Assistant Professor of Political Science

Illinois Wesleyan University; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL invites applications for the tenure-track Assistant Professor of Political Science to begin August 15, 2027. The successful candidate will teach six courses per year, advise students, pursue scholarly work, and engage in service at the departmental and university levels.

Preference will be given to candidates specializing in comparative/international politics with area expertise in European or Asian politics and/or U.S. foreign policy instruction.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science (or related field) or near completion.
• Strong commitment to undergraduate education.
• Preference for prior university teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Six-course teaching load per year.
• Academic advising in the discipline.
• Scholarly (or artistic) achievement.
• Departmental and University service.

Skills

Graduate teaching

Comparative politics

International politics

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science

Job description

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Overview: Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Political Science (Tenure Track). We seek candidates with a specialization in comparative or international politics, with a preference for candidates who have area expertise in European or Asian politics, analytical expertise in political institutions (international or domestic), and/or the ability to teach U.S. foreign policy. The start date for this position is August 15, 2027.

About the Tenure Track

At Illinois Wesleyan, Tenure Track faculty engage students through six teaching assignments each year, pursue productive scholarly or artistic work, serve as academic advisors, and engage in departmental and campus-wide service. After receiving feedback on formative reviews in the second, third, and fourth years of employment, a case for tenure and promotion is submitted in the fall of the sixth year.

Tenure track faculty are eligible for sabbatical following six complete academic years of full-time service and every seven years thereafter. Additional professional development opportunities include the possibility of start-up funds, the potential for junior faculty leave, and support for the development of external grants. The Thorpe Center for Curricular and Faculty Development supports faculty in their teaching and scholarly or artistic work including peer-to-peer mentoring, workshops, internal grants, and assistance with instructional design and technology.

About IWU

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with highly selective admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are located in Bloomington, IL, a metro area of 190,000 people, which is about a two or three hour drive from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
We are strongly committed to fostering an environment that values varied perspectives and backgrounds.

Responsibilities of Tenure-Track Faculty

• 6-course teaching load per year
• Academic advising in the discipline
• Scholarly (or artistic) achievement
• Departmental and University service

Qualifications

The successful candidate should hold a Ph.D degree in Political Science (or related field), or be in the final stages of completing one. A strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate education is required. Preference will be given to candidates with prior teaching experience at the university level.

Questions may be directed to: William Munro, Professor and Chair of Political Science ([e-mail])

Compensation and Benefits

• Nine-month appointment
• Salary Range: $62-65K, and based on experience
• The final candidate will pass a pre-employment background investigation.
• An overview of IWU benefits can be found here.
• Illinois Wesleyan University may offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a community that values a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds among our outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to contributing to and enhancing our community in these areas. Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting excellence through a variety of viewpoints; details at https://www.iwu.edu/about/non-discrimination.html.