Assistant Professor in Political Science

Augusta University; Idaho; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution is seeking an Assistant Professor to join its PhD program in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy, starting in August 2026. Candidates should possess a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate excellence in teaching and research. Responsibilities include delivering courses and engaging in active research within the cybersecurity domain. The role comes with comprehensive benefits and a commitment to a student-centered educational environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition waiver

Generous retirement plans

Qualifications

• PhD must be completed by August 1, 2026.
• Proven ability as an effective teacher.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in Intelligence, Defense, Cybersecurity Policy.
• Conduct research in Cyber and Intelligence fields.
• Participate in departmental governance.

Skills

Teaching ability

Research in Cybersecurity

Grant writing

Experience in Intelligence Studies

Education

PhD in Intelligence Studies, Political Science or related field

Job description

Overview

The Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University, is seeking to fill a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor for its PhD program in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy, anticipated to begin August 2026. The selected candidate will be expected to teach courses in this program, as well as our Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS) and to implement an active research agenda in Cyber and Intelligence. Candidates must have a PhD in Intelligence Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, or a related field and a broad concentration in security, national defense, and conflict. Preferred candidates will also have experience or willingness to research and teach intelligence studies, and/or strategic studies, and/or cybersecurity policy, including norms and ethics, as well as Artificial Intelligence. Candidates should demonstrate potential for excellence in research, including writing and securing grants and a strong commitment to teaching, including an interest in online instruction. Please see Augusta University Promotion and Tenure website in the Shift/Salary/Benefits section of this posting.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in the Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy PhD program.
• Teach courses in our Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS).
• Implement an active research agenda in Cyber, Intelligence, and Security Studies.
• Participate in shared governance of department, college, and university as assigned.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Intelligence Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, or a related field (completed and conferred by start of hire, August 1, 2026).

Assistant Professor-Terminal degree (or nearing its completion), or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience.

Required faculty employment qualifications for all USG institutions and all academic ranks within these institutions shall be:

• Consistent with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)’s requirements for institutional accreditation;
• Evidence of ability as a teacher;
• Evidence of activity as a scholar and ability in all other duties assigned;
• Successful experience (which will necessarily be waived for those just entering the academic profession who meet all other requirements); and,
• Desirable personal qualities judged on the basis of personal interview, complete biographical data, and recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established record or demonstrated potential for high-quality, original scholarship that is appropriate to the discipline and shows promise of continuation.
• Ability to teach graduate-level coursework in the Department’s PhD program, especially related to intelligence and cyber-intelligence/policy.
• Research/teaching/experience with intelligence studies.
• Research/teaching/experience with strategic studies.
• Research/teaching/experience with cyber policy, ethics, norms and AI.
• Experience with research methods, data analytics, and/or machine-learning
• Experience teaching in person and online
• Grant writing experience or potential/willingness for grant writing.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

This position is academic year based and typically works August through May, depending on dates outlined in offer letter and yearly contract.

The intended work commitment or full-time equivalent (FTE) for this position is 1.0.

Assistant Professor– Salary and compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and achievements. The salary is subject to availability of funds.

Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, sick leave, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more!

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Rank and salary are determined at the time of hire and are based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, credentials, specialty, training, etc. while also considering internal equity and market data.

Advancement through the faculty ranks at Augusta University is only through the annual Promotion and Tenure process in which faculty may apply if eligible (typically five-year increments). For more information on ranks, please review the Augusta University Promotion and Tenure website.

College/Department Information

The Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences forms the heart of the liberal arts mission of Augusta University. We foster critical thinking about complex questions of the human experience; cultivate skills in written, verbal, and creative expression; promote active citizenship and community engagement; and prepare graduates for a variety of careers in quickly changing globalized environments. Our faculty and staff share a deep commitment to developing the intellectual potential of our students. We offer many undergraduate degrees as well as select graduate and minor programs that allow our students to gain the knowledge and skills that will transfer to career success. Explore opportunities for growth, including undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, and community service.

The Department of Social Sciences is the academic home to over 500 students in undergraduate degree programs in Political Science, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Health, Society, and Policy; Nonprofit Leadership and Administration, and Social Work; MPA and MAISS. Our PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy has over 40 students. Our MA-Intelligence and Security Studies program has over 70 current students.

About Us

Augusta University is Georgia’s innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 10,500 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia’s cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia’s only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values make Augusta University an institution like no other.

Augusta University’s distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state.

All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.

If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.

Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. “Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success.”

Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.