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[drifter]

I am curious as to how one would negotiate a spousal hire in a different discipline.  I teach law and my spouse teaches in a medical field.  Should I ask the department chair to contact the other discipline to inquire into possible openings? Do I contact the other discipline?  If we contact them, how would we approach the issue?

Thank you in advance for your suggestions! 

[castafiore]

I think that you have to tell your chair/dean that you need a position for your spouse. Your chair/dean will then be in charge of figuring out the questions you list above (and the answers to them).

[navelgazer]

Good luck. I unsuccessfully did this for the first time this year. Me, small humanities field, He, large science program. As his adviser later put it (to my husband): "You wouldn't want to work in any department that wouldn't take you as a spousal hire through <small humanities field>." (Not enough resources, good enough graduate students; my spouse would probably rather leave the academy for a industry position.)

How it worked:
I asked
They contacted science program
Science program said no (quickly)

On the other hand, this science department is huge at my new school, does at least one (and usually many) hires a year, and DH has a fighting chance at a regular hire.  (He has a good pedigree, he has research proposal ideas that fit around the current faculty, AND he has research proposals / research experience that would fit into a new institute they've opened.)

[garlic_tooth]

I am curious as to how one would negotiate a spousal hire in a different discipline.  I teach law and my spouse teaches in a medical field. 

From what you say, it is not only that you are in different disciplines, but also different colleges. If you school does not have a clear policy regarding spousal hire, then not only the chairs, but also the deans of the two colleges need to agree. If you do not ask for a TT position for your spouse, it would be much easier - but it still depends on how understanding are the two chairs and deans.

I was in this situation some years ago, but both my chair and the other chair were very unfriendly. So I just left.

[sciencephd]

I am curious as to how one would negotiate a spousal hire in a different discipline.  I teach law and my spouse teaches in a medical field.  Should I ask the department chair to contact the other discipline to inquire into possible openings? Do I contact the other discipline?  If we contact them, how would we approach the issue?

Thank you in advance for your suggestions! 

You would absolutely start with the chair in your department. 

The only direct approach to the other department would be if there is an advertised opening, and your spouse applies for it.

[georgia_guy]

Apply in cities like Atlanta, New York, and others that have several universities. Don't cripple one career for the other, unless you absolutely have to.

Medicine and law are pretty good areas to be looking in.