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[parthenon2]

I am currently a VAP at a place that I very much like, during a truly horrendous job search year.  The position I am holding, offered after a full interview process last year, is to turn into a longer 3-year VAP position, for which the college is doing another full set of interviews.  They told me about the situation last year during the interview, and told me to apply in the fall, which I did.  The position will definitely not be turned into a t-t position at the end of third year, so the attraction is 1

[parthenon2]

hmmm, I'm not sure what happened, but to continue:

1) I like the place, the students, the faculty, everything
2) It's a good place to wait out the horrible market and do publishing
3) There are unique research opportunities here for me that don't exist elsewhere in the US

What I'm wondering is, does accepting this 3-year position disqualify me from being on the t-t market?  If I were to get the position, I would only be interested in applying for exceptional jobs, maybe one or two any given year. (there is one opening in my subfield that has been planned for a while, and I would hate to miss the chance of applying for it)

I very much like the faculty here, and have had a very open working relationship with them.  Though I'd hate to miss an excellent t-t opportunity, I'd also hate to be "sneaky" and force them to do yet a third job search.  Should I ask the search committee this question openly?  In other words, clear a VERY selective search in advance?  Would this be seen as a reason not to hire me, or welcome candor?

[arty_]

They are not worrying about your job search, do not worry about theirs.

It will not besmirch your reputation if you end up getting the three year gig, and then leave in a year for a tt somewhere else.

No, you are not beholden to stay for three years.

[systeme_d_]

Any time a VAP is hired (for a two or three year contract), the department knows full well that the VAP will leave for a TT gig if one is in the offing.

Of course you should remain on the market.  And don't be shy about asking the chair for letters in support of your applications.

[larryc]

What they said--VAPs are expected to be on the market. And when they find a TT job it is a celebration and relief.

[embitteredhistorian]

What they said--VAPs are expected to be on the market. And when they find a TT job it is a celebration and relief.

I'm a VAP. My department has told me they will renew my contract indefinitely, but they have actively encouraged me to look for t-t positions. I've grown incredibly fond of the department as a result--they're the most encouraging group I've encountered in my brief academic career.

[new_bus_prof]

As larryc said, VAPs are expected to be on the market and will leave with a TT job offer. If we want a non-TT teaching responsibility, but with lighter research expectations, we would offer something called a clinical assistant professorship.

[jacaranda_]

OP: ditto what others said about going about your own job search and feeling no obligation to let them know what you're doing.

And not to cast a shadow over all this, but do be prepared for the possibility that they may not hire you for the 3-year position -- so do a FULL search every year until you land that tt-position. 

You can do a search in this forum for threads recounting the multitude of episodes in which a VAP was not only not hired during the next round of hiring, but was treated to shockingly bad behavior from formerly pleasant colleagues.  I speak from experience about this.  The psychological weirdness that can emerge around a supposed "inside" candidate can be deeply unpleasant.

I hope your department takes the humane route, recognizes the contributions you're already making, and decides to keep you on.  But protect yourself and keep your options open.  Good luck with your search.

[clean]

Especially since you are in a small subfield, look now and look often.