Position Overview
The Dean's Office in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas is seeking candidates for a Director and Full or Associate Professor position in the Museum Studies Program.
This position is open to KU faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences only.
The director provides leadership and oversight for all unit activities. This position reports to an Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and serves at the pleasure of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Please note that this position is not covered by any union agreement nor represented by United Academics of KU, AAUP, or AFT.
Job Description
Director of Museum Studies Program (50%)
- Provides oversight and leadership for all unit activities.
- Administers the academic programs of the unit.
- Reviews and modifies, in consultation with unit governance and faculty, the long-range planning for the unit.
- Oversees all internal budgetary, administrative, and personnel matters.
- Supervises and reviews the unit's faculty and staff.
- Seeks enhancement of all unit resources by actively seeking external funding.
- Develops and enhances research and educational relationships between the unit and other units across the College and University, as well as with entities outside the University.
- Develops long-term planning for future leadership.
- Executes College and University policy in the unit effectively.
- Represents the unit and reports to CLAS, and represents the unit to other University entities.
Faculty Member / Academic Staff (50%) Teaching/Advising (20%)
- Teaches courses in field of specialty.
- Advises students, including student mentoring and providing directed readings.
- Supervises graduate teaching assistants, as assigned.
- Serves on committees that supervise and evaluate student progress.
Research (20%)
- Engages in scholarly research, including publishing appropriate peer-reviewed books and articles and presenting papers at professional conferences on a regular basis.
Service (10%)
- Provides general service to one's home unit, the College, the University, the state, and the profession.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of work experience and educational experience in letter of application and (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in c.v.
- Tenured appointment with the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, or a position of comparable rank in another area of the university.
- Ability to serve as an academic leader and team builder, developing and enhancing research and educational relationships among faculty and between the unit and related units.
- Teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and commitment to teaching excellence.
- Strong record of scholarly achievement, as evidenced by an established program of research with the promise of continued productivity.
- Ability to communicate effectively and to manage interpersonal relations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Rank of Full Professor, or comparable.
- Excellent administrative and management skills.
- Commitment to interdisciplinary and international studies in teaching, research, and service.
- Experience with KU and KUCR administrative procedures.
- Experience working in or with museums, cultural institutions, and/or nonprofit organizations.
- Experience in seeking outside funding and managing multiple projects.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Application materials should include:
- An application letter containing (a) a statement of the candidate's goals and vision for the unit; (b) a statement detailing the candidate's experience working in museums, cultural institutions, and/or nonprofit organizations.
- A curriculum vitae containing information on the candidate's accomplishments in teaching, research, service, and administration.
- The contact information for three references who can speak to the qualifications and preparedness of the candidate to lead the unit.
Applications are due June 30, 2026 Review of applications will begin July 1, 2026.
Contact Information to Applicants
Jill Mignacca (jmig@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range
Administrative Supplement will be added to current academic-year salary and additional summer salary compensation
Application Review Begins
Wednesday July 1, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Friday January 1, 2027
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