Position Details
- What is the teaching load for these positions?
- It is 2-1 (i.e., three classes per academic year).
- What are the tenure expectations at MIT?
- MIT has an extra promotion step on the tenure ladder known as Associate Professor without Tenure (AWOT). Typically to achieve AWOT one needs a book or the equivalent in articles (if one does research in an area that does not normally produce books). Though there are no hard & fast rules, generally to advance to Associate with Tenure (AWIT), one needs to have made substantial progress toward completing a second book or the equivalent in articles. The quality and evidence of influence of one’s work is more important than simple quantity.
- Teaching should be excellent. Service expectations for AWOT are minimal, and still modest for AWIT though some service to the department, School, and Institute is expected. Note that we are not considering those who already hold tenure at their institution for the Assistant position. For the official process, see the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences policies and MIT policies.
- I am an advanced assistant professor, at least 4 years out from my PhD. Can I apply for the assistant professor search?
- MIT has an academic rank known as Associate Professor without Tenure (AWOT) that would be the appropriate category for advanced assistant professor candidates. Unfortunately, the current search is not authorized to hire at the AWOT level, so we are not in a position to consider advanced assistant professors (holding PhD from 2020 or prior) for this search. Such candidates should consider applying for our Senior search, opening on August 1. Note this cutoff may be more flexible for candidates who have been in non-faculty positions (postdocs, etc.).
Life in CMS/W, at MIT, and around Boston
- What has the typical junior faculty experience been like within CMS/W?
- Speaking from our personal experience: Junior faculty have relatively light and flexible teaching demands with time and support to get necessary research and writing done. MIT culture generally leaves junior faculty to their own devices, which rewards those with individual drive, initiative, and perseverance, but can be challenging for those who need more structure.
- What is it like living in the Boston area?
- This is a matter of personal opinion, but here are some generally recognized advantages & disadvantages:
- Advantages: Major metropolitan area, great restaurants, great schools, professional sports, outstanding arts and museums, lively music scene, noteworthy history, easy access to wilderness and the coast. This is also a wonderful place to be an academic, with so many universities close by and easily accessible.
- Disadvantages: Expensive place to live, traffic is challenging, and the weather takes some getting used to depending on where you are from.
- This article is helpful, and you’ll find plenty of online discussions on what it is like to live here.
- This is a matter of personal opinion, but here are some generally recognized advantages & disadvantages:
Application Process
- I am trying to upload a portfolio but Interfolio doesn’t accept .zip files and/or I want to avoid links as my work isn’t publicly available. What should I do?
- You should be able to upload up to three samples of your work, but there are some limitations as to file type/size (Interfolio has a list of acceptable file types here). The best option is likely to combine what you have into one or more pdfs, and for videos include a password-protected link if that is acceptable.
- For the sample articles required for the application, would it be okay to submit unpublished articles due to their relevance to my current research interests?
- Unpublished articles are acceptable as a writing sample if publications are not available.
Views expressed here represent the perspective of the search committee only. Please email Prof. Paul Roquet (proquet@mit.edu) with any inquiries.