Assistant Professor, Political Theory

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

The Department of Politics at the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in political theory with expertise in critical theory, including but not limited to: critical race theory, diversity, and identity, feminism, and/or the philosophical and methodological foundations of political inquiry. We are especially interested in candidates with secondary expertise or focus on American politics and whose work speaks to issues linked to the contemporary political moment – including, but not limited to: those of race, gender, sexuality, capitalism, multiculturalism, trans/internationalism, and the environment/climate.

Appointment begins in September 2025. Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in Political Science (required by August 31, 2025). Strong candidates will be thoughtful in their pedagogical approaches, committed to continually improving their teaching, and possess a record of, or potential for, teaching excellence. Successful candidates will possess a record of, or potential for, strong scholarship in their area of specialization. We especially welcome applications from candidates interested in contributing to one of the interdisciplinary programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, such as Black Studies, Peace & Justice Studies, American Studies, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, or Environmental Studies. Experience with, or demonstrable interest in, supervising internships is a plus. The regular teaching load is 3 three-credit courses each semester, with a full semester of pre-tenure research leave available. The salary and the benefits for the position are highly competitive for the New England/Northeast region of the United States.

The department consists of nine faculty. The dynamic curriculum and exciting faculty research agendas in the Politics department represent a range of approaches focusing on questions of democracy, citizenship, and power; and emphasizing theoretical, empirical, historically-grounded, and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of politics. We work closely with our students, preparing them to become thoughtful, well-informed, and engaged leaders in a complex, interdependent world.

Fairfield University is a Jesuit, Catholic institution, with consistent top ranking for its undergraduate teaching excellence with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and ranked among the Best Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States. It is located in the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT, one hour from New York City along Long Island Sound. Our five Colleges and Professional Schools enroll approximately 5,000 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, developing intellectual potential and fostering ethical values in the Jesuit tradition that includes an explicit commitment to social justice and to religious and cultural pluralism. We welcome differences in race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Review of applications begins immediately, to receive fullest consideration all material should be submitted by February 15, 2025.

Please click “Apply Now” and upload the following materials:

• a letter of application briefly summarizing your interest and qualifications for this position
  
  
• a curriculum vitae
  
  
• a statement of teaching philosophy and interests
  
  
• a statement outlining research interests
  
  
• up to 3 representative reprints of scholarly work
  
  
• unofficial graduate transcript
  
  
• three letters of reference
  
  

Letters of recommendation may be sent directly to PoliticsSearch@fairfield.edu

Note: If you have more than 5 documents to upload to your application, please combine them into 5 or less documents. Candidates are encouraged to discuss how they will promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community at Fairfield University in their application materials.

Category:

Academic - Faculty Tenure/Tenure Track

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying. Faculty Positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description. Staff positions : If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu