Russian & Slavic 2011-2012

'''Уважаемые коллеги! Добро пожаловать! '''The 2011-12 hiring season has arrived.

A few guidelines to keep things neat:

1. Please update the Wiki when you learn about new searches, canceled searches, notifications of interviews, campus interviews, and concluded searches/offers.

2. When adding new searches, please list the institution name in alphabetical order. If an institution is conducting more than one search in the field, list the university and the position name in parentheses beside it, creating two separate entries for updates. Use Header 2 so that the institution will show up in the Contents list below.

3. When updating the status of searches, please give the means by which you learned of the news and also the date, i.e., Interview scheduled (phone), 12/15/11; Search cancelled (word of mouth), January, 2012; Rejection (mail), 3/17/12.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE USING THIS WIKI?
 * PhD in hand: 14
 * ABD: 9
 * Contemporary: 2
 * 20th century: 10
 * 19th century: 7
 * Pre-19th century: 2
 * Linguistics: 3
 * TOTAL: 23
 * Curious: out of 23 people who said here that they are using the site, how many got jobs this year?
 * Me, but not a job listed on this wiki page
 * I got a summer job but haven't gotten a full-time job yet.
 * My VAP contract was renewed

Anyone else thinks the job market this year is the pits, even worse than it usually is?

 * If so, what are you thinking of doing next year? I still have a year of contract left, so I guess I'm somewhat lucky. But thinking about leaving academia. There are many options out there that aren't quite as humiliating, uncertain, and staggeringly disproportionate to the degree you got.
 * I am particularly taken aback by the condescending, openly exploitative tone of some of the interviews. I hear other people making the same remarks, too -- a friend got totally trashed and ridiculed at several interviews. I wasn't a fan of Occupy movements, but I am beginning to see the point...
 * that sounds awful - ridiculed in what way?? i am also considering leaving, but it's hard to know where to start. plus the feeling that you're no good for anything else but academia doesn't help...
 * They trashed his/her research. On being no good: there are good resources out there on transferable skills for humanities PhDs. Google it. Chronicle.com also has a good forum on this subject. Also articles on how Ph.D.s find jobs in private high schools. Good luck!
 * Thanks for the tips! My sympathies to your friend, I have nightmares about this happening to me.
 * My interview experience wasn't great. The questions were exacting and self-centered on the part of the faculty.
 * One of my senior colleagues has been tracking for over 30 years, and this is by far the worst year. I'm planning to give it 5 years to get T-T, then retrain for another field if I don't, and I'm doing relatively well (currently VAP, have another multi-year offer on the table). It isn't enough to be good anymore, you have to be very lucky.
 * Yes! As my partner just said, "It's like Vegas. You can't assume that just because you keep going back and gambling, you will eventually win."
 * Interesting re: 5 years to get T-T, above. Do any of you plan to do this even as a VAP, for those multi-year contracts? To an extent, I am quite comfortable where I am, too: I have a multi-year contract, very nice colleagues, very nice students, we do quite well as a program, my family has great health insurance because of my job. Yet it has some weird hierarchical implications. Not quite faculty, you know, etc. and sometimes it really hurts. And the falseness of it all, the "contingency," the "visiting," can get annoying, to put it mildly. And our being comfortable with this sort of thing is part of what enables the system to be dysfunctional: the universities can keep the VAP positions without creating T-T lines. What to do? I have been thinking about my job as just "a job," rather than a "romantic" commitment to the university that T-T and tenure imply, and am trying just to enjoy it, for now.
 * The logic for 5 years is that after that, you're ineligible for a lot of the young scholar support and eventually (I think) search committees stop considering you seriously...
 * Folks, there are options, and you are good at things. To me, 5 years in post-doc limbo seemed like a recipe for self-loathing and life paused. This writer successfully transitioned out of Slavic academia doldrums to a successful non-academic career in which I use skills I picked up while a grad student (though not my Russian). Trust me, you don't deserved to be ridiculed at job interviews; I'm sorry that happened and embarrassed for whatever loser faculty members pulled that.
 * Thank you to the poster above. That's good to hear. Yep, you got it -- "life paused" is it, plus extra strangeness and abuse of power by senior faculty towards those in VAP positions. May I ask what field (in very general terms) you transitioned to? I'm thinking it may be time to jump ship and it's good to hear about transferable skills.
 * I have to admit, I have become fairly jaded over the last year-and-a-half of applying, getting my hopes up, and then not even receving a rejection letter. I would like some of you to comment impressions I have about the job market right now. Some of them are, perhaps, un-PC, but it seems to be the trend I am seeing. 1) Public Schools are not getting nearly the attention of private ones in this job market; 2) non-native speakers are really at a disadvantage, in the sense, that Americans are dispreffered to natives when it comes to language teaching; 3) Almost all jobs emphasize literature while not even giving linguistics a shot; 4) A lot of these jobs have internal candidates, and most of the application process is a farce; 5) This one may not set well with most, but I feel that women are getting hired at a much higher rate than men. I haven't even received one Skype interview despite having excellent credentials, great references, and 6+ years of teaching experience at the undergrad level. Am I wrong to think that I deserve at least a Skype interview? Feel free to comment, I just want to know whether I am extra-jaded right now. (x2)
 * Don't know what to tell you. I am on the other side of almost all those parameters, and I am also very disappointed. I wasted so much time on the job market this year, and nothing came of it.
 * I think the trends that have been noticed (two comments above this) are basically bunk. Anecdotal evidence is not evidence. Women in the humanities are being hired at a slightly higher rate than men, but make up a higher percentage of the field by men, by a bigger margin. You can play around with all of the statistics here: http://nces.ed.gov/datalab/quickstats/default.aspx
 * Is anyone else having a nervous breakdown over this job search? I'm just so frustrated with not even receiving one interview this year. I am a recent PhD, but I have lots of teaching experience (with good evaluations) at the undergraduate level. I'm sure most of us are in my boat. But I only ask because I wonder if something is going horribly wrong with this search this year. It seems degrees from state universitites are supremely undervalued in comparison with private school. Does anyone feel the same way? I'm at a loss right now... (x2)
 * I am also in panic. Had a couple interviews, but no job in the end. Can it get even worse next year?
 * Yep, nervous breakdown just about describes it, but coping and looking for other kinds of things to do. There ARE jobs in other fields, and most of them pay far better than adjuncting. We just need Plan B. Plus, the field is not very kind or fair even once you get the job. Mark Halliday calls a new hire in academia, with great sarcasm, "filled with the hormones of being a chosen worker here." :-) (The whole poem is here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/242754). So... it really isn't all that adrenaline-y, once you get it. I speak as someone who adores teaching and research, but does not adore the colleagues. Why yearn for it so much? For some of us, it's a good time to leave.

The University of Arizona - Visiting Assistant Professor (Sabbatical Replacement)

 * http://www.uacareertrack.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=203916
 * Not clear when review begins
 * So... any signs of life on Mars? I mean, Arizona?

Bard College - Two-Year Visiting Assistant Professor

 * The Russian and Eurasian Program at Bard College invited applications for a two-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian
 * Position begins Fall 2012
 * Requirements:
 * Ph.D. in Russian Language/Slavic Studies
 * Native or near-native proficiency in Russian and English
 * Experience teaching Russian at all levels.
 * Responsibilities will include supervising extracurricular activities aimed at promoting Russian culture at Bard.
 * Send (email only) to Dr. Marina Kostalevsky at hr12029@bard.edu:
 * Letter of Application
 * CV
 * Writing Sample
 * Three letters of recommendation
 * Evidence of excellence in teaching
 * Review of applications will begin March 31, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled

Bates College - Lecturer in German and Russian

 * deadline Nov 21

Binghamton University - Visiting Asst Prof (3 years)

 * Review begins in Jan
 * [re last year's search; moved from below

Last year when the Binghamton search failed after the on-campus interviews had taken place they had to go back to the original application pool to find their candidate. Something like that happening is why they leave it open until the position is definitely settled. It doesn't have to do with the department itself. It's more likely an HR policy.

That is not what happened with Binghamton. They actually hired soemone who went on the campus interivew. (1/31)

The person Binghamton hired may have had a campus interview, but they had it *after* all three candidates invited for the campus interview turned the job down. So they had to do a second round of on-campus interviews.

Does anyone know why the applicants all refused the position? I ask as an applicant to this year's iteration.

Combination of personal circumstances and better (more long-term) offers elsewhere. It's not a comment on the school. ]


 * Request for Skype interview 2/1 (x3), and 2/13
 * So was there only one of us who got a Skype interview? Do you think they're interviewing candidates one at a time? (I've heard of that happening.)
 * I just received a letter stating that they are still reviewing applications and will inform me of the results. (2/16)
 * Invited for campus visit (2/27)
 * Received rejection letter (I was one of those who got a Skype interview) 3/19. (x2)
 * Received rejection letter (I had an on-campus interview) 3/19

Bowdoin College - Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Russian (1 year)

 * Has anyone heard anything?
 * I heard through the grapevine that they were already conducting interviews, maybe even on campus.
 * A friend just heard about a phone interview from them.
 * To the person who made that last entry: when did you post it? Thank you. <-- I posted it 3/4
 * Grapevine 3/12: I heard that they conducted finalist interviews both via Skype/phone and on-campus.
 * email rejected received
 * Email received 3/27 stating that they had "selected the candidate whose qualifications best meet the needs of our program." I'm guessing this candidate was not me.

Brigham Young University - Open rank position in Second Language Acquisition (tenure track)

 * deadline Jan 2

Carnegie-Mellon University - Open rank position in Second Language Acquisition (tenure track)

 * Review begins Oct 31

College of the Holy Cross - Assistant Professor of Russian (tenure track)

 * deadline Nov 1
 * Has anyone received a response? I haven't. (12/12)
 * not me yet, either (12/12)
 * I emailed shortly after submitting my material because I sent it a little late. They replied saying I was missing my undergraduate transcripts. Based on the job announcement, I assumed they only wanted graduate transcripts, and I wonder if anyone else only sent those in, and, if so, if they were told they also needed undergraduate transcripts to complete their application. (12/13)
 * That's very strange and concerning. If they're waiting for undergrad transcripts, they'll have a very small pool, I bet. I only sent in grad school transcripts. I didn't contact them because I assumed my application was complete.
 * I also only sent the grad transcripts. I'd like to think they'd get in touch if they really wanted the undergrad transcripts!
 * In any case, the position looks tailor-made for their current lecturer who has been there for years.
 * This is ridiculous. It seems like this is their way to create a very, very small "pile A." Do they care what you got in chemistry in your sophomore year 15 years ago? I did not mail my undergrad transcripts either and I agree that they probably have an inside candidate. In that case, can't they just do a direct hire? I hate it when academics engage in this kind of hypocritical show of openness. It would save applicants time and emotions if they just hired the person. It would save them time and money that they will presumably spend on bringing someone to campus. In my current job, they spent $10,000 on a similar search, and yes, ended up hiring the really nice, really smart adjunct. ??
 * I sent both my undergrad and grad transcripts, and I haven't heard anything. I'm convinced that there's something shady going on. It should be illegal.
 * I believe that they are required to do an open search for a tenure-track position, even if they know whom they want to hire. Sad for us, but true.
 * But is it an "open" search if they don't even interview anyone?
 * What if they just advertised the job and said, at the end, "but don't bother apply, because we already know whom we will hire."
 * THIS SUCKS. Shall we do anything about it? It doesn't seem like anyone even got an interview. Any time this kind of thing happens in our field (grossly unethical and blatantly so actions), it would be nice to have an open conversation about it. Or just have a private party at AATSEEL and gripe. Preferably in a jaccuzzi.
 * Has anyone else written to the department to check on the status of the search? The next step is to write to HR. They should be interested in the fairness of this process.
 * No comment on the fairness of the search, but they have invited candidates for on-campus interviews. (grapevine)
 * I emailed them asking for a status on the search, but have not heard anything yet. (1/6)
 * Received rejection letter by snail mail 1/28 (x2)
 * There are definitely three on-campus interviews, two external and one the adjunct whom someone mentions earlier.
 * Fascinating rejection letter. Doesn't even mention that you are being rejected, but plenty of verbiage about our "fine" research and the "very careful consideration." Like something out of Gogol. Especially given the likelihood that they will hire the current contingent faculty member.
 * Offer made and accepted (grapevine).
 * Was it the suspected internal candidate?
 * Yes, it was. I feel like we should be charitable about this, especially considering that any one of us might become an internal candidate someday. So many of these 3-yr VAP positions are advertised with the intention of creating a tenure line with an internal candidate. After putting in the time and doing an excellent job, I'd want to be given a slight advantage too! (x2)
 * No beef for the internal candidate. But the system is not exactly honest or transparent, either. There is such a thing as a "direct hire." I wish more colleges used it, rather than act hypocritically.(x2)
 * Exactly, why couldn't they just hire that internal candiadte to begin with, rather than make everyone suffer through the interview process.
 * What amazes me is that this kind of thing is not only cynical but also costs upward of $6,000 at my current (contingent) job. One could fund two solid research trips abroad through this. An undergraduate research project. Maybe even part of a sabbatical. Also, the time spent by the people on the search committee. Who benefits from this practice? I understand the desire to "try out" the person in a contingent position before committing to 7 years with him or her, but the next circle of hell (for everyone involved, including the inside candidate as the uncomfortable person that people see at AATSEEL--the practice is divisive despite some people's good intentions!) seems completely unnecessary. Or is this how things happen in academia--it's about time wasting, rather than doing something genuinely exciting? (x2)

Columbia University - Lecturer in Discipline (Russian)

 * immediate review
 * interview scheduled at ASEEES (email)
 * When were you contacted? (11/15)
 * any developments?
 * Heard through the grapevine that they have invited candidates to campus for teaching demo. (1/27)
 * Heard an offer has been made (only a rumor, may not be accepted).
 * Did the above information come from a reliable source? When was the offer made? (I didn't get a rejection yet, and I am wondering why.) (3/9) (x2)
 * any updates?

Davidson College - Visiting Assistant Professor

 * 2 year position w/ possibility for renewal; 20th century; 3/2 teaching load
 * CV, transcript, 3 letters of rec, statement of teaching philosophy, writing sample
 * deadline Nov. 15
 * invitation to interview (12/13 email): (x8)
 * rejection: did not fit their profile: 12/13
 * yep, same as above
 * Those interviewed at AATSEEL should hear soon about campus interview. They plan to invite 2 people to campus in Feb. (1/9)
 * Email: "At this time we have not made any final decisions in our search. We will be in touch again by late February." (1/12) (x2)

Heard through the grapevine: finalists were invited for campus visits
 * Does anyone know if this means one is not invited? :)
 * I got the same email. I assume it means they have invited people to campus.
 * I like how this is up for interpretation!

Is this the email they sent to everyone who was interviewed but not invited to campus?

I would guess so. Unless there's someone who was interviewed, not invited to campus, and did not get this email.

of course it means you are not invited. After the on-campus, they will let you know that they have chosen their candidate--that's what late February refers to. An alternative, and certainly more honest, rejection email would have read: we have made our selection for on-campus interviews but the general search remains open.

Very "polite" of them. Doesn't make me want to work for them, honestly.

Last year when the Binghamton search failed after the on-campus interviews had taken place they had to go back to the original application pool to find their candidate. Something like that happening is why they leave it open until the position is definitely settled. It doesn't have to do with the department itself. It's more likely an HR policy. [moved Binghamton info up]

It's standard practice to keep a search open until an offer has been accepted; this can take many weeks.

Position offered and accepted, 2/8 (grapevine)

Official email from the search committee saying that the position has been filled. (2/15) Congrats to the person hired! (x2 - same email - and big congrats to the person hired! really seems like a great place!)

A very nice rejection letter.

Does anyone know who got the job? (Happy for them -- just interested in who ended up being a good fit for the institution).

3/4 - Answer to the last question: the person who got the job is someone who fits the original job description and who was chosen after a rigorous and fair process and whose name will, no doubt, be posted on the department website when this person arrives at Davidson in the fall. (This post is authored by the finalist who did not get the job.)

The hire is posted on their website currently - take a look!

As usual, an ABD from a big name school is obviously a "better fit" than a Ph.D. from "NN" University. But all the best wishes in any case:)

To the last commentator on here: I have a Ph.D. from a "big name school," which I received two years ago and have been teaching since, yet I was the other finalist for this job who didn't end up getting it. Which, I believe, disproves at least your theory that an ABD (with less experience than a Ph.D. as your comment implies) is a better fit as long as they are from a "big name school." From what I know about this search, it was conducted impeccably and the chosen candidate must really be the best fit for what they needed.

May I ask the last commentator whether he/she is a male or female? The entire Russian faculty is female at Davidson. Just look at Berkeley's Russian Department: 16 affiliated female professors and lecturers to 2 male professors and 2 male lecturers. Is this a coincidence?

Answer: what's the logic of this question? That a male candiidate is at a disadvantage? First of all, the statement about "the entire Russian faculty" at Davidson is uninformed - because there is only one Russian faculty member there (the search was to hire a second faculty member). Second, what has Berkeley to do with it - why specifically Berkeley as the point of comparison?

Response to the above answer: I am not the only one who finds a 16: 4 ratio of women to men faculty at Berkeley to be a striking statistic. It's probably a coincidence, but makes one wonder.

Yeah, it makes one wonder why someone who found a majority-female workplace a problem would choose to go into a field that is currently much more popular with women than with men, kind of like one might wonder about someone who wanted to go into basketball but complained about the number of black players in the sport now. Given the ratio of female to male graduate students I saw at this year's AATSEEL conference, most of the new hires are going to be female because most of the job seekers are going to be female. Furthermore, if I were on a search committee looking to hire someone to teach my (mostly female) students, I would vet the candidates very carefully for any sort of a bad attitude towards women, just as I would vet them for a bad attitude towards language instruction or mentoring graduate students. As someone who has spent the last academic year feverishly putting together job applications with little result, I can understand being frustrated and upset, but blaming a group that was barred from enrolling in a lot of the "big name schools" until recently will probably not help your cause. (x2)

People go into Slavic L&L not for money that's for sure. Nor have I ever seen a trend that more women are studying lit. At my school before I graduated, women were just barely a minority. This stuff about bad attitudes towards women is sexist. What I am talking about is giving those qualified a fair shot, despite not coming from a big-name school.not having a Slavic last name, being male, or being an internal candidate, for that matter. At several conferences this year my colleagues have expressed similar concerns. I'm not saying these are facts...I'm saying that they are trends that I have seen in the results of recent hires. How can Berkeley serious get away with having 16 women and 4 male professors. There needs to be parity, because I can assure you there are lots and lots of capable men that could should at least have a shot at interviewing for those positions.

I would say I don't understand the anti-Berkeley trend in this thread. I took a look at the ratios, and if you are just looking at professors in the department (not lecturers) the ratio is 6:4 (women:men). I wouldn't say that's particularly skewed. We do tend to see more women in the not so permanent lecturer position (which has always been the case in academia). Across the board I think that most Slavic departments have a relatively fair spread as well. Say, Yale (4 women: 5 men), University of Wisconsin (4 women: 5 men), Princeton (4 women: 5 men). I picked departments at random, counted only professors (not emeritus). I have to doubt that men are being actively excluded from positions (I know there have been male finalists for other jobs this season). It's terrible for all of us. I truly believe that these positions are about that elusive "fit," and that sometimes, that can feel rather disciminatory.

I think this trend of "feminizing" literature, and even language, studies in general (not only Slavic, but other languages as well) is rather common (wasn't there an aritcle about this recently somewhere?). For example, in my lang/lit undegraduate class there are 3 male students out 18. I wonder if anyone else notices a similar tendency in their undergraduate courses. So it seems there are other major factors invloved in landing a job, such as: do you know somebody who knows somebody who could "put in a word" for you? do you have the right people writing your references? Not even to mention your publication record, private school education and teaching experience, which often seems to be of a least importance. I have spoken to several professors from different disciplines and they all say this is the worst year, by far. I know it's not very reassuring, in fact, it's not reassuring at all, when you spend hours putting job applications together and never hear back. I just wanted to stress that there are plenty of female applicants who do not even get interviews, not to say a job offer.

Wow, he just DOES NOT GET IT. It's not about HIM. He's not entitled an interview. What we need are more JOBS in the field. But all he can think about is how this is "reverse discrimination" because all of the women are taking jobs that could go to qualified men. Does he know about the female candidates' accomplishments? Their experience? Clearly he is only interested in twisting facts to support his existing biases. This is obvious from his comment about Davidson above. (x99%)

I am not the male poster above, and I don't identify with the possible bias. Now, from what I can tell, more and more of us are disappointed and feel completely disheartened, and I understand why. I also understand one wants answers for which one didn't get anything (just for the record, I didn't either--and I feel this way too). I actually have horrible dreams where it is revealed why I didn't get anything. And when there are no answers, one is tempted to make them up. I feel for people. However: the job market is this way in part because we are all taking it--taking what we can get. I mean those "dream jobs," which are mostly VAP positions renewed ad nauseam with no prospect of "official" employment; interviews with arrogant senior faculty; the limbo mentioned above; the idea that Davidson wants to try out a person AND THEN still have a national search (after their person develops the program, no less), and that this is considered to be a wonderful situation. Generally, we are eager to take what many departments offer we do: promote the department, develop it, as if it is our responsibility and not that of people who have been there for years and know the campus culture and the students, and then get told that we are not truly faculty. We're even willing to do it for the pay of junior hairdresser. I hate to say it, but it's supply / demand, with an oversaturated market, and as long as we put up with this, with the illusory idea that this is just getting a foot in the door and it gets better (or that we can even get another job after the current contingent one! not at all a probable situation for us), we are going to get shafted. It's hard for me to decide, but I am leaning to be done with this profession after my contract here ends. This is from a person who has had a f-t job for a number of years, made a name for self in the field, has references from several stars in the field, enjoys the job in many ways, and is extremely popular with students as demonstrated by one course evaluation after another and -- get this -- people say I'm likeable. But you know what, I got 1 interview this year, and it didn't go anywhere. I am tired of being treated like a lackey at my VAP job and a fool who gets rejected over and over again by other employers. I recommend that more of us consider doing something more meaningful and positive, and not letting the market and the best-case scenario -- those "dream jobs" -- ruin our health. Life is short.

Wow! I just began my first VAP job and am hoping to achieve all of what you have done already (make a name for myself through pubs, get good references, evals, etc.) so as to get that elusive TT job. I have been lucky and not run into the arrogant senior faculty, but I have only had one TT interview, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Anyway, your post (and everyone else's) has made me think about just how badly I want this. I have always been willing to pursue other careers (we have to be, given the market), and have been lucky to have the opportunity to go after my first choice. The money is terrible, though. I have friends making much more who have lesser degrees. Is the 9-5 schedule and twice as much money worth it? Right now I'm leaning towards no, but I can definitely see myself changing my mind in a few years, particularly as all these VAP jobs do not allow for raises (hence the year-to-year renewal).

On a side note regarding sexism on the job market, I wonder how many male candidates have encountered arrogant, condescending senior faculty during interviews vs. female candidates. I know I'm generalizing, but it seems that more frequently older men take more liberties when addressing younger women than they do with younger men. I'm mostly just curious, but if I was forced to articulate my reason for the question, I suppose it is because regardless of the recent trends that may or may not be observed in hiring processes, I think men still get many unfair advantages, even if those advantages are not as tangible as they once were.

I'm the person with the long-termish VAP position, above. Reply to the "how badly I want this" comment. I definitely get it. I think you should enjoy your VAP position, and depending on your colleagues and students, it may be a very good ride. Also, doing something with your hard-earned degree is very important and validating and makes life meaningful. Furthermore, these days, tenure is getting to be an elusive animal and may become outdated over time, so maybe a VAP is not such a bad thing. And I'm 500% with you on the "I love doing this" front. I absolutely love my actual job responsibilities and don't do it just for the money (or the location, or any of the other intangibles). I even happen to get along well with my colleagues most of the time. But sometimes the atmosphere gets too poisonous, too political, too egomaniacal, and frankly, VAPs are particularly vulnerable. That's the part that screws up people's mental health in many foreign languages / Russian / Slavic depts. It eats up the mind and, if you want to be Slavic about it, the soul. It's this that I don't want to compromise on, because in the end, I suffer, my students suffer, my colleagues suffer... and it's like this in many departments in the field, so it's extremely disheartening to watch. What really gets to me is -- why be bad to our students, in particular? They're the ones whom we serve, and they are getting a crappy deal in the end, if we have to turn off parts of ourselves.

And here's another thing. VAP positions used to be temporary, on the way to t-t. They are no longer this way in our field (at least, many of them are not). They used to be positions where you were on the outskirts of things, but look at many of this year's job postings: they emphasize building up the Russian programs, attracting students to the classes, various fun things with the students. This is all at the expense of your time that could be spent doing research, and there is no limit to the many fun things you can / are supposed to do with your students. Now, say, you love doing this kind of stuff. Say, you even find that elusive balance between research, teaching, scholarship, oh, and people in your life (consider a child. Now we're way over the limit. But OK, more to the point). But here's where it goes really bad: the more you get involved in your program, the more you get sucked into department politics. And yet you're more vulnerable because you're untenured. Now, does this look like a good ride? Not in the long term, I think. But there are probably advantages and disadvantages to either position, and it's very personal, so one should do what one loves, and see what happens. Perhaps, too, more of us who enjoy collaborating and don't enjoy backbiting should stay and change the culture of the field... gradually.

Re: the subtle sexism: As a female graduate student I definitely find that even well-intentioned male professors tend to be arrogant and condescending--as do a lot of my male undergraduate students. As far as I can tell, it's completely unconscious on their part and if it were pointed out to them, I'm sure they would be shocked and offended and deny it vehemently, but it doesn't make it any less real. It also seems that the female graduate students do more of the "fun activities with students" stuff, which is important but not as prestigious as publishing or attending conferences. And as for the stress: professors (of both sexes) in my department who once had reputations as cheerful and good to work with are now gaining reputations as people to avoid at all costs. This is very sad and I think those of us who care about our field need to be prepared to try to create change from the inside.

(X2. How?) Just one opinion here. Mentorship and collaboration are key. Senior faculty should make an effort to mentor and graduate students/junior faculty should take initiative and follow-up. These kinds of relationships are difficult to create and maintain. There is a lot of pressure to worry about one's own publishing record and for many, there is the issue of heavy teaching loads. However it's important to develop a sense of responsibility toward each other. Within departments, we have to form alliances that go beyond politics and to support each other in our efforts to stay productive and up-to-date.

That sounds good. It might also be good to create a group where one might articulate standards for professionalism and/or ethics in the field, with both junior and senior faculty whom one trusts on board. Not as radical as Occupy Wall Street, but something that articulates, in positive terms, standards regarding the treatment of contingent faculty and the transparency (or at least some communication) in job searches, so that at least there is a document to which one can refer. Something to empower some of us, or at least reduce the likelihood of a ritual hazing for everyone entering the field, as grad students and then junior faculty. Something to at least make for a hope that we won't end up with another generation of traumatized, bitter, stressful, sometimes exploitative Slavists. Some kind of recourse.

x2 for the above post, and I would add something that encourages faculty to consider how they are preparing grad students for the job market throughout the grad program. I keep coming across things in the job search process that make me realize that despite its many other good qualities, my department and my whole academic career thus far failed to prepare me for the job search on many levels--everything from not helping graduate students figure out this whole conference thing, to undermining your confidence in your abilities and authority and then expecting grad students to "act confidently" when being interviewed by faculty. (x1)

to add to the post above: to stressing the importnace of having publications in grad school (and helping your grad students with them).

University of Denver - Lecturer of Russian (1 year, renewable)

 * Submission deadline Mar 15. Here's the ad.
 * Deadline extended to March 30.
 * Why would they do that? I'm not questioning that they did, but is that like saying "we're not interested in any of the applicants so far?" That's so late!
 * Not trying to be discouraging, but I interpreted the extenstion as precisely that: they are unhappy with the candidates they have. But I thought it was because not enough people applied. They did, after all, end up hiring from within for their recent tenure track position. I thought maybe people were not applying as much because of that. Of course, I'm sure they have other reasons to extend the search.
 * They can have any number of reasons (like including spring break in the timeline or someone's research leave or an important project that comes up around mid-March). Life is always more complicated than we know. Don't get discouraged, guys--don't take it (too) personally.


 * Request for phone interview (by phone; 4/3)

Durham University - Professor of Russian and Cultural Theory (3 years)

 * deadline Nov 29

Florida International University - Lecturer/Instructor in German and Russian

 * Review begins Dec 15

University of Georgia - Lecturer in Russian Studies

 * The Department of Germanic & Slavic Studies at the University of Georgia invites applications for a full-time lecturer in Russian studies, beginning August 2012
 * The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate Russian language courses at all levels, courses in culture and/or folklore, and possibly additional courses in her/his area of specialization
 * Duties also involve participation in co- and extra-curricular activities and mentoring of students.
 * The teaching load is 7-8 courses per year
 * Required qualifications
 * ​Ph.D. in Russian/Slavic Studies or a closely related field
 * Proven excellence in teaching
 * Native or near-native fluency in Russian
 * Applicants should send:
 * ​Letter of application
 * Curriculum vitae
 * Statement of teaching philosophy
 * Three letters of recommendation
 * To: Search Committee, Department of Germanic & Slavic Studies, 201 Joseph E. Brown Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
 * Review of applications will begin on April 16, 2012 and continue until the position is filled

Harvard University - Director of the Slavic Language Program

 * Review begins Dec 1
 * Rejection letter received via email (1/24) x2
 * 1/25 - Three candidates invited for campus visits in March (heard through the grapevine)

Indiana (Bloomington) - Senior Position in Slavic Lang & Lit

 * area of specialization open; mid-career scholar sought
 * CV, letter of intent, six letters of rec requested
 * deadline Nov 1

Lafayette College - Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian Studies

 * https://www.h-net.org/jobs/job_display.php?id=43827
 * 1/26 - invitation to campus interview
 * 2/21 - offer made and accepted

Lawrence University - Visiting Assistant Professor/Postdoctoral Fellow

 * Has anyone heard anything back from them about the position? 3/13
 * Nope, not even acknowledgement of receipt of application. Maybe they're waiting until 3/15 to look at all the applications?

McGill University - Assistant Professor of Russian Studies

 * Tenure track position; Russian Romanticism and Realism and one or more of the following areas: Russian media and visual studies, performance, intellectual history, and (cross-) cultural studies.
 * CV, teaching portfolio, writing sample, 3 letters of rec


 * deadline Nov 5
 * Has anyone been contacted? (12/12)
 * not me (12/12) x2
 * still nothing (12/15) x3
 * and more nothing (12/19). Anybody? Anything?
 * nothing here (12/19) x2
 * STILL nothing! (12/29) Help!
 * yeah, nothing here (12/30) x4
 * 1/9: Just called to inquire; was told they're still looking through files -- i.e., either have not interviewed or are not finished interviewing. I believe interviews are to be conducted by phone.
 * request for phone interview next week (contacted by email 1/11)
 * has anyone else heard from McGill? (1/27)
 * I'm the same person as who wrote abt phone interview above: e-mail at end of last week (1/20) saying they were deliberating... But the wiki seems pretty quiet -- if, as someone reported, there were 65 apps for Pitt and only 19 of us claiming to be on the wiki, we're not a very good sample...
 * well, at 1/3 to 1/4 of the potential pool, I think we actually are a pretty good sample. So, I would suspect people are keeping quiet on this one.
 * There is a talk advertised on the dept website that looks suspiciously like a job talk... It's scheduled for Feb 6th.
 * Position offered and accepted (grapevine, 3/12)

McGill University - Faculty Lecturer in Russian Studies

 * Posted on SEELANGS 3/19
 * The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at McGill University invites applications for a Faculty Lecturer position in Russian Studies. Duties include teaching Russian language on all levels, coordination of the language program, and supervision and training of graduate student instructors. Ph.D. in Russian Studies, second language acquisition or a related field preferred, but candidates with M.A. degree will be considered. Extensive teaching experience and excellent teaching record at the university level are required. Familiarity with current approaches to foreign language teaching and instructional technology and participation in the Department's language and culture related activities are expected. Teaching assignment will be 21 credits per year.
 * Initial appointment of Faculty Lecturers is 3 years; appointment is renewable and becomes indefinite after a period of 6 years continuous employment. Start of appointment 1 August 2012. Starting salary is $50,000.
 * Applicants must fill out the Russian Search Application Form. A letter of introduction, cv and teaching portfolio should be submitted electronically via email to[mailto:search.russian@mcgill.ca search.russian@mcgill.ca]. Three letters of recommendation should be sent under separate cover (electronically or hardcopy) to: Professor Karin Bauer, Chair, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, McGill University, 688 Sherbrooke St. West, room 425, Montreal, QC, H3A 3R1. Email:[mailto:search.russian@mcgill.ca search.russian@mcgill.ca].
 * Deadline for the receipt of applications: 19 April 2012.

Middlebury College - Assistant Professor of Russian

 * Tenure track position; 19th century
 * CV, transcript, 3 letters of rec, statement of teaching philosophy
 * deadline Oct. 15 (extended to Oct. 27)
 * Invitation to interview at ASEEES (phone, Nov. 7) (2)
 * Congrats to the interviewees! Can I ask whether you both received the call on Nov. 7? (trying to figure out if there's any chance of getting an invite at this stage, or not). Also, what is your specialization?
 * Does anyone know what their timeline is like? Have candidates already been invited on campus? A: Yes.
 * Any idea how many people are invited to campus? there was a talk about a "short list" and I am wondering how short the "short list" is...
 * a short list is generally 3, sometimes 4 people.
 * Nicely worded rejection letter (by email) 01/03/12 (x2)
 * they have invited people for on-campus interviews (grapevine). Any confirmation of this from someone invited?
 * Not one of the people invited, but confirmation via another section of the grapevine.
 * Position offered and accepted (friend of mine).
 * Congrats!

University of Mississippi Assistant Professor of Russian

 * This was posted on the Chronicle job list a couple of months ago.
 * Has anyone heard anything from Ole Miss about the status of their application?
 * Is there a link to the job ad?
 * When I search the Ole Miss job site the job listing is no longer there, although my application is. That's why I'm wondering what's going on.
 * The job listing went down as soon as they had a sufficient number of applicants.

NYU - Clinical Asst Professor/Director Jordan Center

 * Candidates should submit a cover letter, c.v., and three letters of recommendation.
 * Review of applications will begin on September 6, 2011, pending administrative and budgetary approval but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
 * Submitted application in September - haven't heard anything at all. Has anyone else?
 * Same here - and still not a word.
 * Nicely phrased E-mail rejection [11/7].
 * Yup, me too.

Purdue University - Assistant Professor in Modern Russian Literature & Culture (tenure-track)

 * Review begins Dec 5
 * Confirmed receipt of application Dec 5
 * Phone interview requested for late January (12/16) (x5)
 * How were you contacted?
 * answer to above - by email
 * 3 finalists invited to campus; found out by email from chair, in response to my email query (2/19)
 * offer made and accepted

St. Olaf College - One-year sabbatical replacement position

 * Review begins Feb. 24
 * 3/7 Skype interview.
 * 3/8 Invited for campus visit.
 * 3/17 Offer made.
 * 3/25 Offer accepted.

United States Air Force Academy -Assistant Professor and International Programs Manager

 * Deadline March 23
 * Three year appointment
 * Base salary is $55,929.00
 * Candidate will be responsible for program management of Semester Study Abroad and other international programs. Candidate will also demonstrate the ability to teach at the assistant professor level in a foreign language taught at USAFA (Russian is one).
 * Health benefits, retirement plan, sick leave, paid vacation, travel and relocation expenses paid.
 * Located in Colorado Springs, CO.

University of Ottawa - Assistant Professor in Russian (12 months)
candidates within a week or two."
 * Review begins Dec 15
 * Where was this announced? I can't find the original advertisement for the job.
 * AATSEEL job board
 * On 1/9/2012, received the following update (in response to status inquiry): "The members of the search committee are in the process of reviewing the applications and should have a shortlist of

University of Oxford--Postdoctoral Research Assistant

 * Two-year postdoc research assistantship working on project "A Europeanized Elite in Russia."

University of Pittsburgh - Assistant Professor of Russian

 * Posted on AATSEEL
 * Deadline: Review begins immediately
 * Acknowledgment received: 11/2 (but I imagine these will be sent out on a rolling basis)
 * Interview scheduled for ASEEES (e-mail) -- 11/14
 * Has anyone heard from them since then? Will they be doing more interviews at AATSEEL? (12/19)
 * Grapevine has it that they are interviewing at AATSEEL this weekend. I'm surprised no one on this wiki got an interview! (?)
 * They did! Several during the ASEEES and several more at the AATSEEL.
 * 1/9: Just called to inquire re. status of my application; the nice administrator told me that everyone's still in the running; the dept. still haven't finished deciding who will be interviewed. There's been a total of 65 applications, 40 of them from people specializing in the Silver Age -- the specialization the department is specifically looking for. Rejections will be sent out later this month.
 * 1/9. They did indeed hold interviews at AATSEEL this weekend.
 * The finalizing of the short list for campus visits must be in process now.
 * Any news? -- email today (1/17) said they just finished preliminary interviews. x2
 * Any news? Presumably finalists have been invited on-campus?
 * The on-campus interviews took place in the second half of February, but it seems like the final decision hasn't been made yet.
 * The search was cancelled after on-campus interviews. --- anyone know why?
 * Budget cut?

Ruhr University (Bochum, Germany) - W2 Professor in Russian Culture

 * The Seminar for Slavic Studies/Lotman-Institute at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, has a vacancy starting October 1, 2012 for a W2 professorship in Russian Culture.
 * Scientific and professional CV, certificates, list of publications and teaching experiences by Sept 30, 2011 to The Dean of Philology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitaetsstrasse 150, D 44780 Bochum
 * asked for five most important publications and dissertation to be sent (16.11)

Stony Brook University - Lecturer
Required Qualifications: Ph.D. Experience in teaching large enrollment classes as well as advanced seminars in areas of European Literature and Culture, American Studies, Russian Studies, Classics and Medieval Literature. Native fluency in Russian.

Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of European Culture and Classical studies. Ability to teach topic courses in Russian language, literature and European cultures. Responsibilities & Requirements: Lecturer position in European Languages, Literatures and Cultures courses with a minimum course load of six classes per academic year according to departmental needs. Advisory and administrative interactions with students. Special Notes: '''This is a non-tenure track position. '''FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Internal and external search to occur simultaneously.Anticipated Start Date: Fall 2012. The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation. Application Procedure: Those interested in this position should submit a State employment application, resume and two (2) letters of recommendation (electronic submission in one PDF document is strongly preferred) to: Victoria Judd Search Committee Chair Department of European Languages, Literatures and Cultures Humanities Building, Room 1055 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 11794-5359 Fax#: (631) 632-9612

Trinity College--1 Year VAP
Trinity College offers a one-year position for a Visiting Assistant Professor to teach Russian language and culture. We are looking for a dynamic teacher to teach intermediate and advanced Russian courses. Candidates must also be able to teach courses in Russian literature and culture in translation, which serve our Russian students while also building interest in Russia across the student body. Our Russian program is small and depends upon the enthusiasm and outreach efforts of its faculty. Please send a complete dossier, including cover letter, c.v., graduate school transcript, and three references to:

Katherine Lahti, Chair, Department of Language and Culture Studies,Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106 Applications may also be submitted electronically to: [mailto:Tina.Hyman@trincoll.edu Tina.Hyman@trincoll.edu] Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Trinity College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity in hiring. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities should request in writing any needed accommodations in order to participate more fully in the application process.
 * invitation to campus 3/30

Tufts University - Lecturer in Russian Lang & Lit (1 year)

 * Review begins Jan 10
 * 1/27: Received request for a phone interview (x3; it's a 20 minute phone interview).
 * 2/25: Has anyone been contacted for a campus visit? Yes, two weeks ago.
 * 3/3: Position filled (received rejection email) (x3)
 * 3/5: My rejection email today didn't say the position was filled, just that they had decided to offer it to someone else. Not that it makes any difference to me, but the way it was worded didn't make it sound as if someone had definitively accepted yet.
 * Do you really want to work for a school that seems to only hire lecturers and required BOTH print and electronic versions of materials???

Vassar College - Mellon Postdoc in Russian Studies (2 years)

 * Review begins Dec 26
 * Have people who were interviewed for the 1-year position at Vassar also been interviewed for the Mellon postdoc? Answer: they mentioned both in my interview, so I assumed the same interview counts for both.
 * to the above post: not in my case. they did not mention the postdoc
 * Any news about this postdoc?
 * Offer made and accepted (3/22)

Vassar College - Visiting Asst Prof/Instructor of Russian (1 year)

 * Review begins Dec 15
 * request for an interview at AATSEEL (12/22) x4
 * I was told (via email) that they are still considering cadidates (via one of my references)...I'm not sure if that means post-interview (btw, I didn't get one) candidates or whether they are exploring all options.
 * Haven't heard anything since the interview at AATSEEL. Vassar seems to have the same problem as Holy Cross with the internal candidate. (2/23).
 * Not quite the same thing, really - this is a short-term hire for now. They have an internal candidate, who will most likely get hired for one of the two positions, but both positions are real. They convinced me of this in the interview. They also said that they would choose the short list sometime in February-March. They did not seem to be in a rush (nor do they have to be with this job market!)
 * just heard that they already did on campus interviews

University of Waterloo - Lecturer in Russian

 * Review begins Nov 30
 * Request for on-campus interview for Feb. (12/16)
 * oddly phrased rejection by email (12/23) x3

Wellesley College - Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian

 * Review begins Nov 22
 * confirmed receipt of application. (12/5)
 * Has anyone heard re. interviews, etc.? (12/19)
 * Nothing as of 12/25.
 * Me either.
 * 1/9: Called to inquire. The department is still going through the applications to decide whom to interview. Rejections and interview invitations will be sent out in late January, approximately.
 * 1/9: Email asking to schedule Skype interview later this week. (x2)
 * 1/20 They received 60 applications, interviewed 5, will invite 3 to campus in mid-Feb.
 * 1/21 Invitation to campus interview. x2
 * offer made and accepted

Williams College - Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian

 * Send application letter, c.v., and three letters of recommendation postmarked by Feb. 1, 2012
 * Acknowledgement of receipt of application, Feb 13 by email. "The search committee will begin reviewing applications in February."
 * HRM -- did anyone else not receive an acknowledgement? -- no acknowledgement here. (02/14)
 * I was one of the people who didn't get an acknowledgement on Feb 13, but I did get one today (2.15). (x2)
 * Same as above. Is it not February? (x2)
 * I received a letter on Feb 15th asking to complete an affirmative action form. (x2)
 * rejection (email, 2/24/12). Over 60 applicants. (I think this comment is for Wellesly not Wiliams)
 * oops, you're right. Sorry.
 * received notice that the search was canceled
 * anyone else? no notice here. -- just emailed to double check (noticed that the email stragely stated that the "German search was canceled") and received clarification that the Russian search is ongoing, and that I received the notice of the German cancellation by mistake.
 * it is now no longer February, but March. Any thoughts on the timeline for this?
 * Position offered and accepted (Position offered and accepted (facebook 3/19)