Renewable Contract Professor of Public Policy - 531094

The University of Alabama•Alabama, AL

About The Position

The University of Alabama School of Leadership and Policy invites applications for one or more renewable contract faculty positions in Public Policy at the rank of professor, beginning August 2027. These teaching- and student-focused appointments serve the undergraduate and graduate public policy programs. The School is a new college-level unit opening for classes in fall 2027, offering faculty the opportunity to help build its curriculum and programs. Faculty teach and mentor students and support the School’s relationships with organizations that host and hire them. Work may include career advising and mentoring, supervising the public policy capstone and student internships, developing experiential learning programs and courses, identifying capstone clients and internship sites, and connecting students with employers. Faculty at this rank are expected to take a leading role in this work and help set the direction of the School’s developing programs. Assignments are made by the department chair or dean based on the School’s needs and each faculty member’s strengths. Research is not required and is not considered in evaluation, reappointment, or promotion. Appointments are for renewable three-year terms. Reappointment depends on documented performance, continued departmental need, and continued funding availability. The University offers a competitive salary and relocation assistance.

Requirements

A doctorate or other terminal degree in a relevant field, or a master’s degree combined with professional contributions in public policy that confer professional stature commensurate with the rank of professor.
A record of teaching and professional accomplishment appropriate to the rank of professor.
Demonstrated capacity for undergraduate and graduate teaching and student mentoring.

Nice To Haves

Ability to teach in the public policy curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses such as Economics of Public Policy, Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Research Methods in Public Policy, Values in Public Policy, Communicating Public Policy, the Policymaking Process, and Leadership in Public Policy.
Experience directing or teaching a public policy capstone course.
Expertise relevant to policy challenges facing Alabama and its communities.
Preparation to teach policy analysis and evaluation, economics for public policy, and public policy research methods.
For candidates qualifying through practical experience, experience leading the design, adoption, implementation, or evaluation of public policy in government, the military, the nonprofit sector, or private industry.
Commitment to student development, demonstrated through teaching, advising, supervising, coaching, or developing junior colleagues.
A professional network that can provide employers, internship hosts, capstone clients, or guest speakers.
Experience creating and operating a course sequence, internship or fellowship program, training curriculum, or applied learning program.
Preparation to help lead the School’s academic programs.

Responsibilities

Teach and mentor students in undergraduate and graduate public policy programs.
Provide student support, potentially including career advising and mentoring.
Supervise the public policy capstone and student internships.
Develop experiential learning programs and courses.
Identify capstone clients and internship sites, and connect students with employers.
Take a leading role in student support and help set the direction of the School’s academic programs.
Develop additional courses reflecting the faculty member’s expertise and specialization.