Assistant Professor of Public Administration

University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Public and International Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration to begin August 2027. The successful candidate will contribute to the new B.S.

in Public Policy and Administration and teach in the MPA and online Executive MPA programs. The position requires an active research program, a 2-3 teaching load, and the ability to teach core classes in PPA and MPA, with

Qualifications

• PhD required or ABD considered; if PhD not confirmed by Aug 1, 2027, appointment will be at the rank of Lecturer for the first academic year and PhD must be confirmed by July 1, 2028 for continued employment.
• Ability to teach at least one core class in the B.S. in Public Policy and Administration (PPA)
• Ability to teach at least one core class in the MPA Program
• Ability to contribute to the concentrations in Public Management, Public Policy Analysis, or Urban and Regional Policy and planning
• Ability to deliver course material both face-to-face and asynchronously online

Responsibilities

• Teach primarily in the PPA and MPA programs, with occasional contributions to undergraduate programs depending on qualifications
• Maintain an active research program for tenure-track progression
• Contribute to the B.S. in PPA and MPA concentrations and related graduate programs
• Deliver course material in both face-to-face and online formats

Skills

Public Admin

Research

Teaching

Curriculum design

Education

PhD in Public Administration, Public Affairs, Public Policy

Job description

Assistant Professor of Public Administration

College: College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and TheArts - 321 College

Dept/School: Public & International Affairs -32421

Vacancy Number: 16F-808

Position Number: 708

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for an tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration to begin August 2027. The successful candidate will play a role in our new B.S. in Public Policy and Administration (PPA) while contributing courses to our Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program and our online Executive MPA program. The position requires an active research program and carries a 2-3 teaching load. The successful candidate will teach primarily in the PPA and MPA programs but may occasionally contribute to PIA's undergraduate program in Political Science, M.S. in Coastal and Ocean Policy, or M.A. in Conflict Management Resolution depending on their qualifications.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• PhD in Public Administration, Public Affairs, Public Policy, or a closely related field
  • Please note: ABD applicants will be considered; however, if PhD is not confirmed by August 1, 2027, appointment will be at the rank of Lecturer for the first academic year of employment and PhD must be confirmed by July 1, 2028 for eligibility of continued employment. In addition, one of the references included in application must be dissertation chair.
• Ability to teach at least one core class in the B.S. in Public Policy and Administration (PPA)
• Ability to teach at least one core class in the MPA Program
• Ability to contribute to the concentrations in Public Management, Public Policy Analysis, or Urban and Regional Policy and planning
• Ability to deliver course material both face-to-face and asynchronously online

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Ability to contribute multiple courses to the B.S. in PPA
• Ability to teach multiple MPA core and elective courses and/or contribute to one of the MPA concentrations in Public Management, Public Policy Analysis, or Urban and Regional Policy and planning
• Experience with publishing and presenting research
• Prior professional work experience in the public or nonprofit sector
• Prior teaching experience with both face-to-face and asynchronously online courses

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Department of Public & International Affairs is comprised of 18 faculty and is home to a new B.S. in Public Policy and Administration (PPA) as well as a B.A. in Political Science (PLS) and a series of professional masters programs - Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program, Executive MPA Program (online), a dual M.S. in Environmental Science/MPA Degree, M.S. in Coastal and Ocean Policy (MCOP), and a M.A. and graduate certificate in Conflict Management and Resolution. Additional information about the PIA department and the MPA program can be found at https://uncw.edu/academics/colleges/chssa/departments/public-affairs/, https://uncw.edu/academics/majors-programs/chssa/public-administration-mpa/, and https://uncw.edu/academics/majors-programs/chssa/public-administration-executive-mpa/.

College/School Information

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is home to 14 academic departments and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in Spanish and English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service, professional advising for all CHSSA undergraduate students. In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of interdisciplinary minors and postgraduate certificates including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies, classical studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency and disaster management, forensic science, Hispanic studies, journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing and publishing, science and medical writing, and women's, gender, and sexuality studies. The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that comprises UNCW's University Studies Program, through which all undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The CHSSA strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level. Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the CHSSA's departments requires an applied learning experience as part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty‑directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real‑world or real disciplinary situations. Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research and service while also making a positive societal impact. Come and join our vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world‑class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking. A public institution with more than 20,500 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive MBA program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "DoctoralUniversities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on the posting closing date.

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application that includes a 2-3 page statement describing research interests, teaching experience, ability to address the preferred teaching qualifications, professional experience, and other interest in the position addressed to Dr. Richard Clerkin, Search Committee Chair.
• Curriculum Vitae

Additional materials may be requested from applicants invited to interview for the position.

Please note that a minimum of three references is required for all applications. The reference contact information you provide may be used to request reference letters during the screening process. If ABD at time of application, one of the references included in application must be Dissertation Chair.

Letters of application without the requested components will not meet the application requirements.

Questions about the position or the online application process should be directed to CHSSA Recruitment Specialist Jennifer Itell @ [e-mail].

Position Type

Permanent

Job Posting Date

10/13/2026

Job Close Date

01/04/2027

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutory established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.