DescriptionThe
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.
The successful candidate will benefit from engagement with the Rees-Jones Library of the American West at SMU. The new library, expected to open in Fall 2027, will be home to one of the most significant collections of Western Americana in the country. While the Rees-Jones Collection is focused primarily on the pre-1901 period, the 20th-century holdings of SMU's DeGolyer Library include Western business enterprises and literature, political collections, and the Archives of Women of the Southwest and Mexican history. The Bridwell Library, the Bridwell Press, the Meadows Museum (a leading center in the United States for exhibition, research and education in the arts and culture of Spain), and the Archaeological Research Center offer other opportunities for exploring diverse histories of the West on SMU's campus.
QualificationsThe successful applicant will demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:
- A distinguished and sustained record of scholarly publication and intellectual leadership in the history of the North American West, U.S. Southwest, U.S.-Mexico borderlands, or a closely related field appropriate to appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, positioned for promotion in the near term.
- A record of excellence in teaching.
- A record of professional and/or institutional service and the capacity to provide intellectual and administrative leadership appropriate to the directorship of a major research center.
Preferred qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in advising and mentoring graduate students, including doctoral students and interest in making significant contributions to the department's graduate program.
Application Instructions 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.
