Assistant Professor of American Political Institutions

James Madison College (at Michigan State University) seeks to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in American Political Institutions.  This position anchors the Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy (PTCD) field’s emphasis on the institutions, history, and contemporary debates surrounding constitutional democracy in the United States.

We seek a teacher-scholar with an historical and theoretical grounding in the study of American political institutions (Presidency, Supreme Court, Congress) and American political thought, equipped to speak to contemporary challenges posed to these institutions and their legacy.  Successful candidates will have demonstrated ability or promise to teach core courses in US political institutions (Presidency, Supreme Court, Congress), American politics,as well as political theory, with preference for candidates who can teach elective courses cross-listed between PTCD and Social Relation and Policy.  Applicants should demonstrate commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching in an interdisciplinary setting; to achieving a substantial record of scholarship; and to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in a residential college setting. 

Research areas of particular interest include but are not limited to issues in or challenges to American political institutions related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and gender identity, class, or other inequalities; questions of representation, polarization, voting rights, criminal justice reform, public health, indigenous rights, federalism, local and municipal politics. A Ph.D. in a related field (including but not limited to: Political Science, Law, History,  American Studies, Race, Ethnic, or Gender Studies) is required by time of appointment.  The college is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Applicants should supply a statement addressing how their teaching and research interests would contribute to James Madison College’s curriculum and mission. Supporting materials should include a CV, transcript, diversity statement, evidence of teaching approach and effectiveness, sample syllabi, and a sample of scholarship (e.g., article, dissertation chapter, conference paper). The names and contact information of three confidential references that speak to teaching expertise and scholarly promise must be provided as part of the application process. MSU will contact these references with instructions for the references on how to upload their confidential letter into MSU’s application system. 

The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://links.dc4.pageuppeople.com/ss/c/eCRS7RdE99xsjV5gdzp4cWu6wvxpBFjTf2vToOhn5AUaa4g-OCDIOsQSAHSJ5VXg/3hg/77RYHyV7RX-NxLJ96mKsLw/h3/4eJXTHo6i5le2hC0ACZJgGmb6A6MLUNrTU-Vjoin3dk__;!!HXCxUKc!lgyiERPZzCMcVYIMtAAzH2hfV1khSiTNnLP2rIqDSfeorDVyoYSNJBwcrgoWeWk$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://links.dc4.pageuppeople.com/ss/c/eCRS7RdE99xsjV5gdzp4cWu6wvxpBFjTf2vToOhn5AUaa4g-OCDIOsQSAHSJ5VXg/3hg/77RYHyV7RX-NxLJ96mKsLw/h3/4eJXTHo6i5le2hC0ACZJgGmb6A6MLUNrTU-Vjoin3dk__;!!HXCxUKc!lgyiERPZzCMcVYIMtAAzH2hfV1khSiTNnLP2rIqDSfeorDVyoYSNJBwcrgoWeWk$" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://msu.edu/together-we-will/

Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources web site: https://careers.msu.edu. Please see posting number 750583 for complete instructions on how to apply. Review of applications will begin on January 17th, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled. Please contact Katie Dyjach (dyjachk@msu.edu) with any questions. 

MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. 

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg–Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.