"Assistant Professor, PLST & Philosophy"

The Program in Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST) and the Department of Philosophy in the School of Humanities at Rice University seek to appoint a tenure-track assistant professor in political and social philosophy and/or history of philosophy (AoS) and philosophy of law (AoC). A PhD in Philosophy or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Further qualifications, such as a JD, LLM, LLB, are welcome but not required. The start date for the position is July 1, 2026.

PLST is an interdisciplinary program with rapidly growing student numbers. Its faculty from the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences focus on political and legal thought understood in its social and historical contexts. Students also participate in legal and judicial practica (see www.politics.rice.edu) and often place at the top law schools. Our alumni have established highly successful careers in law, government, public affairs, and the academy. We seek applicants eager to lead and grow PLST in its second decade.

The successful candidate will simultaneously contribute to Rice’s Department of Philosophy, teaching courses in their AoC and AoS. The department offers BA and PhD programs with a particularly strong reputation in ethics and philosophy of mind. The department has close working relationships across the School of Humanities. In addition to its engagement with PLST, it is also involved in other interdisciplinary programs, including the Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Medical Humanities.

We are looking for an assistant professor who will deliver outstanding scholarship in political and social philosophy or the history of philosophy. The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in the philosophy of law, political and social philosophy or the history of philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This position involves teaching for the popular minor in Politics, Law and Social Thought (PLST), which may include a “gateway” course for the minor, an upper-level “core” course and electives that are aligned with to the candidate's research specialties (see https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/humanities/politics-law-social-thought/politics-law-social-thought-minor/#requirementstext). Rice University has a semester-based teaching schedule with a 2-2 teaching load. The University expects faculty members to maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication and to contribute service to the Department, University, and profession.

For full consideration, applications should be received by November 1 (via Interfolio) https://apply.interfolio.com/173365 and must include: a cover letter of 1-2 pages; CV, including a list of publications; a writing sample of approximately 25 double-spaced pages; a statement of teaching philosophy and interests (a complete teaching portfolio, including student evaluations, will be requested from finalists), and three letters of reference. For further information or questions contact Ms. Christine Gocek Medina, Lead Administrative Specialist, Office of the Dean, School of Humanities (cmedina@rice.edu).

Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic museum district, on a 300-acre tree-shaded campus adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. Rice has a highly diverse and international student body and a strong faculty culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools, Rice has a student body of around 5,000 undergraduates and a nearly equal number of graduate students. Rice is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report and is ranked No. 1 for race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. The university has a very high level of research activity and a 6:1 student-faculty ratio.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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