Assistant Professor of Political Science (Comparative Politics)

The Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities invites applications for a full-time faculty position in Comparative Politics beginning fall semester 2023 (08/28/23). We seek outstanding colleagues committed to scholarly research and teaching at the highest level, and we especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

We welcome applications from scholars working in all areas of comparative politics. The search is open with respect to thematic issues and geographic coverage. We have particular needs in the politics of China, Europe, and the Middle East, and in the politics of migration and the environment. In addition, we seek candidates who will advance the department’s strategic initiative to explore “democracy under threat,” which guides hiring, research, and teaching. We are especially interested in scholars who explore the nature and forms of contemporary threats to democracy and the political, economic, and socio-cultural sources of crises of democratic legitimacy and weakened democratic institutions and governance.

The appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year (late August to late May), and will be made at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor, consistent with collegiate and university policy. Salary is competitive, and dependent on qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. in political science or related field is required. Advanced ABDs may be considered for appointment at the rank of tenure-track instructor, with the stipulation that the Ph.D. is conferred in the first year of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:
College/university-level teaching experience is preferred.

Candidates will be evaluated according to (a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly work, (b) contribution of their scholarly research to the department’s academic priorities and fields of inquiry, (c) evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, and (d) strength of recommendations.

Duties / Responsibilities:

Faculty in the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active research program, teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Political Science are available at https://faculty.umn.edu/review-recognition/tenure-review/approved-712-statements

For information on faculty workload guidelines and principles in the College of Liberal Arts, visit: https://neighborhood.cla.umn.edu/college-knowledge/workload-principles-and-guidelines

Application Instructions:

The priority application deadline for the position is September 25, 2022.  However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Apply online through the University of Minnesota’s Job Center:

https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-Job

• Job Opening ID: 351091
• Job Posting Title: Assistant Professor of Political Science (Comparative Politics)
• Job Code: 9403
• Jobs Posted Within: Last Three Months (or greater)
• Keyword(s): Political Science

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position, and attach a cover letter and C.V. Additional documents must be attached to your “My Job Applications” page, by uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

The following required materials must be attached to your online application:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Writing sample (in the candidate’s central area of research)
4. Brief statement of research interests
5. Brief statement of teaching philosophy and interests

Additional materials may be requested from candidates at a future date.

In addition to the electronically submitted materials, applicants are asked to arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the department.

The letters of recommendation may be emailed to psearch@umn.edu, or mailed to:

Comparative Politics Search Committee

Attn: Alexis Cuttance

Department of Political Science

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

267 19th Avenue South, Room 1414

Minneapolis, MN 55455

For questions about the position, please contact the Department of Political Science, at psearch@umn.edu or (612) 624-4144.

For questions about the application process, or to request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: all employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

About the Department / College / University:

The Department of Political Science is committed to excellence in graduate and undergraduate education and to the conduct of leading social science research. The department serves 30 faculty in five subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Methods), approximately 50 Ph.D. students, 500 undergraduate majors, and 100 undergraduate minors. For further information, please visit the department website, https://cla.umn.edu/polisci

Established in 1868, the College of Liberal Arts supports the University of Minnesota’s land-grant mission as home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs. CLA comprises 31 academic departments, over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative / support units, and has over 1,200 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over 20 buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus, enrolls nearly 14,000 undergraduate students (half of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus), and over 1,600 graduate students. CLA is committed to intellectual freedom, the pursuit of new knowledge, and the belief that the liberal arts are the foundation of academic learning. CLA prepares students to be independent and original thinkers, innovators in their chosen fields; to create meaning in their lives and in their life’s work; and to become productive citizens and leaders in their communities and the world.

CLA values diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives as key to innovation and excellent education. CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints – so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA: https://cla.umn.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion-cla

Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota, with its five campuses and more than 65,000 students, is one of the largest, most comprehensive universities in the United States, and ranks among the most prestigious research universities in the world. It is both a major research institution, with scholars of national and international reputation, and a state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public engagement.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

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