Assistant Professor of Political Science

About the role

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• Job Category: Faculty
• Employment Type: Regular
• Job Profile: Assistant Professor

Job Summary

The Political Science department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks to hire a faculty member at the level of Assistant Professor who will publish original empirical research and teach courses on Chinese politics.

While the minimum teaching load of 12 credits per academic year is set by State statute and UW policy, through a combination of allowable adjustments, the usual teaching load in the Department of Political Science is three courses per academic year (two in one semester and one in the other).

Successful applicants will teach graduate and undergraduate classes, mentor students, conduct scholarly research, and provide service to the department, college, university, and academic community nationally and internationally.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute, support, and advance the college's commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

Key Job Responsibilities

Department: College of Letters and Science - Department of Political Science

Compensation

Negotiable

Required Qualifications

Candidates should have an excellent publication record or a productive research program with strong publishing potential. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate fostering or the ability to foster a teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive.

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science or related disciplines. Ph.D. required by start of appointment.

How to Apply

• Applications must be received through UW-Madison's online application system.
• Applications submitted outside the system will not be considered.
• To begin the application process please click on the '' button.

You will be asked to create a profile and upload the following 5 documents:

• a cover letter
• a C.V.,
• a research statement,
• a teaching and mentoring statement, and
• Two (2) samples of written work (please upload these 2 samples together).

Additional information

Applicants will receive an email requesting the names and contact information for three references; each reference will each receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference. For assured consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on September 15, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring.

Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Contact Information: Nadav Shelef, Chair of the Political Science Department

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.