Unlock Your Future in International Relations: Thriving Global Careers Await!
International Relations faculty jobs stand at the intersection of politics, diplomacy, and global challenges, offering intellectuals a platform to influence world affairs. From analyzing U.S.-China tensions to studying climate diplomacy, professionals in this field drive academic discourse and policy. Aspiring academics can find tenure-track openings, postdocs, and lecturer roles listed on higher ed faculty jobs pages. Students eyeing International Relations careers should start with undergraduate majors blending political science and area studies, then pursue PhDs at elite programs.
Established professors seeking advancement explore professor jobs at research universities, where expertise in security studies or international political economy commands premium placements. The job market remains competitive yet robust, with over 250 International Relations positions advertised in the 2022-2023 APSA hiring cycle. Evaluate potential mentors via Rate My Professor for International Relations. Parents and job seekers, discover salary benchmarks and location-specific trends below, plus advice on navigating higher ed career advice.
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What Students Should Study for International Relations Careers
Undergraduates build foundations in political science, international law, economics, and quantitative methods. Key electives include comparative politics and foreign languages like Mandarin or Arabic—essential for area specialists. Top programs like Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School emphasize theory alongside real-world simulations.
Graduate paths demand 5-7 years for a PhD, focusing on subfields like global governance or conflict resolution. Fringe quirk: Programs at Tufts Fletcher School integrate experiential learning through Model UN simulations tied to actual UN internships. Students rate courses on Rate My Professor International Relations to select standout faculty. Career trajectories lead to academia, State Department roles, or NGOs like Human Rights Watch.
International Relations Professor Job Opportunities
Tenure-track positions dominate, with assistant professor roles requiring fresh PhDs and publications in journals like International Organization. Associate and full professors target R1 universities. Emerging niches: IR and cybersecurity at Georgetown, or Arctic geopolitics amid Russia tensions—a fringe case where scholars advise NATO.
Current Trends in IR Faculty Hiring
- Increased demand for scholars on U.S. foreign policy post-2024 elections.
- Postdoc openings in EU studies via higher ed postdoc jobs.
- Visiting lecturer gigs at liberal arts colleges for teaching-focused candidates.
Search lecturer jobs or adjunct professor jobs. Departments recruit via AcademicJobs.com recruitment tools.
International Relations Professor Salaries and Earnings
Earnings vary by rank, institution, and location. In 2023, assistant professors averaged $98,500, associates $118,200, and full professors $162,400 per AAUP data—higher at Ivy League schools like Ivy League universities.
| Rank | Average US Salary (2023) | Top Location Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $98,500 | California ($115k+) |
| Associate Professor | $118,200 | New York ($135k+) |
| Full Professor | $162,400 | Ivy League ($220k+) |
Explore detailed breakdowns on professor salaries. UK roles via jobs.ac.uk average £50,000-£80,000.
Assess peers on Rate My Professor Political Science.
Prestige and Top Programs in International Relations
Leading IR Departments (US News 2024)
- Princeton University
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- University of Chicago
- Georgetown University
Prestige boosts hiring; Chicago's Realist scholars like Mearsheimer exemplify influence. Quirky anecdote: SAIS at Johns Hopkins pioneered practitioner tracks, blending CIA alums with academics.
Associations for International Relations
International Studies Association
A global organization dedicated to promoting research, teaching, and collaboration in the field of international studies.
British International Studies Association
An association that supports the study and teaching of international relations, politics, and related subjects in the United Kingdom.
European International Studies Association
A pan-European association focused on fostering research, networking, and education in international studies across Europe.
Australian Institute of International Affairs
An independent organization promoting public understanding and debate on international issues in Australia.
Canadian International Council
A non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing Canada's place in the world through research and discussion on international affairs.
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs
A global association of graduate schools committed to improving professional education in international affairs.
Asian Political and International Studies Association
An association promoting political and international studies research and collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.











