Assistant Professor -Linguistics - Signed Language Interpreting
The Department of Linguistics at the University of New Mexico invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Linguistics with a specialization in Signed Language Interpreting and a secondary specialization in ASL Linguistics to begin in August 2026. This is a full-time position. Applicants must have PhD in Linguistics, Signed Language Interpreting, Educational Linguistics, Deaf Education, or a closely related field by date of appointment. For best consideration, all application materials must be received by November 15, 2025.
We seek experienced ASL-English interpreter educators who are pursuing a career in Signed Language Interpreting research that is compatible with our commitment to functional, usage-based approaches to linguistic explanation. Competitive applicants will have additional expertise in ASL Linguistics or other areas that complement the strengths of the Department.
A successful candidate will have a record of or potential for mentoring students and teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Simultaneous Interpreting, Introduction to the Interpreting Profession, and Interpreting Research. They will also be able to supervise graduate students in Linguistics.
UNM is the premier research university in New Mexico, is a Carnegie Highest Research Activity Institution. Our campus is located in the heart of Albuquerque, which has cultural, outdoor and recreational opportunities for everyone. Learn more about our city, our welcoming campus, and research opportunities athttp://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/andhttps://advance.unm.edu/why-unm/. For more information regarding the College of Arts and Science's ambitious hiring plan, including a list of departments that are hiring faculty members with shared interests, please seethis page
Minimum Qualifications:
PhD in Linguistics, Signed Language Interpreting, Educational Linguistics, Deaf Education or a closely related field by date of appointmentPreferred Qualifications:
- Experience teaching ASL/English interpreting courses, including theory and skills courses, and/or American Sign Language courses
- National certification in ASL/English interpreting
- Active research program in signed language interpreting with a secondary specialization in ASL linguistics
- Research, teaching or practical experience with Trilingual or Indigenous interpreting
- Research, teaching or practical experience with tactile or Protactile interpreting
- Documented experience supervising interpreters and/or student interpreters
- Experience or training with Learning Management System(s) (Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), and multimedia course design
- Bicultural; accustomed to interacting in deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities
- Demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities
Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.
Freqently Asked Questions
Holding national certification in ASL-English interpreting notably enhances a candidate's profile for academic roles in Albuquerque, especially at institutions like The University Of New Mexico. Such credentials demonstrate both expertise and commitment to the Deaf community, aligning with regional educational priorities.
Albuquerque’s academic scene shows a growing interest in linguistics subfields like signed language interpreting, but the niche nature of this expertise means fewer openings. Candidates with interdisciplinary skills and research in ASL linguistics enjoy an edge amid moderate local competition.
Excellence in mentoring requires a blend of research acumen in signed language interpreting, pedagogical skills, and experience guiding thesis projects. Familiarity with multimedia teaching tools and cultural sensitivity towards Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities further empowers effective student supervision.
Beyond classroom instruction, opportunities include leading cutting-edge signed language interpreting research, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects, participating in community outreach within Deaf culture, and contributing to curriculum development, all of which enhance academic impact and career trajectory.
UNM emphasizes functional, usage-based linguistic approaches and values candidates who engage deeply with local cultures, including New Mexico’s diverse communities. Faculty are encouraged to integrate research with culturally responsive teaching and contribute to the university’s mission of serving both local and global populations.
At UNM, faculty members benefit from a Carnegie highest research activity environment and a vibrant Albuquerque setting rich in outdoor and cultural offerings. The university’s focus on signed language interpreting and bilingual education offers a specialized academic niche uncommon in many other linguistics departments.
Assistant Professors in linguistics at research-intensive institutions like UNM typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually in Albuquerque. Factors such as research experience, certifications, and teaching record can influence compensation within this competitive academic market.
Absolutely, Albuquerque’s rich multicultural environment and strong Native American and Hispanic communities create unique research prospects in trilingual and indigenous interpreting. These cultural intersections provide fertile ground for innovative linguistic inquiry and community engagement.
Typical duties include delivering undergraduate and graduate courses on ASL interpreting, supervising research projects, developing curricula integrating multimedia tools, and fostering inclusive classroom environments that reflect the linguistic diversity of New Mexico.
UNM actively recruits faculty who demonstrate bicultural fluency and a dedication to serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations through teaching, research, and community collaboration, ensuring that academic efforts align closely with the needs and values of these communities.
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