The Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota invites applications for a nine-month appointment as a Visiting Assistant Professor, beginning August 16, 2026.
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA) offers undergraduate degrees in political science and in public affairs serving over 150 students in the majors. UND’s Master of Public Administration serves 50 students. Both undergraduate and graduate programs offer on-campus and online paths to completion. PSPA was an early innovator in online graduate education. The model of instruction developed in the early 1990s emphasizes collaboration between distance and on-campus students through synchronous online and on-campus sections.
PSPA has a collegial department that values effective teaching and rigorous scholarship. UND was recently ranked among the top 100 public and top 25 most innovative universities in the country by U.S. News and World Report and is widely regarded as among the top universities in the American Northern Plains region

Duties & Responsibilities

Teaching - The position will teach six courses over the academic year while conducting research and engaging in service. Teaching will be primarily at the undergraduate level and include Global Perspectives, International Politics, and Foreign Policy. We prefer a candidate who would also teach Comparative Politics or International Human Rights. The successful candidate will also develop at least one course in their area of expertise - (Essential)
Research - The candidate will need to meet and maintain academic qualifications as a 'Scholarly Academic' as detailed in the Nistler College's faculty guidelines. Attaining status requires completion, or near completion (ABD), of a terminal doctoral degree in their field and sustained currency through recent, high-quality intellectual contributions, typically defined as publishing peer-reviewed journal articles. The successful candidate will be able to draw on departmental research funds to support conference travel when presenting. - (Essential)
Service - The position has an expectation for service to the Department, College, University, Profession, and Community based on the candidate’s skills and interests as well as available opportunities - (Essential)

Required Competencies

Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students both in person and in online settings
Ability to work with and engage diverse students and colleagues
Ability to adapt to current methods of teaching, including online delivery

Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. (or ABD) in Political Science or closely related field
Evidence of teaching effectiveness in undergraduate courses
Successful completion of criminal history records check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Evidence of teaching in a variety of international relations courses including but not limited to international politics and foreign policy
Evidence of being able to develop and teach an introductory interdisciplinary course inventorying the international community and critically assessing globalization
Evidence of teaching courses in a variety of modes including on-campus, online asynchronous and synchronous
Experience to support conducting scholarly research in areas compatible with assigned teaching duties

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by April 10, 2026 and include the following materials:

Letter of interest
Current Vitae
Evidence of teaching excellence/effectiveness
Contact information for three references
Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire

Questions regarding the position can be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Paul Sum at paul.sum@und.edu.

Position is open until filled.

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