Position Function:
Mississippi State University Libraries seek a dynamic, visionary, and collaborative scholar to serve as an Assistant Professor. This 12-month, tenure-track faculty position offers an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the most significant collections of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War materials in the nation - the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana - housed alongside the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and Museum at Mississippi State University.
The successful candidate will provide intellectual, curatorial, and scholarly leadership for the collection; foster research, teaching, and public engagement; and supervise a full-time professional staff member responsible for archival processing and collection management. The faculty member will hold the Assistant Professor rank within MSU Libraries and report to the Frank and Virginia Williams Endowed Chair for Abraham Lincoln and Civil War Studies.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
January 1, 2026
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Collection Stewardship & Development
- Provide intellectual and curatorial leadership for the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, ensuring its continued preservation, growth, and scholarly relevance.
- Oversee collection development, acquisitions, description, and digitization in alignment with the Libraries' strategic plan and MSU's Strategic Plan for Transformational Change.
- Collaborate with the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and Museum, the Department of History, and other campus and national partners to promote the collection's visibility and academic impact.
- Engage donors, scholars, and cultural heritage organizations to support collection growth and programming.
Research, Teaching & Outreach
- Conduct original research and publish in areas related to Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War era, or 19th-century U.S. political, cultural, or legal history.
- Facilitate student and faculty research by integrating primary sources into classroom instruction, workshops, and exhibitions.
- Lead and collaborate on exhibitions, symposia, lectures, and digital projects that enhance the interpretation of Lincoln's legacy.
- Broaden public engagement and work to contextualize the materials within the collection for a modern audience.
- Represent the collection and Mississippi State University Libraries at national and international conferences and professional associations.
Supervision & Management
- Supervise and mentor a professional staff member responsible for archival processing.
- Oversee workflows and priorities for description, digitization, and preservation, ensuring adherence to best practices in archival and museum standards.
- Coordinate with the Endowed Chair and Libraries administration on budgeting, project management, grants, and donor stewardship related to the collection.
Service & Institutional Engagement
- Actively contribute to the Libraries' governance, faculty service, and assessment initiatives.
- Support the Libraries' research impact, open scholarship, and digital humanities program through collaboration and outreach.
- Participate in university and professional service, fostering partnerships that align with the Libraries' mission of advancing scholarship, access, and engagement.
Rank and salary: Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor. This is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position with a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Minimum Qualifications:
- ALA accredited MLS/MLIS or Ph.D. in History or closely related discipline (ABDs will be considered with completion date within one year of start date.).
- Demonstrated strong potential for scholarly publication and professional achievement.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a faculty environment and to lead cross-disciplinary projects.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing or curating historical collections or museum exhibitions.
- Experience work with primary sources, special collections, or archival materials.
- Supervisory experience in an academic or cultural heritage setting.
- Familiarity with digital scholarship, archival processing, and public history or museum interpretation.
- Evidence of success in grant writing, fundraising, or donor relations to support collection development or research initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to lead and mentor staff.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
- No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
- No or very limited physical effort required.
Instructions for Applying:
To be considered an applicant, you must apply online at Mississippi State University's website and submit the following in order for your application to be complete:
1. Cover letter addressing experience and qualifications;
2. a curriculum vitae; and
3. the names and contact information including phone numbers of at least three (3) professional references.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
