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Historical Surveys of Jobs in the Field

Positions by Listing Type (2010 – 2013)

Since the economic downturn of 2008, numerous studies and articles have offered detailed analyses of the humanities and social science job markets, particularly as decreased funding for many humanities and social science departments have hindered their ability to hire new faculty. How has Jewish Studies fared?

A look at AJS’s positions listings over the past few years offers some insight. AJS’s Positions in Jewish Studies is the most comprehensive guide to jobs in the field. Although not all positions get filled, a look at the numbers over the past few years helps us to understand hiring trends.

Generally, since 2010-2011 (for positions beginning in fall 2011), the total number of positions listed and the total number of tenured or tenure-track positions advertised has remained relatively stable.

The total number of non-tenure-track teaching positions lasting more than one academic year declined dramatically in 2012-2013 (for positions beginning in fall 2013) compared to previous years, while the number of post-doctoral fellowships and one-year teaching appointments has remained stable since 2010-2011.

Total number of positions listed on AJS website

2012–13: 68

2011–12: 76

2010–11: 69

Academic positions listed as tenure-track or tenured

2012–13: 32

2011–12: 30

2010–11: 30

Percentage of academic positions listed as tenure-track or tenured

2012–13: 47%

2011–12: 39%

2010–11: 43%

Academic positions listed as temporary and full-time (lasting at least two academic years)

2012–13: 5

2011–12: 16

2010–11: 14

Other positions listed: post-doctoral fellowships, one-year temporary teaching positions, administrative positions, and positions outside of the university

2012–13: 31

2011–12: 30

2010–11: 25

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings specifically for assistant professors

2012–13: 14

2011–12: 10

2010–11: 16

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings specifically for associate professors

2012–13: 0

2011–12: 1

2010–11: 0

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings specifically for full professors

2012–13: 4

2011–12: 3

2010–11: 3

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings with open rank (assistant, associate, or full professor)

2012–13: 5

2011–12: 4

2010–11: 3

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings specifically for assistant or associate professors

2012–13: 2

2011–12: 4

2010–11: 3

Of the tenure-track/tenured listings, number of listings specifically for associate or full professors

2012–13: 4

2011–12: 5

2010–11: 2

Tenured/tenure-track listings that do not specify rank

2012–13: 3

2011–12: 3

2010–11: 3

Positions by Sub-field

Institutions advertising a position on the AJS website can cross-list it under several subfields (i.e. a department may seek a professor in either Talmud or Jews in Late Antiquity or Bible). Below are the most common sub-field listings for positions advertised in 2012–2013 academic year.

Sub-field listings for 2012–2013 academic year:

Hebrew Language and Literature: 22 listings

Medieval History: 18 listings

Modern Jewish Thought: 18 listings 

Modern European History and Modern American History: 17 and 14 listings respectably

Jews in Antiquity and Talmud: 15 and 13 listings respectively

Israel Studies: 15 listings

Holocaust: 11 listings


Historical Surveys of Jobs in the Field (2013 – 2015)