Professor of Languages

The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (NELC) seeks to appoint a tenure-track professor in the archaeology and history of ancient Israel and its environs, that is, the Levantine ecological region, or Mediterranean coastline from the Sinai to Cilicia west of the Syrian Steppe. The emphasis on archaeology maintains the focus on the recovery and analysis of material culture through archaeological survey and excavation. Period(s) of specialization can range from roughly the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic era. The emphasis on history concerns wider issues in the study of the social, religious, and cultural history of ancient Israel and beyond, such as the materiality of empire, trade and economy, state formation, and the history of religion and cultic practice.

The successful candidate will articulate a program of teaching and research that will offer NELC students the opportunity to participate in archaeological digs and strengthen Harvard’s presence in the region. The candidate should also be comfortable integrating the findings of field archaeology with literary, epigraphic, and/or iconographic evidence, all to inform the larger narrative of ancient history of Israel and of its neighboring regions.

We expect the successful candidate to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the NELC Department, with scholars from but not limited to Anthropology, Classics, History of Art and Architecture, Comparative Literature, Religion, and the Ancient Studies Program, to establish regional and international collaboration, and to participate in proposals for cooperative research projects. We value candidates whose experience in teaching, research, and community service has demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and excellence. Historically excluded or marginalized individuals are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in hand by June 2024.

Doctorate or terminal degree in Ancient Near Eastern/Israelite/Syro-Palestinian archaeology or related discipline required by the time the appointment begins. The candidate will offer archaeology courses, undergraduate historical and cultural surveys, and doctoral seminars.

Demonstrated strong commitment to teaching and advising is desired. The ability to contribute to Digital Humanities for the ancient Near/Middle East is a plus.

Please submit the following materials through the ARIeS portal (https://academicpositions.harvard.edu). Applications will be reviewed starting September 1, 2023.

1. Cover letter

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Teaching/advising statement (describing teaching philosophy and practices)

4. Research statement

5. Statement describing efforts to encourage diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including past, current, and anticipated future contributions in these areas.

6. Names and contact information (ONLY at this stage) of 3–5 referees. The referees will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation only if the candidate’s application proceeds to the next round. At least one letter must come from someone who has not served as the candidate’s undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral advisor.

7. Two publications or writing samples.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Professor Peter Der Manuelian, Search Committee, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
6 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

assistant, associate, faculty, instructor, tenure track

Boston, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA, Northeast, New England
Archaeology, Israel, Levant, religion, ancient history