Assistant Professor, Applied Linguistics in Multilingual Workplaces

The Department of Second Language Studies seeks to hire a scholar who conducts research on multilingualism in professional/vocational/employment contexts. The person filling this vital role will contribute to the scholarly mission of the department through research, teaching, and service focused on how languages are used in workplaces and institutions outside of formal education and how people are prepared for a multilingual workforce. Ideal candidates will have (a) a background in sociolinguistics, language for specific or vocational purposes, forensic linguistics, or language policy and (b) interest in networking with local services, such as the state Office of Language Access or court interpreter services, in order to build capacity for language access for all residents of the state. 

The department is committed to serving the educational and social needs of the highly diverse and multilingual State of Hawai‘i as well as to being a world leader in the study of second, foreign, and heritage language learning, teaching, use, and analysis. The Department of Second Language Studies offers a BA, an MA and a PhD in Second Language Studies as well as an Advanced Graduate Certificate. The University of Hawai‘i is a Carnegie very high research activity university with a strong orientation to the Asia-Pacific region. The University supports interdisciplinary initiatives within and across departments and colleges and places high value on extramural funding. It also values research that addresses locally-relevant issues and local populations in Hawai‘i. 

Our campus welcomes all students but given our responsibilities to the community in which we operate, as part of our strategic mission, we strive to become a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, a place that is committed to integrating Native Hawaiian language, culture and/or values into its academic and campus environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including in the area of applied linguistics in multilingual workplaces and professional settings, based on the needs of the department;
2. Advise undergraduate and graduate students; 
3. Serve on graduate committees;
4. Maintain an active agenda of scholarly research and publication;
5. Pursue opportunities for external funding;
6. Actively engage with ongoing and new campus and community initiatives, including university-community partnerships, that promote and study the development of a multilingual workforce for Hawaiʻi;
7. Participate in Second Language Studies program-building and other service work for the department, college, university, and broader communities;
8. Work collaboratively and collegially with diverse groups of students and faculty;
9. Other duties as assigned by the Chair.

Minimum Qualifications

1. PhD or equivalent degree in second language studies, applied linguistics, or a closely related field from a college or university of recognized standing; ABDs will be considered, but all requirements for doctoral degree must be completed by August 2027.    
2. Demonstrated expertise in applied linguistics research in multilingual workplaces and professional contexts, as evidenced by publications or other scholarly contributions;    
3. Demonstrated success in teaching;
4. Ability to develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels;    
5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with diverse populations of students, faculty, staff and administrators. 

Desirable Qualifications

1. Experience working with partners outside of academic settings on language-related topics (e.g., policy advising, community partnerships, language access or social service organizations, on-site field research) 
2. Familiarity with Hawaiʻi’s multilingual and multicultural context.
3. Experience with  internship program development, coordination, or supervision.
4. Ability to communicate scholarship beyond academia (e.g., in new media, blogs, etc.).
5. In addition to English, proficiency in one or more languages of contemporary relevance in the state of Hawaiʻi.
6. Expertise in one or more other areas that will broaden or enhance the strengths of our second language studies community, including but not limited to: sociolinguistics, linguistic discrimination, language policy, language for specific purposes (such as in law, tourism, business, or health professions), forensic linguistics, research methods (qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-methods), community organizing.
7. Demonstrated excellence in teaching, training, and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students.
8. Record of and/or demonstrated commitment to securing external funding.

Review of applications will begin November 9, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. 

For more information and to apply, follow this link:  https://go.hawaii.edu/RuF