Chair and Professor, Department of Political Science (9-month, Tenure-Track)

Chair and Professor, Department Political Science

(9-month, Tenure Track appointment)

Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for the position of chair of the Department of Political Science at the rank of Professor. The 9-month tenure-track position carries a 1 course-release per semester (normal teaching load is 24 credit-hours per year)  from teaching and will begin August 2025.

Qualified candidates will hold a Ph.D. in Political Science with preference to those in the field of American Politics and Public Policy. Prior university administrative experience is preferred. A commitment to academic excellence and the ability to work effectively with faculty, students and colleagues is expected.  Candidates must show evidence of excellence in teaching, outstanding scholarly potential, commitment to undergraduate teaching, and have an active research agenda. The successful candidate will demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching and research commensurate with the rank of professor in the Department of Political Science at Samford University.

The chair will oversee the department’s mission, curriculum, faculty, and recruitment.  The per semester course release for department chair is given to facilitate the duties and responsibilities of the position. The chair plays a pivotal role in representing the department to the faculty and to the administration of the university.

Including the chair position, the Department of Political Science (https://www.samford.edu/arts-and-sciences/political-science/ ) has 4 full-time faculty positions and over 100 majors. The department offers majors in Political Science; Law, Politics, and Society; International Relations; and Public Administration.

Samford University (www.samford.edu) is a leading nationally ranked Christian University.  Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87^th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.  It is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Homewood, with 425 full-time faculty and more than 5,700 students representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 22 countries. Samford is ranked #10 in the U.S. for the quality of career preparation provided to its students according to a newly published ranking, “The Top U.S. Colleges for Career and Learning-Related Opportunities,” in The Wall Street Journal. The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package. Samford University and Howard College of Arts and Sciences embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community. 

Review of applications will begin August 23 and applications will be accepted until November 30, 2024. Please submit a letter of application, curriculum vita with names and contact information of three references, evidence of teaching effectiveness, description of leadership experience, and research interests and activities. Academic salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.  The successful candidate must pass a background check.  Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position.

Applicants must complete an “Application for Faculty Position” (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf) and the Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission-Statement.docx).

Please submit all materials in a PDF format to: FACAPP@samford.edu  ATTN:  Political Science, Dept. Chair Search

For questions about the position contact Search Committee Chair:  Dr. Doug Clapp, dcclapp@samford.edu

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.