Assistant Professor, U.S. Politics & Political Institutions
The Department of Political Science invites applications for a tenure-track position of assistant professor in U.S. politics and political institutions with strengths in one or more of the following: U.S. national and subnational institutions, judicial politics, U.S. and/or state constitutional law, law and courts, civil rights, and related fields. Candidates with additional specializations in historical institutionalism, voting rights, and jurisprudence including critical legal studies are also encouraged to apply. Teaching requirements for this position will be four courses a year, including a selection of undergraduate courses on U.S. political institutions, constitutional law, judicial process, and additional courses within the candidate’s specialization. Candidates may also be expected to contribute to advising pre-law students from throughout the University. This position will begin August 10, 2026.
Required qualifications: Earned doctorate in government or political science at the time of application or degree in hand by August 10, 2026. Candidates must have an active research agenda with strengths in U.S. political institutions including one or more of the fields listed above. Applicants should also have demonstrated effectiveness in undergraduate and graduate teaching to meet the department’s key teaching needs in its B.A. and M.A. programs.
Desired qualifications: Preference will be given to broadly trained candidates who have grounding and skills in a variety of theoretical, analytical, and methodological approaches, and who can work with undergraduate and graduate students at the master’s and doctoral levels in political science and related fields. Prior teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level is preferred.
Interested persons must apply here, where they will submit a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, a recent writing sample, teaching evaluations or portfolio, along with contact information from three academic references. Review of applications will begin on October 23, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.
All inquiries can be sent to: Professor Nick Goedert, U.S. Politics and Political Institutions Search Committee, Department of Political Science (0130), Major Williams Hall, Room 531, 220 Stanger Street, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
Individuals with additional questions or with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact the search committee chair.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
