Transylvania University

Transylvania University (www.transy.edu), a top-tier, independent, residential liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Political Science with expertise in American Politics and Public Law. This is a tenure-track position, teaching in-person classes, beginning August 29, 2025. Transylvania University recognizes that a diverse and inclusive community is essential to the fulfillment of our mission as a liberal arts institution. To that end, we seek to attract a diverse faculty skilled in the scholarship of teaching, research, and mentorship of students from a variety of backgrounds. Candidates are encouraged, in their cover letter, to identify their strengths and experiences in creating an inclusive academic community.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will specialize in the field of American Politics with expertise in Public Law and will instruct core courses in the major, including Introduction to U.S. Politics and our research methods course, Political Analysis, and specialized courses emphasizing the role and practice of law, legal theory, and/or judicial politics. Candidates with the ability to teach courses that contribute to our university’s interdisciplinary programs in Africana Studies and/or Women, Gender, and Sexuality (WGS) studies will receive special consideration. Occasional contributions to First-Year programing and service as an academic adviser are also expected. The teaching load consists of three courses per semester, plus one short-term course in May (3-3-1) that offers additional opportunities for travel courses, team-taught courses and other more experimental classroom endeavors. Other responsibilities include academic scholarship/professional activity, preferably involving undergraduate students, and service to the university through various committee appointments. The university also has an excellent faculty development program that competitively funds faculty (and student) scholarly research.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in Political Science is required by the start date. Preference will be given to candidates with undergraduate teaching experience. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to continuing their own professional work along with a commitment to teaching, interdisciplinary dialogue, and working collaboratively with other faculty and with students both within the Political Science Program and across disciplines within a liberal arts environment. The ideal applicant is committed to attracting, teaching, and mentoring students from historically excluded and underrepresented groups.

To begin the application process, please submit one PDF that contains all of the following: your curriculum vitae, your unofficial graduate transcripts, and a statement of teaching philosophy. Candidates are encouraged in their cover letter to identify their strengths and experiences in creating an inclusive academic community. If you are selected to move forward in the application process, you will be asked to provide official graduate transcripts and letters of recommendation at a later date. Please send questions specific to this search to Professor Steve Hess, at shess@transy.edu. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2024 and will continue until an appointment is made.

Transylvania University is ranked in the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges by the Princeton Review, which cites its community-driven, personalized approach to a liberal arts education through 49 majors and 39 minors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country, with approximately 1,000 students.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community. In support of this goal, we seek qualified candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We embrace diversity and encourage all who are interested to apply.