU
The Clements Department of History at Southern Methodist University invites outstanding applicants for the directorship of the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies and a tenured appointment in the History Department at the rank of Full or Associate Professor positioned for promotion in the near term. Fields of expertise may include the North American West, U.S. Southwest, U.S.-Mexico borderlands, and/or related fields.
The position offers unparalleled opportunities for research, scholarly community, and teaching. The Clements Center for Southwest Studies, established in 1996, hosts a competitive fellowship program, nationally regarded symposia series, collaborative seminars, and public programming. It also sponsors the David J. Weber book prize with the Western Historical Association. The director will support fellows and emerging scholars, develop collaborative programming, cultivate community, and further enhance the Center’s national and international reputation. The director will be an integral member of the Department of History. The successful candidate will foster close integration between the Center’s programs and the broader academic mission of the Department of History. Candidates should be prepared to advise and direct graduate students and to teach undergraduate and graduate classes in relevant fields.
Applications must be submitted via Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/193862) and should include a letter highlighting the candidate’s qualifications, complete curriculum vitae, and contact information for three letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2026. To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by October 31, 2026, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. The committee will notify applicants of the employment decision after the position is filled.
Appointment to begin August 1, 2027. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
