Assistant Professor, PLST & Philosophy

Rice University; Georgia; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research university in Georgia is seeking an assistant professor in political and social philosophy and philosophy of law. The role includes delivering outstanding scholarship, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, and maintaining active scholarly research. Candidates must hold a PhD in Philosophy or a related field. The application deadline is November 1 and requires a cover letter, CV, writing sample, teaching philosophy statement, and three reference letters.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Philosophy or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
• Further qualifications, such as a JD, LLM, LLB, are welcome but not required.
• Experience in teaching courses aligned with research specialties.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding scholarship in political and social philosophy or the history of philosophy.
• Teach courses in philosophy of law, political and social philosophy at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication.

Skills

Political and social philosophy

Philosophy of law

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels

Education

PhD in Philosophy or a related field

Job description

Overview

The Program in Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST) and the Department of Philosophy in the School of Humanities at Rice University seek to appoint a tenure-track assistant professor in political and social philosophy and/or history of philosophy (AoS) and philosophy of law (AoC). A PhD in Philosophy or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Further qualifications, such as a JD, LLM, LLB, are welcome but not required. The start date for the position is July 1, 2026.

PLST is an interdisciplinary program with rapidly growing student numbers. Its faculty from the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences focus on political and legal thought understood in its social and historical contexts. Students also participate in legal and judicial practica, and alumni have established highly successful careers in law, government, public affairs, and the academy. We seek applicants eager to lead and grow PLST in its second decade.

The successful candidate will simultaneously contribute to Rice’s Department of Philosophy, teaching courses in their AoC and AoS. The department offers BA and PhD programs with a particularly strong reputation in ethics and philosophy of mind. The department has close working relationships across the School of Humanities and is involved in interdisciplinary programs, including the Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Medical Humanities.

Responsibilities

We are looking for an assistant professor who will deliver outstanding scholarship in political and social philosophy or the history of philosophy. The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in the philosophy of law, political and social philosophy or the history of philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This position involves teaching for the popular minor in Politics, Law and Social Thought (PLST), which may include a gateway course for the minor, an upper-level core course, and electives aligned with the candidate's research specialties. The minor requirements described on the Rice site are: Politics, Law and Social Thought minor requirements. Rice University has a semester-based teaching schedule with a 2-2 teaching load. The University expects faculty members to maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication and to contribute service to the Department, University, and profession.

Application process and requirements

For full consideration, applications should be received by November 1 (via Interfolio) and must include: a cover letter of 1-2 pages; CV, including a list of publications; a writing sample of approximately 25 double-spaced pages; a statement of teaching philosophy and interests (a complete teaching portfolio, including student evaluations, will be requested from finalists); and three letters of reference. For further information or questions contact the Lead Administrative Specialist at the Office of the Dean, School of Humanities. The contact email is the address provided in the original posting.

About Rice

Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic museum district, on a 300-acre tree-shaded campus adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. Rice has a highly diverse and international student body and a strong faculty culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools, Rice has a student body of around 5,000 undergraduates and a nearly equal number of graduate students. Rice is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report and is ranked No. 1 for race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. The university has a very high level of research activity and a 6:1 student-faculty ratio.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Rice Mission and Values : Rice University Mission and Values