The University of Iowa Center for the Book (UICB) invites applications for a tenure track faculty position at the rank of assistant or associate professor to start in August 2025. The successful candidate will have expertise in two of the following areas: artist bookwork, bookbinding, digital bookwork, and papermaking.

Major responsibilities of this position include an active creative research practice in relevant areas of expertise; teaching graduate and undergraduate courses; studio oversight; supervision of graduate student workers; advising certificate and MFA students; and serving on MFA thesis committees. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to participate in service to the program, school, college, and university.

Online Application Required Documents:

Curriculum Vita

Letter of interest discussing the candidate’s qualifications

Creative research statement

Teaching statement

Digital portfolio of work - PDF portfolio or PDF with a link to website for time-based media)

Names and contact information of three references (Letters of recommendation will be requested for finalists)

Additional Documents:

Sample syllabi, teaching outlines, assignments, and/or instructional handouts and examples of student work may be required at a later date.

About the University of Iowa Center for the Book:

Housed in the Graduate College, the University of Iowa Center for the Book (UICB) is a stand-alone unit with strong affiliations with the School of Art & History, the Departments of English and History, and the School of Library and Information Science. The UICB is small, dedicated, and collaborative cohort of faculty, staff, artists, and scholars engaged in a rigorous student-centered learning environment. The UICB pursues a distinctive mission, integrating practice in the art of the book with a study of the book in society. With curricula in the arts of letterpress printing, bookbinding and conservation, papermaking, artist book work, digital book design, and lettering arts; in the history and culture of books as a field of study; and in the expressive power of the book form, UICB offers three credentials: a Master of Fine Arts, a Graduate Certificate, and a joint MA/MFA with the School of Library and Information Science. In addition, MA, MFA, and PhD degrees with an emphasis in book studies or book arts may be earned from units including but not limited to: the School of Art & Art History, the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, The School of Library & Information Science, the English Department and the History Department (each in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), the Writer's Workshop, or as a student in the Graduate College Interdisciplinary Program.

The position is open until filled. For first consideration applications must be received by Nov. 1, 2024. Position begins August 20th, 2025.

Screening begins November 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Initial interviews via Zoom will begin in December. We anticipate inviting finalists to campus in early Spring 2025.

About the Graduate College:

The Graduate College manages the enrollment and degree progress for nearly 5,000 students from over 100 graduate programs in 10 different colleges which span the Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Education, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business. The Graduate College is also home to the International Writing Program, the School of Library and Information Science, the School of Planning and Public Affairs, the University of Iowa Center for the Book, and the University of Iowa Press. The Graduate College has a history of innovation, which serves as a strong foundation for our contemporary initiatives in graduate education. The Graduate College serves as an advocate for graduate education, allocates resources that support graduate students and programs, manages policies and procedures to establish and assess graduate programs, and fosters interdisciplinary programs.

About the University and Surrounding Community:

 The University of Iowa (UI) is world- renowned for its commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities. UI has been a member of the Big Ten conference since 1899 and the Association of American Universities since 1909. More than 31,000 students are pursuing bachelor’s, graduate, and professional degrees from UI’s 11 colleges.

UI is located in Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature that is widely recognized as one of the country’s most livable communities. With more than 70,000 residents in the city and over 170,000 residents in the metro area, Iowa City is an attractive haven for scholars, scientists, artists, writers, and professionals of all kinds. Highlights of living in Iowa City include outstanding, affordable health care; excellent libraries and schools; historic neighborhoods; and a lively downtown. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis/St. Paul are a short car or bus trip away, and nearby Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) connects travelers to the world.

The University of Iowa is a founding member of the Central Midwest Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) and is committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse faculty and staff and assisting dual-career couples.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

• An MFA in Book Arts, or a terminal degree in a related field.

• Expertise in at least two of the following areas of the book arts: artist bookwork, bookbinding, digital bookwork (digitally designed and produced publications and artist book work), and papermaking.


• A record of creative research practice through exhibition record, publications, awards, conference presentations (commensurate with rank).


• A record of successful teaching experience in book arts at the collegiate level (commensurate with rank).


• Supervisory experience commensurate with overseeing studio(s) in areas of expertise.


• A record of working successfully with people from an array of backgrounds and fostering community and belonging.


• A record of, or the potential for, securing internal and external funding for research, training, and/or program development (at the rank of associate professor).

• Three or more years teaching at the collegiate level or equivalent experience evidenced by a combination of collegiate teaching coupled with workshop teaching and/or professional experience in the book arts.

(Examples of professional experience include: operating a successful professional studio practice, proprietorship of a books arts studio, taking on apprentices, management/oversight in educational settings, engagement in organizing and facilitating residencies or other artist opportunities, and independent research.)

• Experience or potential with leadership at the departmental level (commensurate with rank).


• Knowledge of letterpress printing, lettering arts, or material analysis.


• Demonstrated knowledge of theoretical and critical discourse, contemporary practice and trends in the book arts.


• Interest in engaging with the national/international book arts community, university constituents, and the greater Iowa arts community.