Assistant Professor - Civics Education - Berkeley School of Education

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley's School of Education invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in Civics Education with a focus on civic learning and democratic engagement. We welcome candidates from education and related disciplines.

Candidates should have a strong record of research, publications, and teaching or mentoring with undergraduate and graduate students. Preference for work centered on K-12 classrooms and youth civic development; expertise in digital

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. required at time of application.
• Experience in civics education with undergraduate and graduate students.
• Research, publication, and teaching/mentoring in Civics Education.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and publish in civics education.
• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Develop courses and engage in civic learning and digital citizenship.

Skills

Research

Teaching

Mentoring

Civics Education

Interdisciplinary

Education

Ph.D. or Ed.D. in relevant field

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Assistant Professor

Salary range: The current salary range for this position is $84,100 - $132,900 (9-month academic year salary), however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions.

Anticipated start: July 1, 2027

Application Window

Open date: September 29, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

The Berkeley School of Education invites applications for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level in the area of Civics Education, with a focus on civic learning and democratic engagement. We welcome applicants from education as well as a range of connected disciplinary and interdisciplinary spaces, including but not limited to political science, public policy, history, ethnic studies, and data science. The candidate should have research, publication, and teaching and/or mentoring experience in Civics Education with undergraduate and graduate students appropriate to rank. Preference will be given to scholars whose work centers K-12 classrooms and youth civic development.

The applicant's research focus should explore the teaching and learning of civics and advancing learning theory to address the challenges and possibilities of public democratic life. Across the United States and globally, young people express deep concern about polarization, misinformation, civic exclusion, and the fragility of democratic institutions. We seek a scholar whose research program explores Civics Education in ways that respond to these realities and who designs innovations that help educators meet the needs, interests, and aspirations of students. Given the increasing importance of digital citizenship, information literacy, and the civic implications of technology, we would expect the candidate to have some expertise in these areas.

About UC Berkeley School of Education

In the Berkeley School of Education, we educate like democracy depends on it- because it does. In a fast-changing, polarized world where inequalities and existential threats multiply, education remains an essential lynchpin for fostering human potential, achieving generational progress, and nurturing civic engagement. Together our research, teaching, and practice supports a vision of public education that has as its goal equity and inclusion at all levels - classroom, school, community, district, state, nation, and globe. Our students arrive with exceptional academic talent and professional experience, driven to make a meaningful impact as researchers, educators, leaders, and innovators. Together, faculty and students engage with pressing questions, from how children, youth, and adults learn across varied contexts, to how schools, communities, and societies can expand opportunities and advance educational equity. Through effective and equity-informed education, the BSE helps people and communities learn to dialogue across difference, use critical thinking to make informed decisions, and advance both individual achievement and progress for the benefit of society. As a world leader in public education, guided by a commitment to excellence in scholarship, teaching, innovation, and leadership, our professional and academic programs help prepare the next generation of educators, leaders, scholars, and policymakers, while contributing to transformative knowledge creation and the public good.

UC Berkeley values the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples, single parents, or those who may have taken time off for family reasons. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit the Office for Faculty Equity and Welfare's website.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. or Ed.D. (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in Ph.D. or Ed.D. or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application.

Preferred qualifications

A Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree (or equivalent international degree).

We seek a scholar who aligns with BSE and campus priorities, including commitments to educational equity, democratic flourishing, and the success of each learner. The ideal candidate will conduct research and offer courses that broaden our graduate and undergraduate offerings, including courses in our K-12 teacher preparation and leadership programs.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Teaching and Mentoring Statement - Please discuss prior teaching experience, teaching approach, and future teaching interests. This can include, for example, specific efforts and accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Please also discuss your mentoring experiences and approach. This can include, for example, past efforts and future plans to support the success of all students, and to foster an inclusive research environment that removes barriers and promotes equitable access and advancement of the research program.
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.
• Authorization to Release Information Form - An institutional reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form.
• Publications (1 of 2) - Published or unpublished manuscript to be submitted; may include a dissertation chapter.
• Publications (2 of 2) - Published or unpublished manuscript to be submitted; may include a dissertation chapter.
• Service Statement - Please discuss specific prior and proposed academic, professional and/or public service activities. This can include, for example, participating in professional or scientific associations, serving on committees that advance department, campus or discipline goals, and conducting outreach activities that can remove barriers and increase participation of academics in your field.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

We will only contact your references to request letters if you are advanced to the second round of review for the position.

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affi…

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affi…

More information is available on this website.

Job location

Berkeley, CA