Visiting Assistant/Associate Professor of Comparative Politics (Nine Month Appointment)

Western Washington University • Bellingham, WA

8d

About The Position

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a one-year Visiting
Assistant/Associate Professor position in Comparative Politics beginning
September 16th, 2026. We seek candidates who can contribute to our course
offerings in any of the following regions: East Asia, Europe/EU, and/or the
Middle East.
We welcome applicants who combine a regional focus with comparative
or international relations topics, such as security, conflict, nationalism, and
party systems, to name a few.
The candidate will be expected to teach two
classes per quarter for three quarters; service and research are not required.
Across the three quarters, we envision that candidates will offer one or two
courses on regionally specific topics as well as four broader or more general
topics that cross the field of comparative politics (and/or international
relations).

The Department, the College, and the University value teaching and we expect you
to be an effective teacher; to be current in your discipline; to engage students
actively in their own learning, including discussion, writing, and analysis; and
to maintain high standards regarding course content. We expect you to provide
students with feedback on their course work and examinations, and to be
available to students through regularly scheduled office hours. You will be
expected to have your students evaluate your courses using the standard
University evaluation forms and to make those evaluations available to the
department chair and faculty for review.

Requirements

• PhD in Political Science or ABD in Political Science.
• Demonstrated interest and engagement with the field of Comparative Politics, ability to teach in one of the regions specified above, and an ability to teach general topics that cross the field of comparative politics (and/or international relations).
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds
• Demonstrated successful experience teaching at the college or university level
• For appointment at the Visiting Associate Professor level (Visiting, non-tenure track), a research record and demonstrated evidence of successful teaching commensurate with standards for promotion to Associate Professor in the department.

Responsibilities

• Teach two classes per quarter for three quarters.
• Offer one or two courses on regionally specific topics.
• Offer four broader or more general topics that cross the field of comparative politics (and/or international relations).
• Engage students actively in their own learning, including discussion, writing, and analysis.
• Maintain high standards regarding course content.
• Provide students with feedback on their course work and examinations.
• Be available to students through regularly scheduled office hours.
• Have students evaluate courses using the standard University evaluation forms and to make those evaluations available to the department chair and faculty for review.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees