"Open Rank Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Political Science"

Job Description

The Department of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for an open rank faculty position at the level of Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Computational Social Science, starting in Fall 2026. We are seeking candidates with expertise in developing and applying cutting-edge computational and quantitative methods to the study of politics as well as a demonstrated ability to work across disciplines. Areas of methods focus may include, but are not limited to, AI, machine learning, deep learning, digital experimentation, natural language processing, network analysis, text analysis, big-data analytics, or system dynamics.

The successful candidate is expected to direct a new interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Computational Social Science in the College of Arts & Sciences with a tenure home department in Political Science.

We are seeking to attract a diverse pool of job applicants for this position. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to have strong skills in computational social science with a substantive research program on politics informed by innovative quantitative, data-intensive, or computationally-intensive techniques. Competitive candidates will have a scholarly track record with evidence of high-quality research in their respective field of study as well as demonstrated potential in program leadership, advising and mentoring of Ph.D. students, and curriculum development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for directing the new interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Computational Social Science (CSS) within the College of Arts & Sciences. As the Director, the candidate will lead the development and refinement of its curriculum, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and oversee recruitment, advising, and mentoring of Ph.D. students. This position will involve working closely with faculty across multiple social science departments to ensure the program remains at the cutting edge of computational methodologies and their applications in the social sciences.

The Computational Social Science program's administrative home resides within the Political Science Department; this position will split their teaching and service duties across the CSS and traditional Political Science programs.

Qualifications

Required:

1. Ph.D. in Political Science, Computational Social Science, or in a closely related discipline.
2. Expertise in one or more of the following areas: computational social science, big-data analytics, machine learning, AI, natural language processing, text analysis, or network analysis.
3. Demonstrated ability to excel in teaching advanced coursework on applications of innovative quantitative, data-intensive, or computationally-intensive techniques in the social sciences.
4. Demonstrated experience in advising and mentoring of students.
5. Evidence of research in the area of computational social science, with scholarly work commensurate with level of academic experience.
6. Demonstrated potential to develop and maintain an externally grant-funded research program relevant to Computational Social Science.
7. Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills.
8. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
9. Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations or in diverse environments.

Preferred:

1. Ability to teach undergraduate research methods courses and substantive political science courses.
2. Demonstrated leadership and management skills in the areas of program development, student recruitment, and coordination of faculty and resources.
3. Demonstrated experience or interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with statistics, computer science, or related fields.
4. Demonstrated interest in developing collaborative research and/or consulting to support the interdisciplinary nature of programs within the Department, College, and the University as a whole.

Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Political Science

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter that describes your interest in this position that addresses the required qualifications.
(#2) CV, that includes a list of all completed graduate level courses, and, if applicable, course syllabi and teaching evaluations for select courses you have taught (note: please scan and attach all of this information as a single CV document).
(#3) Other Document - A brief research and teaching statement.
(#4) Other Document - URI is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and supportive working and learning community where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We value unique and diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents that each individual brings to our campus. Please provide a statement, with examples, describing how your professional experiences, teaching, research, service, or other activities have helped create an inclusive environment in your discipline (as one complete document).
(#5) Other Document - an article-length sample of relevant scholarly work (as one complete document).
Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.
Position Number: 109064
Posting Number: F00475
Posting Date: 08/25/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15651