Institute of American Civics - Open Rank Tenure Track Professor in American Civics Fall 2027
Location: Knoxville, TN
Open Date: Aug 1, 2026
Description
The Institute of American Civics, located within the Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking to fill a tenure-line 9-month faculty position at the assistant through full professor rank in American Civics to begin August 1, 2027.
Successful candidates will be expected to teach undergraduate classes on a 2-2 load and carry out a program of research and scholarship. They will also be expected to be actively engaged in the Institute’s activities.
Who We Are
The Institute of American Civics was created to enhance education in politics, economics, philosophy, American history, and American government as well as increase understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship; fundamental democratic principles; and the ways in which those principles are expressed in and through our federal, state, and local institutions. In pursuit of this mission, the Institute invites applications from scholars at all ranks with teaching and research profiles in American political thought and American political institutions (including federalism). Additional interests in ancient to early modern political philosophy and/or political economy are desirable. Willingness to engage in student programming and public outreach is also required.
The Baker School was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former US Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan. The Baker School evolved from the Baker Center, which produced research, public engagement programming, and an active set of student programs for twenty years. The Baker School has now added degree programs and grown its research programming into several independent research centers.
We are a dynamic and close-knit team of dedicated and hardworking individuals who are devoted to our mission of research, education, and public service initiatives, and are dedicated to moving the Baker School forward.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must possess a PhD in political science, history, economics or a related discipline at the time of appointment (August 1, 2027).
Rank-Specific Qualifications
Assistant Professor: Candidates should have a demonstrated potential for publishing in appropriate venues, including a strong Ph.D. dissertation which has been published in some form or for which the candidate has a viable strategy for publication, and exceptional teaching. Advanced candidates for Assistant Professor should have a record of actual publications, and should show development of a trajectory that goes beyond the dissertation.
Associate Professor: Candidates should have a demonstrated record of publishing in appropriate venues, exceptional teaching, and internal and external service to their professional community.
Full Professor: Candidates should have a demonstrated record of publishing in appropriate venues, exceptional teaching, and internal and external service to their professional community. In addition, the candidate should have national/international recognition in their field of study.
Appropriate venues can include books, journal articles, and contributions to edited volumes. Some demonstrated capacity to attract external grant or fellowship funding is a plus.
Application Instructions
Applicants should send a cover letter explaining their research, teaching experience, record of service (if any), commitment to the Institute’s mission, and which IAC courses they are prepared to teach. They should also send a current CV, a research statement, a sample of scholarly writing, and recent student teaching evaluations (if available). All applicants should provide a list of references. Applicants should submit the following via Interfolio:
- CV
- Cover Letter
- List of three references with contact information
- Research Statement
- Sample of scholarly writing
- Student Evaluations if available.
Successful candidates will be required to submit official transcripts and undergo a background check. Screening of applicants will begin on September 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or inquiries, contact the search chair: Dr. Andrew Busch, abusch1@utk.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Organization
Working at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee is one of the nation’s oldest and most storied public universities. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee’s flagship land-grant institution includes the statewide Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute in Tullahoma. The university embodies excellence in teaching, discovery, scholarship, research, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. Known as the Volunteers, we lead with a spirit of selflessness, empathy, and courage, and strive to be champions for diversity, equity, and inclusion
UT Knoxville is a Research 1 university with 11 academic colleges and more than 900 programs of study. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, our academic programs are repeatedly ranked top in their class. The university co-manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the country’s most prominent national lab, driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and materials, national security, and more. We are closely connected with our communities through outreach and extension efforts across Tennessee and through partnerships with non-profits, corporations, and industries—regionally, nationally, and around the globe.
The city of Knoxville is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The modern, thriving community is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and hundreds of miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails. Situated along the banks of the Tennessee River, our beautiful features an eclectic music scene, internationally recognized festivals, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural activities. Knoxville is located within a day’s drive of Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people. The region houses many leading corporations and organizations, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pilot/Flying J, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Regal Cinemas, along with HGTV, Food Network, and other networks owned by Discovery Inc.
As a member of the UT family, you will be surrounded by top-notch faculty, staff, and students from around the world. You will be part of a diverse campus community that is passionate about changing the world and cheering for the Vols on game day.
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