Assistant Professor of Fiction Writing and Screenwriting

Overview

The Department of English at Utah State University in Logan seeks applications for an academic-year, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of English, specializing in Fiction Writing and Screenwriting. The faculty member will join a department committed to innovative pedagogies and equal opportunities for all students. The faculty member will support the delivery of both in-person and online creative writing and general education courses as well as the development of a Writing for Screens course that supports Logan and Statewide students who are interested in pursuing careers in contemporary narrative industries.

 

The applicant is required to have a PhD or MFA in Fiction Writing, Screenwriting, or a related field, a strong teaching record, and evidence of publication. The department seeks candidates who have demonstrable experience in writing for screens, such as writing for film and television, video game writing, or storytelling for interactive media platforms. This is a teaching-centered position with a teaching load of 3 three-credit courses per semester (3/3). The candidate will also engage in creative work and/or research as their secondary area. Teaching will be based on the USU Logan campus in Northern Utah’s scenic Cache Valley. The position begins in August 2027.

 

The Department of English welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of their current U.S. work authorization status. Visa sponsorship may be available depending on individual circumstances and applicable immigration requirements. The University may support standard sponsorship costs but cannot cover the additional $100,000 H-1B fee if applicable. Sponsorship eligibility will be determined by University Human Resources at the time of offer.

 

Review of applications begins December 5, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Teach a variety of creative writing courses at multiple levels of the curriculum.
• Deliver courses both on the Logan campus and across Statewide campuses, using a variety of formats, including in-person, virtual and online asynchronous.
• Provide undergraduate and graduate students with mentoring, experiential learning opportunities, and/or internships to help them develop creative practices and career skills.
• Support the department’s creative writing curriculum, including its visibility in the university’s new general education model, the Center for Civic Excellence.
• Engage the community by supporting public facing events, partnering with Statewide campuses, and facilitating the growth of the USU Student Short Film Festival.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• PhD or MFA in Fiction Writing, Screenwriting, or a related field earned by August 1, 2027.
• Record of teaching success.
• Willingness to teach students in multiple locations using a variety of in-person, virtual and online delivery formats.
• Evidence of success in creative work and/or research.
• Demonstrable experience with writing for screens.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching undergraduate creative writing courses.
• Experience teaching online or distance education courses and working with nontraditional student populations.
• Record of published/professionally produced creative work and/or research.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover letter addressing all required qualifications to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Names and email addresses of three references. If you are selected as a final candidate, your references will be contacted and asked to submit a letter of recommendation.

Candidates advancing to the next round will be asked to provide a philosophy of teaching and a writing sample.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

Utah State University actively pursues equal opportunities for all students through education, research, creative activity, and collaboration. Women, minority, and veteran candidates, as well as candidates with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply. The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to supporting interdisciplinary scholarship, creative work, and transformative pedagogy within both historical and contemporary timeframes. In addition to its robust Writing Studies curriculum, the Department of English offers major emphases in Creative Writing, English Teaching, and Literature.

 

For further information about the Department of English, refer to https://artsci.usu.edu/english/.

 

For further information about Utah State University, refer to www.usu.edu.

 

For further information about USU’s Statewide Campuses, refer to https://statewide.usu.edu/.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

 

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

 

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

 

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

 

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

 

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

 

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

 

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

 

*updated 08/2026