Assistant Professor, U.S. Politics & Political Institutions

Job Description

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a tenure-track position of assistant professor in U.S. politics and political institutions with strengths in one or more of the following: U.S. national and subnational institutions, judicial politics, U.S. and/or state constitutional law, law and courts, civil rights, and related fields. Candidates with additional specializations in historical institutionalism, voting rights, and jurisprudence including critical legal studies are also encouraged to apply. Teaching requirements for this position will be four courses a year, including a selection of undergraduate courses on U.S. political institutions, constitutional law, judicial process, and additional courses within the candidate's specialization. Candidates may also be expected to contribute to advising pre-law students from throughout the University.

How to Apply

Screening of applications will begin September 21, 2026. Please submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Recent writing Sample
• Teaching evaluations or portfolio
• A list of three references (names, address, phone numbers, and email contacts)

Please direct questions to Dr. Nicholas Goedert, Search Committee Chair, Department of Political Science, Major Williams Hall (0130), Blacksburg, VA 24061. Phone: (540) 231-7665, email: ngoedert@vt.edu.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in government or political science at the time of application or degree in hand by hire date, August 2027.
• An active research agenda with strengths in U.S. political institutions including one or more of the fields listed above.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in undergraduate and graduate teaching to meet the department's key teaching needs in its B.A. and M.A. programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to broadly trained candidates who have grounding and skills in a variety of theoretical, analytical, and methodological approaches, and who can work with undergraduate and graduate students at the master's and doctoral levels in political science and related fields.
• Prior teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level is preferred.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience, range $72,000 to $82,000

Hours per week

*

Review Date

September 21, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kim Hedge at khedge@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.