Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/15/2026. Applications received after 11/15/2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
The Department of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island is hiring to fill an opening for an Assistant Teaching Professor position in our NASPAA-accredited MPA program. This is a full-time academic year appointment at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor to begin Fall of 2027. Assistant Teaching Professors may be eligible for the promotional process to Associate Teaching Professor or Full Teaching Professor dependent on time in rank, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and possession of a Ph.D. or terminal degree.
We are seeking to attract a pool of job candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. A key pillar of URI's mission is to "inspire an enlightened community that is characterized by vibrant cultural diversity; that embraces difference; that is built upon a learning environment that fosters respect, understanding, and social justice; and that rejects prejudice and intolerance." Our department seeks candidates whose principles align with that mission.
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs. It is the State's flagship, public R1 research university as well as the land grant and sea grant university for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Applicants will be expected to teach graduate courses in the areas of Public Policy and Public Administration that serve as requirements for an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with online graduate certificates in Policy Analysis, Public Management, and an anticipated certificate in Public Budgeting and Finance. Based on the applicant's strength, face-to-face teaching opportunities will be available in undergraduate political science courses on Public Administration, Public Policy, introductory courses in American politics, and other areas of expertise. Applicants are expected to help support the governance of an MPA program that has been nationally accredited by NASPAA, work with diverse student populations, and advise students.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
- Ph.D., or expectation of completion of degree requirements by September 1, 2027, in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a public service-related discipline.
- Primary or secondary specialization in Public Administration or Public Policy or a specialized public management-related field.
- Evidence of college level teaching commensurate with level of academic experience.
- Demonstrated ability to excel in teaching graduate-level MPA courses in at least two of the following: Seminar in Public Administration and Policy, Administrative Law, Public Personnel Administration, Public Budgeting and/or Finance, Policy and Grant Writing, Ethics, Social Equity in Public Administration and Policy, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations, Public Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, or courses related to specific public management-related areas.
- Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate political science courses in at least one of the following areas: Political Science, Public Administration, or Public Policy.
- Demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and a broad range of experiences.
PREFERRED:
- Evidence of online instruction or extensive training in online pedagogy.
- Ability to participate in the governance of a NASPAA-accredited program.
EEO Statement
URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Union: Non-Tenure Track
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Limited
Department: Political Science
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter/A Letter of application that describes your interest in this position.
(#2) A Curriculum Vitae which includes the names/contact information for three references, a list of all completed graduate-level courses, and, if available, course syllabi and teaching evaluations for any courses you have taught (note: please scan and attach all this information as a single CV document).
(#3) Other Document - A Teaching Philosophy supporting URI's strategic priorities of cultivating a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible learning environment. We value intellectual curiosity, creativity, scholarship, and the global exchange of ideas that enrich our community and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Position Number: 109521
Posting Number: F00532
Posting Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17235