Assistant Professor, Political Science (Fall 2027)

Position Summary

The Political Science Department at Aquinas College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in American Politics at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning in August 2027 (Fall Semester).

We are seeking a broadly trained educator and scholar dedicated to undergraduate teaching excellence in a liberal arts environment. The standard teaching load is 3-3, offering a balanced schedule with opportunities to design and teach upper-level courses in your specific areas of scholarly interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching & Curriculum: Teach introductory courses in American Politics, as well as upper-level courses on political institutions (the Presidency, Congress), political thought, and research methods.

• Pre-Law & Experiential Learning: Contribute to the department's pre-law offerings (e.g., Constitutional Law, Moot Court) and/or actively develop national-level internship opportunities for students.

• General Education: Contribute to the college's general education program.

• Student Mentorship: Actively engage in undergraduate student advising, mentorship, and departmental programs.

• Service & Collaboration: Work collegially with faculty members across campus and participate in departmental and college-wide committee work.

Qualifications

Required:

• An earned Ph.D. in Political Science or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated, high-quality teaching experience at the college level.

• A strong commitment to, and record of, scholarly contribution to the discipline of Political Science.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively across campus boundaries.

• Enthusiasm for actively advising and mentoring undergraduate students.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application packet. To ensure full consideration, please mail the following materials:

• Letter of Application (including a detailed discussion of your teaching philosophy)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Course evaluations and sample course materials (syllabi, activities, etc.)

• Evidence of scholarly contributions (publications, writing samples, or working papers)

• Official or unofficial graduate transcripts

• At least three (3) letters of recommendation

If you require accessibility assistance or accommodation for a disability when applying for open positions, please call us at 616-632-1072.

Aquinas College, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizing career preparation focused on leadership, service to others, and a lifelong passion for learning. Aquinas offers an inclusive and welcoming environment. Aquinas College is committed to recruiting talented and diverse faculty and staff who are capable of exposing its students to a wide range of cultures and perspectives and whose presence on the campus will enhance the diversity of the community in which the College resides.

Aquinas College has a long-standing commitment to equal opportunity and a work environment that is free of unlawful harassment or discrimination. Aquinas College provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran or active duty military status, familial status, height, weight, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law.