The University of Washington has introduced a new set of standardized faculty job posting guidelines intended to bring greater coherence, clarity, and alignment to searches across the three campuses. The guidelines are designed to support faculty leaders and unit administrators as they draft postings that reflect the University’s academic values, comply with institutional and legal requirements, and offer applicants a clearer understanding of roles and expectations.
A More Consistent Framework for Faculty Hiring
The new guidelines establish a consistent structure that all hiring units must now use when creating faculty job postings. Each of the five posting templates includes required institutional language related to equal opportunity, benefits, privacy, and disability accommodations. These sections are fixed and may not be altered. Areas that require position‑specific details appear in brackets, signaling where units may adjust or expand content.
Guidelines are now available on the Planning a Hire page for five appointment categories:
- Clinical Practice Faculty job posting
- Instructional/Visiting Faculty job posting
- Research Faculty job posting
- Teaching Faculty job posting
- Tenure-track & WOT job posting
Why the University Is Standardizing Job Postings
Standardizing language across job postings addresses varied practices that have emerged over time and helps ensure that hiring processes remain equitable, transparent, and aligned with the Faculty Code. A uniform framework reduces compliance risk, brings clarity for applicants, and allows committees to focus their reviews on qualifications and scholarly or professional contributions. For faculty leaders and administrators, the new structure reduces the need to draft foundational language from scratch and creates a more predictable process.
What Units Need to Do
Download and Use the Correct Guideline
Five guidelines are available on the Planning a Hire page. Units should select the template that corresponds to the faculty track and retain all non‑bracketed language exactly as written.
Prepare the Job Posting
Units may tailor only the bracketed sections of the Position Description and Qualifications. In Application Instructions, only the bracketed items may be modified. Units may not request a separate diversity statement or introduce additional application requirements not included in the guidelines. Any proposal for additional position‑specific language must be tied to job responsibilities and approved by the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty.
Build the Posting in Interfolio Faculty Search
After drafting the posting using the guideline, units should use the updated Create a Position User Guide to enter information into Faculty Search. Before submitting, hiring units should review the summary page to confirm that the posting is complete and compliant. The posting will route through the established approval chain, and units may continue editing during the review process.
Navigating the Updated “Create a Position” Page
A newly organized, tabbed guide now walks users through the steps of creating a posting, from preparation and position definition to routing, review, and publication. The guide outlines what can be customized, what must remain unchanged, and how to ensure that each posting meets institutional requirements.
Current postings will remain visible on the Academic Jobs Board. All new postings and reposts must use the standardized guidelines.
Faculty Hiring Workshop: April 29, 2026
To support units as they implement these changes, the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty will offer Preparing for Faculty Hiring on April 29. The session provides practical strategies for planning searches, assessing applications, conducting interviews, and understanding updated policy and legal considerations.
In‑person: 9–10:30 a.m., HUB 332
Online webinar: 3–4:30 p.m., Zoom
Faculty leaders, search committee members, and hiring administrators are encouraged to register and share the invitation with colleagues.
Please register for your preferred session.
Support and Assistance
APF is available to help units navigate the transition to standardized posting practices. For questions or assistance, contact acadpers@uw.edu.