"Assistant Professor of American Politics"

The Department of Political Science and International Relations at Carleton College invites applicants for a tenure-track assistant professorship in American Politics. A Ph.D. is required, but applicants who will complete their Ph.D. by September 2026 will be considered. The appointment will begin on September 1, 2026.

The department seeks candidates who have expertise in all areas of American politics and can offer courses at all levels. The promise of excellence in scholarship and teaching is required. We are particularly interested in applicants with teaching and research interests that relate to the struggle for representation and dynamic power of majority and/or minority groups in American politics; federalism and state politics; the presidency and the executive branch; the bureaucracy; public policy and/or public administration.

Carleton operates on a trimester calendar, with faculty teaching five courses per year. Successful candidates will normally teach one or two introductory courses in American politics each year. We also expect that successful applicants will be part of a teaching rotation for a course on research methods, which is required for all majors. We are especially interested in candidates with a demonstrated capacity for mentoring students in diverse research methods such as field research, interviewing, and survey techniques that complement multivariate statistical analysis.

The following materials are required: letter of application; curriculum vitae; statement addressing the candidate's teaching experience and interests and scholarly agenda; graduate school transcript; a summary of teaching evaluations or other evidence of demonstrated or potential excellence in undergraduate instruction; one or two sample syllabi; at least one scholarly writing sample. After passing through an initial screening process, applicants may receive a request for the contact information for three references. The deadline for applications is September 12, 2025. All application materials can be submitted here.

Our academic year consists of three ten-week terms. The diverse members of the Department of Political Science and International Relations reside in a newly renovated, historic building with excellent facilities. The faculty is passionate about teaching and active in scholarship. We are particularly interested in applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to attracting and retaining students with varied backgrounds, interests, and experiences and who will contribute to our vibrant college-wide culture of undergraduate research. For further information about the department, please consult the Department of Political Science and International Relations’s website.

Carleton is a highly selective liberal arts college with a student body of approximately 2,000, located in the historic and thriving town of Northfield, Minnesota. We are 45 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, whose greater metro area has a diverse population of approximately 3.7 million people, a rich variety of cultural resources, and is located a similar distance from Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic. Our campus includes an 800-acre arboretum, and the region contains a network of state parks, lakes, and trails. For further information regarding our faculty and useful resources for prospective faculty candidates at Carleton College, please visit the Office of the Provost’s website.

The expected starting salary range for this position is between $87,480 - $91,460. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility. Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including: A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution; Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees.

Carleton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age in providing employment or access to its educational facilities and activities.

About Carleton College: Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Nationally recognized as the nation’s top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers 33 majors and 38 minors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.