Assistant or Associate Professor in Political Science

A PhD in Political Science is required. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Political Science by August 1st, 2026

n/a

n/a

The Department of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY seeks to fill a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level with expertise in the field of Comparative Political Behavior, with a preference for a scholar whose research and teaching focus on Democratic Attitudes and Participation across subfield boundaries. This is a 9-month position in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2026.

The first year Distribution of Effort will be 45% Teaching, 45% Research, and 10% Departmental service. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise or clear potential to produce high-quality research, attract extramural funding, employ rigorous quantitative and methodological approaches, and provide effective teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. A PhD in Political Science is required. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Political Science by August 1st, 2026.

Applicants must include the following: 1) Letter of Application (upload as Cover Letter) 2) CV, 3) two publications or writing samples (upload as Writing Sample), 4) Research Statement (upload as Specific Request 2), 5) copy of most recent Transcripts, and 6) Evidence of Teaching Experience, particularly syllabi from courses taught (upload as Specific Request 3). In addition, please provide the names and contact information of three references when prompted in the academic profile. This information will be utilized to solicit recommendation letters from your references within the employment system.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

Questions about this search should be addressed to Dr. Justin Wedeking, Search Committee Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Kentucky (justin.wedeking@uky.edu). Review of applications will begin on October 3, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.