Working/Functional Title

Assistant Professor - Fixed Term

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. The Department of Political Science at Michigan State University is seeking to hire a 9-month academic year, fixed-term system professor at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of political theory.

In particular, the Department seeks a candidate whose research and teaching focus on philosophy. The candidate will primarily teach courses and mentor students at the undergraduate level, and those who can discuss efforts to promote the study of political theory among undergraduates will be highly favored.

In addition to teaching responsibilities, the successful candidate will serve as Assistant Director of the LeFrak Forum. In this role, they will help shape the vision of the Forum, organize conferences and lecture series, coordinate academic community events for undergraduates, and plan trips and enrichment opportunities for LeFrak Fellows.

Evaluation for this position will be based on demonstrated success in teaching as well as in potential for the effective administration of the LeFrak Forum.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Political Theory or related field.

Minimum Requirements

Completed PhD by the date of employment. Teaching experience related to political philosophy.

Desired Qualifications

Potential contributions to broad, department-level programming, for students and the external community, exploring how Political Theory contributes to broader understandings of political and economic systems. Potential for obtaining external funding to support LeFrak programming. Potential for high-quality instruction and mentoring at the undergraduate level.

Required Application Materials

Electronic submission is required, and materials should be uploaded at http://careers.msu.edu (posting number 1087447). Applicants must submit a CV, cover letter, teaching statement and/or evidence of teaching effectiveness, and contact information for three references.

Special Instructions

The search committee chair is Prof. Raúl Rodríguez (rodr1085@msu.edu), Please contact Prof. Rodríguez with questions about this position.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/29/2025

Website

https://polisci.msu.edu/

Department Statement

MSU is located in East Lansing, MI, with easy access to the state capital, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Superior (albeit more time consuming), excellent school districts, affordable housing, Whole Foods, Horrocks, Trader Joe's, and two large metropolitan areas (Grand Rapids, Detroit). The University is pro-active in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career couples, both inside and outside the University. Information about MSU's dual career support can be found at https://uhw.msu.edu/health-and-wellbeing-services/health-promotion/health-promotion-for-faculty-and-staff.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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