Assistant professor in comparative politics/international relations (populism)

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Faculty - Tenure/Tenure Track

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

Yes

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

Department of Political Sciences

Department's Website:

https://politicalscience.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:

The Department of Political Science in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Comparative Politics or International Relations to start in August 2027 whose research and teaching focus on populism, political ideologies, and social movements.

We particularly encourage candidates with research and teaching interests in critical approaches to social movements, democratic backsliding and critical human rights specifically as they relate to marginalized, immigrant, and diaspora communities. Geographical focus on Europe is required. The successful candidate is expected to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise. Ability to complement current course offerings by teaching courses on populism, social movements, democratic institutions, and human rights especially as they pertain to contemporary political developments in Europe and beyond is desirable. The expected teaching load will be two courses a semester.

This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

About the Department:

The Department of Political Science consists of 22 full-time faculty. For more information about our department, please visit https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/political-science.

Duties will include:

• 40% Teaching or Professional Performance
• 40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities
• 20% Academic Service Activities

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in Political Science or closely related field with specializations in comparative politics and/or international relations or in related fields from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by August 2027
• A record of successful research and published works (e.g., journal articles published in reputable outlets)
• A well-defined and coherent research agenda that critically analyzes populism and populist social movements or similar political ideologies
• Demonstrated evidence of effective teaching (e.g., teaching evaluations, sample syllabus, teaching portfolio, awards, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate introductory courses
• Demonstrated regional focus on Europe is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• A demonstrated ability to teach some combination of the following courses at the undergraduate or graduate level: Political Ideologies, Populism, Fascism, Social Movements, European Politics, Critical Human Rights, Democratic Institutions and Participation
• Experience with teaching introductory courses in Comparative Politics or/and International Relations
• An active and coherent research agenda that is well-grounded in theory, especially in critical and interdisciplinary approaches, and backed by strong analytical and interpretative skills
• A record of scholarly research published in high-tier outlets as well as promise of future publications in similar outlets
• Specialization in issues related to critical approaches to social movements, migration, diaspora communities or human rights
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with students
• Demonstrated potential to secure external grant funding
• Demonstrated commitment to active scholarly service and engagement
• Demonstrated potential for a national and international scholarly reputation

Additional Information:

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025. Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

Salary Information:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required Documents to Apply:

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of three Professional References (name, email, business title)
• Other (see special instructions for details)

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

A. Burcu Bayram, associate professor, bayram@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS. Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Completed applications received by October 8, 2026, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, A. Burcu Bayram, at Bayram@uark.edu.

To complete the application, candidates will need to submit:

• (1) a cover letter indicating interest and qualifications;
• (2) a current curriculum vita;
• (3) a research statement;
• (4) a teaching statement describing approach to instruction, assessment of learning, and means of including students from different backgrounds and with different learning abilities;
• (5) evidence of teaching effectiveness, including teaching evaluations (when available) demonstrating excellence in instruction;
• (6) unofficial graduate transcripts;
• (7) one published single-authored writing sample;
• (8) names of three academic references (only finalists will be asked to submit letters of recommendation).

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes