Horwitz Professor - Department of Political Science

UMass Amherst • Amherst, NY

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks an established scholar at the full professor or advanced associate professor rank for the Leonard J. Horwitz Professorship in Latin American Politics and Studies. The anticipated start date for the appointment is September 1, 2027. The department is especially interested in candidates with expertise in comparative politics and deep area knowledge of South America, Central America, Mexico, and/or the Caribbean. The areas of specialization in comparative politics or related fields are open, but we are particularly interested in innovative scholars in areas that include contentious politics, gender and sexualities, race and ethnicity, indigeneity and colonialism, political economy and development, environmental politics, violence, democracy, and authoritarianism. Candidates should have a demonstrated track record of outstanding academic scholarship and research, as well as evidence of excellence in teaching. Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese as well as field experience in the region is strongly preferred. The selected candidate will be expected to offer undergraduate-level courses in Comparative Politics and Latin American Politics and graduate level courses in their area of expertise, as well as contributing to the training of doctoral students. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to affiliate with the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies (CLACLS), which promotes research, training, and public engagement on the histories, cultures, and politics of Latin American and Caribbean peoples across the Americas and throughout the world. UMASS Amherst has a long-established and active, interdisciplinary community of scholars and students in Latin American studies. Outstanding resources of support include the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS) and the Five College Consortium, connecting faculty across our neighboring colleges of Amherst College, Mt Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. Many of our faculty and students are also connected to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, and to the Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) programs through the consortium. This is a mid-career or senior-level position. Candidates should have a substantial record of scholarly achievement, leadership, and professional accomplishment. Consistent with University policy and the MSP Collective Bargaining Agreement, candidates who have previously been awarded tenure at a comparable institution may be considered for an expedited tenure review.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Political Science or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated record of internationally recognized excellence in Latin American politics and studies.
• Qualifications consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor.
• Candidates applying who currently hold the rank of Associate Professor must have achieved tenure, must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience following the award of tenure at the time of appointment, and must be prepared to seek promotion to full professor.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, including publications that have earned national and international recognition.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring.
• Demonstrated ability to secure external funding and to develop and strengthen communities of research, learning, and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the intellectual growth of undergraduate and graduate programs in Political Science and related fields.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese.
• Field experience in the region (South America, Central America, Mexico, and/or the Caribbean).

Responsibilities

• Offer undergraduate-level courses in Comparative Politics and Latin American Politics.
• Offer graduate level courses in their area of expertise.
• Contribute to the training of doctoral students.
• Affiliate with the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies (CLACLS).
• Promote research, training, and public engagement on the histories, cultures, and politics of Latin American and Caribbean peoples across the Americas and throughout the world.

Benefits

• Salary within an approximate range between $107,065 and $213,109.
• Access to resources of support include the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS).
• Access to the Five College Consortium, connecting faculty across Amherst College, Mt Holyoke, and Smith Colleges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree