Academic Employment Opportunities
Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty
Assistant Professor of Political Science - International Relations:
Position Overview
Position title: Assistant Professor
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $84,100-$141,300. The posted UC academic salary scale for this position. Off-scale salaries and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. Additional UC San Diego salary information.
Application Window
Open date: September 1, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Sep 1, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The Department of Political Science within the School of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego invites applications in International Relations for appointment at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin July 1, 2027.
We seek candidates whose research, teaching, and service will advance scholarship in the area of International Relations by:
- Building and maintaining a record of high quality scholarship and professional activity.
- Providing meaningful service to campus and department.
- Teaching and advising graduate student and undergraduate students.
The teaching load in the department is 4 courses per year, typically distributed as 3 undergraduate and 1 graduate course. Faculty are also expected to participate in the undergraduate honors seminar and serve on PhD exam and dissertation committees.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Must currently hold a PhD in Political Science or a related field or be currently pursuing a PhD with ABD status.
Additional qualifications
Must hold a PhD in Political Science or related field by start date of appointment as Assistant Professor.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter - Description of training, research, and teaching experience and interests.
- Research Materials - May include research statement, publications, working papers, dissertation chapters, etc.
- Teaching Materials - May include teaching statement, evaluations, course materials, etc.
- Misc / Additional (Optional)
Reference requirements
- 3-5 letters of reference required
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04602
Lecturers (non-tenure track teaching positions)
Lecturer in Political Science:
Position Overview
Position title: Lecturer
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $70,997-$84,752 (full-time salary). The posted UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position [https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t15.pdf]
Application Window
Open date: March 24, 2026
Most recent review date: Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Wednesday, Mar 24, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The Department of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego, is generating an applicant pool of Lecturer Academic Year (Unit 18-Non-Senate Faculty) instructors to teach courses on a temporary basis should an opening arise. Applicants will be selected from this pool for teaching throughout the 2026-2027 academic year. The number of positions varies by academic term, depending on the needs of the Department. Candidates must identify the specific course or courses they are applying to teach and quarters they are available in the cover letter. (Please visit our department website for a complete listing of the courses we offer.: https://polisci.ucsd.edu/undergrad/political-science-courses.)
Positions typically start at the beginning of an academic quarter, and appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, performance, and the Department's mandate to maintain intellectual diversity.
In addition to the core responsibility of teaching, general duties include (but are not limited to) holding office hours, assigning grades, advising students, preparing course materials (e.g., syllabus), and maintaining a course website. Those teaching large courses are expected to manage and mentor graduate student Teaching Assistants.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Qualified candidates must hold a PhD in Political Science or closely related field or a related professional degree (including, but not limited to JD).
Preferred qualifications
Candidates with prior research or practical experience relevant to the course(s) to which they are applying to teach and/or prior college level teaching experience are preferred, experience can be as a teaching assistant.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter - You must identify the specific course or courses you are applying to teach in the cover letter. (Please visit our department website for a complete listing of the courses we offer in the job description).
- Sample Syllabi - You may propose to teach a course which aligns with your area of expertise by uploading a sample syllabi (if you do not see it listed in department's listing of courses).
- Teaching Evaluations (Optional)
- Misc / Additional (Optional)
- Misc / Additional (Optional)
- Misc / Additional (Optional)
Reference requirements
- 2 letters of reference required
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04458
Information for all positions
The University of California, San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, covered veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy (PDF). All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for the deadlines applicable to new University of California employees. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University controlled properties.
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For further information about the UCSD Department of Political Science, please visit our department home page.
For information about the University of California, San Diego please see our campus home page.