International Relations Faculty Jobs

Explore academic careers in International Relations within Political Science. Opportunities range from teaching and research positions at universities to roles in think tanks and international organizations. Key institutions include top universities and research centers globally.

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.

Ready to apply? Browse International Relations Faculty Jobs Now

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.

Get Career Advice for IR Students

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.

RankAverage US Salary (2023)Top Location Example
Assistant Professor$98,500California ($115k+)
Associate Professor$118,200New York ($135k+)
Full Professor$162,400Ivy 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)

  1. Princeton University
  2. Harvard University
  3. Stanford University
  4. University of Chicago
  5. 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

Frequently Asked Questions

🌍What is International Relations as an academic field?

International Relations examines state interactions, global institutions, and conflicts. Subfields include security studies and international law. Check Rate My Professor International Relations for course insights.

📚How do I become an International Relations professor?

Earn a PhD (5-7 years), publish in top journals, and secure postdocs via higher ed postdoc jobs. Networking at ISA conferences is key.

💰What are average International Relations professor salaries?

US averages: $98k assistant, $162k full (2023). Varies by US states. See professor salaries for details.

🏛️Which universities have the best IR programs?

Princeton, Harvard, Stanford lead rankings. Fringe: Tufts Fletcher excels in policy tracks. Rate faculty on Rate My Professor.

📈What is the job market like for IR faculty?

Competitive, with 250+ ads yearly per APSA. Demand rises for Asia experts amid geopolitics. Browse faculty jobs.

🧠What skills are essential for IR academics?

Quantitative analysis, languages, theory. Quirky: Coding for network analysis of alliances. Prep via career advice.

🇬🇧Are there International Relations jobs outside the US?

Yes, UK via jobs.ac.uk, Canada strong in peace studies. Location search: unijobs.

How does prestige affect IR career paths?

Ivy League PhDs land top slots faster. Evaluate on Rate My Professor Political Science. Explore Ivy League guide.
107 Jobs Found

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of North Carolina Wilmington, Hoggart Building, 601 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Academic / Faculty
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Closes: Jan 12, 2026
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