Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.
 

Position Summary:

The Humanities Research Center (HRC) at Rice University seeks to appoint one Post-MFA Fellow in Creative Writing.

The Humanities Research Center is an internationally recognized hub that fosters innovative humanities and arts research at Rice University and builds collaborations with local, national, and global partners.

We seek emerging writers who have demonstrated expertise in creative and public writing, particularly at the intersection of higher education, democracy, and the U.S. South. Applicants must have proven experience in translating academic research into publicly accessible forms, such as research-driven creative work. Applicants must also demonstrate professional experience beyond graduate training in at least one of the following: community-based research or creative projects, professional editorial work, and/or podcast production. The cover letter and CV should include specific examples.

The successful applicant will conduct research related to the Sawyer Seminar “Writing History, Righting Democracy.” This seminar will bring together Rice University faculty and students as well as Houston-based scholars, artists, curators, activists, public librarians, and community members to examine the legacies of higher education that continue to affect our present, particularly within the context of Texas. Through complementary approaches grounded in humanistic research methods and critical creative practices, this seminar strives to not only imagine but also advance a more just institutional future at Rice University and beyond.

During the Sawyer Seminar year (2026–27), the Post-MFA Fellow will attend seminar meetings, develop writing related to the seminar, provide mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students in the research group, meet with internal and external collaborators, present their work at public events, and develop publications, podcasts, reports, and/or other materials related to the seminar activities.

The Post-MFA Fellow will have an office within the HRC and will have interdisciplinary faculty mentors. They will be selected based on the relevance of their work to the seminar’s theme, potential for outreach and collaboration with local partners, publication record, and history of or interest in collaborative research and practice, particularly in vertically integrated projects.

This position is for the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal for a second year (subject to performance review and funding). This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, residential position with a 0/0 teaching load in year 1 and a 1/1 teaching load in year 2. The Post-MFA Fellow will receive an annual salary of $70,000 and will be expected to be in residence in Houston no later than August 1, 2026.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover letter

• Three-page CV

• Research or artistic statement, including how your artistic or professional practice connects to the Sawyer Seminar theme (no more than three pages)

• Writing samples (up to three public writing pieces, totaling no more than 25 pages, double-spaced)

• One sample syllabus (any undergraduate-level course)

• Teaching evaluations

• Contact information for three references (we will solicit letters of recommendation for shortlisted candidates only)

Application Instructions:

• Combine all the required application materials into a single PDF

• All applications must be submitted via the Rice Jobs portal. Fill out the required identification information on the portal, and then submit the PDF with all the application materials as an attachment. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 CST. Late applications will not be accepted. It is recommended that applicants not wait until the last minute to apply.

• You do not need to fill out the application portal with information about education and previous work experience. Applications will be reviewed based on the PDF with all the required application materials as outlined above

• If you have difficulty attaching the PDF, please email it to [email protected], and it will be attached to your application

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This position will require a minimum of three days per week in person at the Humanities Research Center, with a weekly schedule determined in coordination with supervisors. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
 

Hiring Range: $70,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

Applicants from any creative writing field are eligible to apply and must have the MFA or PhD in Creative Writing in hand by June 30, 2026. Applicants must have received their MFA or PhD no earlier than January 1, 2021. Applicants must have a proven track record in creative and public writing. Applicants should have experience and enthusiasm regarding collaborative research and teaching at the undergraduate level. Applicants must have excellent communication and time-management skills.

Essential Functions:

Work-related duties may include:

• Participating in meetings and activities related to the Sawyer Seminar, including planning meetings, lectures, and other events

• Conducting research related to the Sawyer Seminar, including leading research groups

• Mentoring, overseeing, and/or training junior research team members (graduate and undergraduate students)

• Supporting project management

• Developing creative projects related to the Seminar

• Participating and presenting own research in the HRC’s “Fellows Fridays,” an interdisciplinary working group with other emerging and established scholars

• Participating in HRC programming

• Other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.