"Assistant Professor of Political Science - 920"

Job Description

The Department of Political Science at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in American Politics, with a primary focus on institutions and/or law, at the Assistant Professor level, to begin August 2025. Preference will be given to candidates who specialize in race, gender, sexuality, and/or economic inequality, who have a broad background in the discipline, and whose research and teaching interests speak to contemporary public concerns.  

The teaching responsibilities, five courses per year, would include Introduction to American Politics as well as upper-level courses depending on the scholar’s areas of research and teaching interest, such as courses on Congress, the presidency, the courts, state politics, or constitutional law. We expect that the person who fills this position will contribute to our department as a creative teacher, an engaged scholar, and a collaborative colleague.

Qualifications 

A Ph.D. in Political Science or a related field completed by the start of the fall semester is preferred, but ABD candidates will be considered.

About the Department

We are a collegial department, with two faculty members teaching regularly in each of the four subfields. We are committed to supporting our colleagues in their pursuit of creative and thoughtful pedagogy and rigorous scholarship. For more information about the department, visit wp.stolaf.edu/poli-sci/. 

Diversity

At St. Olaf, we are committed to equity and inclusion. We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity—gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age—to the Hill each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts. 

How to Apply

A complete application includes the following:

References: Provide contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship.

Supporting Documents and URLS:

1. Cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are interested in this particular position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Diversity statement (500 word limit): Describe how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at our college through your teaching, research, and/or service. Include examples of your contributions when possible.
4. Graduate transcripts (unofficial)
5. Teaching Statement: Evidence of teaching excellence, including a statement of teaching philosophy focused on pedagogy in and out of the classroom at a liberal arts college
6. Professional Statement focused on your current scholarship and plans for future scholarship 
7. Writing sample

Review of applications will begin on September 20, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date will receive fullest consideration. Finalist interviews are expected in November. Questions about the position, department, or College may be directed to Menevis Cilizoglu, Search Committee Chair, at tt2025ps@stolaf.edu.

About Us

Who We Are:

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to an 80% reduction) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/

A link to our DEI page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/

A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483

An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/

An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/

The college strongly recommends that incoming students and new employees complete the primary COVID vaccine series before beginning their studies or work on campus, and that all members of our campus community remain up to date with COVID vaccines, per CDC guidance. 

For Staff Application Assistance:

employment@stolaf.edu

507-786-3068

For Faculty Application Assistance:

facultysearch@stolaf.edu

507-786-3356

Nondiscrimination Policy

St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment. 

Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.

Apply Now

Job Info

• Job Identification
• 920
• Job Category
• Faculty
• Posting Date
• 06/26/2024, 08:56 PM
• Locations
•  1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN, 55057, US
• Job Schedule
• Full time