Job Description Summary
Position Summary: The Auburn University Department of Political Science seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant professor to support its undergraduate and graduate public administration offerings starting August 16, 2026. Advanced assistant professors may also be considered. The appointment is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position.
Position Responsibilities: Candidates must be able to offer courses in public administration in person and online at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates should be broadly trained in public administration and/or public policy. We seek individuals who can contribute extensively to the NASPAA-accredited MPA program’s core curriculum offerings and our Ph.D. and undergraduate public administration programs. The standard teaching load is two courses per semester for at least the first three years of appointment.
The successful candidate will have an active research agenda and the ability to teach courses in local government administration. We seek candidates who can also contribute teaching and/or research capabilities in some combination of the following areas: ethics, environmental policy and management, intergovernmental relations/federalism, in addition to other core areas of public administration that are aligned with the mission and focus of the department’s program.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in public administration, public policy, or related field conferred by August 16, 2026. Ability to teach courses in local government administration. The candidate selected for this position must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States when the appointment begins and to continue working legally for the proposed term of employment; excellent communication skills are required.
Desired Qualifications
Candidates with professional experience in the public or nonprofit sectors; experience teaching in-person and online classes; experience teaching public administration courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels; evidence of a record of commitment to student success at the college level through substantial and continued effectiveness in teaching, advising, and other student-related responsibilities are highly desired. Candidates must strongly indicate the ability to achieve future research productivity in appropriate academic journals.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Review of applications will begin on September 19, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. To apply, visit
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/55403 Candidates must submit a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the position, a curriculum vitae, an official transcript of all graduate work, contact information for three letters of recommendation, a teaching statement and evidence of teaching ability, a research statement, and a writing sample.
Auburn University is an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 research institution, enrolling more than 33,000 students. It is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked Auburn among the top 50 public universities in the country. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, positive work environment, student engagement, and beautiful campus.
The Political Science Department maintains a multidisciplinary faculty of 33 tenured and tenure-track members and offers undergraduate degrees in political science, health services administration, and public administration; a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with graduate certificates in Election Administration, Nonprofit Organizations and Community Governance, Economic Development and Global Public Service; a Master of Community Planning (MCP), and a Ph.D. program in Public Administration and Public Policy.
Direct questions to Dr. John C. Morris, Public Administration Search Committee Chair, Department of Political Science, 7080 Haley Center, Auburn University AL, 36849. Email:
jcm0143@auburn.edu. The department’s website may be found at
https://cla.auburn.edu/polisci/.
