"Visiting Assistant Professor in Integrated Liberal Studies"

Job Details

Salary:
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Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile: Visiting Assistant Professor

Job Summary

The Integrated Liberal Studies Program at the UW-Madison invites excellent candidates to apply for a three-year, full-time, non-renewable Visiting Assistant Professor in Integrated Liberal Studies position, tenable from the 2026-7 to the 2028-9 academic year and commencing in August 2026.

The Integrated Liberal Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the liberal arts curriculum, drawing exemplary, dynamic faculty from departments across campus to create courses that challenge students with a rigorous program of interdisciplinary study emphasizing critical thinking and judgment rather than the passive absorption of information. Although our courses may be taken as single electives, the purpose of the program is to counter the fragmentation of undergraduate education by providing a common ground of learning.

This position provides an opportunity for new PhDs to gain important teaching experience within a vibrant scholarly community. Office space will be provided, alongside a generous benefits package from UW-Madison. Faculty mentorship will also be available.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire teachers who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance. Learn more about the L&S mission on our webpage: https://ls.wisc.edu/about/mission.

Key Job Responsibilities

The successful applicant will teach the ILS 200 core lecture class, ILS 205, ILS 206 and the ILS 400 capstone (https://ils.wisc.edu/ils-courses/) and will contribute to the Integrated Liberal Studies Program’s undergraduate teaching mission of providing innovative, interdisciplinary liberal education.

Applicants should have the capacity to teach an undergraduate writing-intensive lecture course (ILS 200) as well as undergraduate courses about western political, economic and social thought (ILS 205 and 206), and a broad capstone covering any topic relevant to the Integrated Liberal Studies Program’s teaching mission and core values (ILS 400). As a member of the College of L&S, the successful candidate will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

Department: College of Letters & Science, Integrated Liberal Studies

Compensation: The expected salary range for this position is $60,000 up to $70,000 for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Evidence of excellence in teaching and mentoring
• Ability to foster a teaching, learning and mentoring environment where all can thrive
• Superlative organization skills particularly around grading and student feedback
• Experience of developing and implementing innovative teaching strategies
• Ability to build classroom environments that encourage engagement and inclusivity
• Ability to teach writing-intensive classes
• Ability to teach to the subject matter of the ILS core curriculum

Education: A PhD in Political Science, Classics, History, Law or Literature or a field relevant to the ILS classes that will be taught during the years of the visiting professorship is required by the start of the appointment in August 2026.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

1. a cover letter that details their teaching experience and suitability for this position;
2. a CV;
3. a “philosophy of teaching” statement (not to exceed two single-spaced pages);
4. a sample syllabus for ILS 200.

Three letters of recommendation will be requested for candidates who are shortlisted for a Zoom interview.

The deadline for applications is 8 February 2026.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information: Karen Britland, britland@wisc.edu