A Director is sought for the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at New York University. Launched in 2007, ISAW is a center for advanced research and doctoral training designed to cultivate investigation of the ancient world as a connected whole and thus to encourage efforts that reach across boundaries of disciplines and domains, including geographical and chronological dimensions. The new Director must lead the Institute into a decisive role in the worldwide study of antiquity with effective advocacy for the integrative approaches defined by ISAW’s founding vision. As an active member of the faculty, the Director must combine administrative ability with international scholarly stature and a demonstrable interest in work that transcends such disciplines and domains. Candidates may be either senior or mid-career scholars in any fields relating to study of the ancient world.

This will be the Institute’s second Director, after a start-up phase that has established a Faculty, a program of Visiting Research Scholars, a doctoral program, and regular exhibitions. The Director will be expected to build upon ISAW’s international standing and influence in the study of antiquity, and one crucial component in coming years will be the placement of doctoral students in academic positions and the development of these ISAW scholars into leaders in their various areas of study. The Director will need both to work productively with existing people and structures, and to consider how to move toward these long-term goals with creative energy and a clear sense of direction. ISAW depends for its vision on extensive collaboration at many levels within the university, in New York City and the region, and in networks of scholars around the world, and the Director must continue to strengthen these connections.

The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World is a discrete entity within New York University, with its own faculty. Its Director reports directly to the President and Provost of the university and will work closely with the Institute's future Board of Trustees.

Application review begins September 2015.