Director of the IEAA and Professor

The University of Memphis invites applications for Director of the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology (IEAA), to be appointed at the rank of Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate (tenured) professor commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

This full-time position is funded by the Department of Art and Design and the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology, a Tennessee Center of Excellence. The position reports directly to the Chair of the Department of Art and Design and will work collaboratively with other full-time faculty in both Art History and History, including the curator of the University of Memphis’s collection of Egyptian artifacts. 

Founded in 1984, the IEAA is a component of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, Department of Art and Design. The IEAA is dedicated to the study of the art and culture of ancient Egypt through teaching, research, exhibition, and community education. The IEAA also supports the fieldwork of faculty and students who participate in excavations and/or epigraphic projects in Egypt. 

Review of application materials will begin on January 1, 2027.

Vision and Direction

• Develop a clear vision for the future direction of the IEAA, including Institute-sponsored events and activities, external institutional fundraising, and coordination with other Egyptological institutes and organizations at the local, national, and international levels.
• Organize exhibitions, lectures, and programs that engage audiences, fostering partnerships with academic institutions and community organizations, as well as Memphis’ many and various stakeholders.
• Cultivate proactive strategies for the expansion of the Institute’s programs.
• Oversee the operating budget for the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology, including coordination with other Egyptology faculty and students on the allocation of funds.
• Coordinate with the Curator of the University of Memphis’ collection of Egyptian antiquities, including collections research, exhibition planning and management, website maintenance, and cooperation with lending institutions.
• Work with University Advancement to develop outside support for the Institute’s mission.

Teaching and Advisement

• Teach a 1/2 course load, with courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Oversee the M.A. concentration in Egyptian Art and Archaeology; advising graduate students through the program.
• Serve on M.A. and Ph.D. committees in the Department of Art and Design and the Department of History.

Professional Activity

• Maintain an active research and publication agenda within the candidate’s area(s) of expertise.
• Strengthen and maintain the national and international profile of the IEAA through coordination with outside scholars, attendance and participation at professional conferences, and development of public programs in collaboration with the Institute’s faculty in Egyptology.

• A Ph.D. in Egyptology or a closely related field is required. 
• As Director of the IEAA, the successful candidate should be familiar with new and emerging trends in research within Egyptology and have competence in Middle Egyptian. 
• The successful candidate should possess experience teaching at the university level, mentoring and advising students, and applying for grants or other sources of external funding. 
• 3 years of prior administrative or institutional fundraising experience is strongly preferred.
• Assistant (tenure-track) with less than 5 years of experience in the field 
• Associate (tenured) professor if tenure has been achieved at another institution.

Application Materials

Applications will only be accepted through the University’s portal at https://workforum.memphis.edu. Candidates must upload PDFs of all the following:

1. Cover Letter (2 pages maximum)
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Statement describing teaching philosophy and vision for the IEAA, a research center at a public institution with a mandate for fundraising and community engagement (3 pages maximum; upload under “Teaching Philosophy”)
4. Email addresses of three professional references
    

Review of application materials will begin on January 1, 2027.

Institution and Setting

The Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology is a Tennessee Center of Excellence devoted to the study of the art and culture of ancient Egypt through teaching, research, exhibition, and community education. It is housed within the Department of Art and Design at the University of Memphis, in Memphis, Tennessee (USA).

The University of Memphis is a research institution in the urban south situated in a city well known for a uniquely rich cultural legacy in the arts. The Department of Art and Design is housed within the College of Communication and Fine Arts along with the Departments of Architecture, Theatre and Dance, the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, the School of Communication and Media, the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM), and the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology (IEAA). United by a shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and innovation, the College fosters an environment where students and faculty explore new ideas, challenge conventions, and shape the cultural landscape.

The Department of Art and Design offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts degrees in various fine arts, art history, and art education
concentrations. The Department of Art & Design works closely with the Art Museum of The University of Memphis, which offers a Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies. With approximately 400 majors, 21 full-time faculty, and dedicated staff, the Department of Art and Design combines personal mentorship with the energy of an urban serving university. Further information can be found here: https://www.memphis.edu/artanddesign/ and https://www.memphis.edu/ccfa/.