Professor, Creative Writing Program, College of Arts & Sciences

The Boston University Creative Writing Program (CWP) seeks a fiction writer of national/international stature to teach in its renowned MFA Program, including recruitment and mentoring of MFA fiction writers, occasionally teach undergraduates, and direct the CWP. The successful candidate will be considered for appointment to the Andrew W. Mellon Professorship in the Humanities, at the rank of Full Professor, with tenure. The Andrew W. Mellon Professorship in the Humanities was established in 1973 by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as a way to help strengthen the influence of the humanities in educational programs.

Primary expertise and significant publications in fiction (ideally short fiction and the novel) in English is required; publication and teaching expertise in a second genre (e.g. Creative Nonfiction) would be a plus, as would publication and teaching experience in Literary Translation. We are looking for a colleague who will help administer and build our Creative Writing Program, and administrative experience is necessary for the directorship of the CWP. The starting salary for this position will be $150,000 to $220,000.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter; CV; writing sample (max 20 pages); teaching statement; creative statement; and three letters of reference by February 2, 2026, to ensearch@bu.edu.

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas.

Required Skills

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated finding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, final candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.

Required Experience

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated finding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, final candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.