Lipton Professor of Jewish Studies

The Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies seeks a visionary and collaborative faculty member to serve as the tenured Lipton Professor of Jewish Studies. In addition, the successful candidate will serve as the Center's Director for up to five years (subject to regular academic governance procedures). The ideal candidate will be committed to advancing an innovative research agenda, furthering the development of a robust curriculum, and fostering Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as the Center's critical service and outreach efforts in accordance with the Wisconsin Idea (https://www.wisc.edu/wisconsin-idea/). This candidate will provide faculty leadership in keeping with the University's tradition of shared governance (https://www.wisc.edu/governance/) and will guide the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies to develop and realize its mission.
We welcome applicants from any disciplinary background to apply, but we encourage applications from those with research expertise that complements current strengths on campus. We are especially interested in scholarship in the following areas: early modern studies, Sephardic studies, Atlantic studies, anthropology, and medieval studies.
Applicants at the current rank of Professor or advanced Associate Professor are invited to apply.
The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science, that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and undergraduate student mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

As a tenured member of the faculty within UW-Madison, the successful candidate will conduct research, teach students, and perform program, college, and university service and outreach in accordance with the Wisconsin Idea.
As Director of the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies, the candidate will help to identify and implement actions that promote and advance the Center's mission and goals. The Director's actions will take place within several spheres:
* In the area of faculty and staff administration, the Director will make requests for faculty and academic staff searches; mentor probationary faculty and oversee tenure processes; oversee the post-tenure review process and promotions in rank; handle personnel matters and appoint departmental committees; facilitate team-building and a strong climate within the shared governance structure; and articulate and implement a commitment to inclusion, belonging, and thriving.
* In research, the Director is responsible for fostering top-notch and innovative research in Jewish Studies within the Center and on-campus more broadly.
* In teaching and learning, the Director is responsible for maintaining and extending the excellence of the Center for Jewish Studies. The Director will work with the Curriculum Committee and Associate Director on curricular planning at the undergraduate level, especially when it comes to the development of courses that serve as a gateway to the undergraduate major and certificate. The Director will pursue the creation of new undergraduate scholarship/fellowship opportunities and oversee administration of existing ones. Finally, the Director will participate in delivering the curriculum by teaching a reduced course load of 1-1 during the duration of their stint as Director, after which they will teach the standard 2-2 teaching load.
* In financial administration, the Director will provide budgetary oversight through shared governance. Working with the Budget Committee, Executive Committee, and College administration, the Director will set and administer budgetary priorities.
* In advancement and development, the Director will collaborate with faculty, staff, and institutional leaders to determine goals and to implement those goals in conjunction with the Center's Director of Development. The Director will provide donor stewardship, oversee the Center's Board of Visitors, and cultivate new donors.
* In general administration, the Director will inspire and realize an energetic vision for the Center, and will act as liaison to other college-wide and campus entities.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
PhD in a relevant humanistic or social scientific field is required

The successful candidate will have an academic record in research, teaching, and service in Jewish Studies commensurate with an appointment at the rank of advanced Associate Professor with Tenure or Full Professor with tenure; experience in academic leadership, with three years preferred; a record of success in strategic planning and development; experience with budgets and resource allocation; proven commitment to enhancing inclusion, a sense of belonging, and thriving among students and faculty; understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of a public flagship R1 university; a willingness to play an active role in the life of the College and the University; a commitment to excellence in research, teaching, learning, and mentoring; strong leadership and communication skills; and the ability to collaboratively develop and articulate a bold vision for the future of the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience with fostering or the ability to foster an inclusive and equity-centered teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive.

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

AUGUST 18, 2025

Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)

About UW Madison:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land known as Teejop. The University's history and ongoing colonization of this land and the land of eleven other indigenous nations in the state of Wisconsin informs efforts to build a shared future of collaboration and innovation.

The College of Letters & Science is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all of us - students, staff, and faculty - can thrive. Ours is a community in which we all are welcome. Most importantly, we strive to build a community in which all of us feel a great sense of belonging. There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms; diverse teams are more creative and successful than homogeneous ones. We are better when we are diverse and when we acknowledge, celebrate and honor our diversity. In acknowledging and honoring our diversity, we also assume a responsibility to support and stand up for each other.

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under job number 305820. Applications must be received through UW Madison's online application system. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button to start the application process.

Applications are due by November 15, 2024; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit the following: (1) a cover letter, (2) a CV, (3) a 20- to 40-page research sample (e.g. article, book chapter, or disciplinary equivalent), (4) a 1-page leadership statement, and (5) the names and contact information of three references, at least one of whom is able to speak to the candidate's leadership qualifications and experience. The cover letter should include a narrative of the candidate's research and teaching profile and trajectory (including undergraduate classes they might teach). The leadership statement should address the candidate's leadership qualities and experience and articulate a vision for Jewish Studies on campus. If selected to participate further in the recruitment process, candidates may be asked to submit other supporting materials and references will be invited to submit a signed letter of recommendation.
Questions may be sent to Prof. Jordan Rosenblum at jrosenblum@wisc.edu.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Jordan Rosenblum
jrosenblum@wisc.edu
608-265-4763
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Professor(FA020) or Associate Professor(FA030)

A48-COL OF LETTERS & SCIENCE/CTR FOR JEWISH STUDIES

Faculty

305820-FA