Assistant Professor of Political Science (American Politics), Fall 2026

Description

The Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a tenure-track position as an assistant professor beginning on August 1, 2026, in American Politics. We are looking for applicants who will teach courses and conduct research primarily in the field of American political institutions. The successful candidate will teach courses on topics such as Congress, the U.S. presidency, the bureaucracy, and state and local politics. Successful candidates must have strong research skills and a theoretically oriented research agenda that will lead to publication in peer-reviewed outlets, including journals and books. Preference will be given to applicants whose research and teaching interests align with existing departmental strengths, who attract extramural funding, and show evidence of or potential for teaching excellence. The position is a 9-month, tenure-track position, with a competitive salary that is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

More information about the Department of Political Science is available at: polisci.utk.edu.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.

The University of Tennessee campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country with easy access to miles of inland waterways, pristine state and national parks, diverse cultural opportunities, and a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings. Downtown Knoxville, adjacent to campus, is a thriving neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, and is home to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Opera Company, annual international festivals such as the Big Ears Music Festival, and seasonal and weekly events such as Jazz on the Square, Shakespeare on the Square, and the Farmers Market.  The University is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. 

Qualifications

All the requirements for a Ph.D. in political science, public policy, or related discipline must be finished at the time of appointment.

Application Instructions

Applicants should apply with a cover letter, a current CV, a sample of scholarly writing, a research statement, and a teaching statement. All applicants should request letters from three references to be directly uploaded to Interfolio. Please submit application materials in digital format via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/171457.  Review of applications begins September 26, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. We encourage all potential applicants to visit the University of Tennessee’s access and engagement website: https://dae.utk.edu/.  For questions or inquiries, contact Professor Tony Nownes at anownes@utk.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be direct