Instructional Professor of Political Science in MAPSS (Open Rank)

The University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

The University of Chicago Division of the Social Sciences invites applications for a full-time, career-track teaching and advising position in Political Science within the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS). The appointment is open at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank. Candidates from across the discipline are welcome; the program has particular interest in candidates whose substantive work addresses questions around identity and who have expertise in quantitative or qualitative methods.

The initial three-year appointment begins in Academic Year 2027–28 and is renewable, with an opportunity for promotion. Academic rank and compensation, including fringe benefits, depend on qualifications. MAPSS is a one-year program that gives students a foundation in graduate-level interdisciplinary social science research. Its students come from a wide range of backgrounds and pursue concentrations in several social science disciplines or interdisciplinary fields.

Instructional Professors teach four courses annually, including one section of the MAPSS core course and other courses for MA and/or undergraduate students, as program needs dictate. Teaching may include a graduate seminar introducing a significant social science research methodology. The MAPSS Faculty Director and Director determine the specific courses taught in each quarter. The role also includes substantial mentoring and service responsibilities. As preceptors, Instructional Professors advise students on course selection and independent research projects, serve as second readers on theses, supervise capstone projects, provide academic and professional guidance, and advise students and alumni applying to PhD programs.

Service includes participation in admissions, recruiting, and staff meetings, as well as contributions to program operations and co-curricular academic programming, including the annual student academic conference. The position provides professional development support, including funds to attend conferences and workshops, mentoring from senior members of the MAPSS instructional team, and opportunities to participate in the intellectual life of the University.

Requirements

• PhD in Political Science or a related discipline prior to the start date.
• Prior teaching in the social sciences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience mentoring students on original research projects.
• Substantive work addressing questions around identity.
• Expertise in quantitative or qualitative methods.

Responsibilities

• Teach four courses annually, including one section of the MAPSS core course and other courses for MA and/or undergraduate students according to program needs.
• Design and teach courses that may include a graduate seminar introducing an important social science research methodology.
• Advise students annually on quarterly course selection and independent research projects.
• Serve as second readers on student theses and supervise capstone projects.
• Provide students with broad academic and professional guidance.
• Advise students and alumni applying to PhD programs.
• Participate in admissions, recruiting, and staff meetings.
• Contribute to program operations and co-curricular academic programming, including the annual student academic conference.

Benefits

• Fringe benefits
• Professional development support, including funds to attend conferences and workshops
• Mentoring from senior members of the MAPSS instructional team
• Opportunity for promotion

What This Job Offers

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