Assistant Professor - Politics/International Studies

Job Description:

The International Studies Program and the Department of Politics at Fairfield University invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in international relations, international politics and/or related area of social and political theory. Ideally, the candidate would focus on issues of security, including conflict and conflict resolution, humanitarian action and/or peace studies. The appointment begins September 2027 pending final budget approval and the successful candidate will work towards tenure in the Politics Department.

Strong candidates will be thoughtful in their pedagogical approaches, committed to continually improving their teaching, and possess a record of, or potential for teaching excellence. Successful candidates will possess a record of, or potential for strong scholarship in their area of specialization. The successful candidate should demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, to fostering critical engagement with global challenges, and to inspiring students to understand the complexities of past and current international dynamics. The teaching load is 3 three-credit courses each semester.

The International Studies Program consists of 7 full-time faculty, presenting a social science and business centric, interdisciplinary curriculum, each with a teaching-research tether to an academic department at Fairfield.  The Department of Politics consists of 8 full-time faculty, teaching a dynamic curriculum and engaged in exciting faculty research representing a range of approaches focusing on questions of democracy, citizenship, law, and power; emphasizing theoretical, empirical, historically-grounded work.  We collaborate closely with each other and our students, preparing them to become thoughtful, well-informed, and engaged leaders in a complex, interdependent world.

Students have opportunities to pursue a major in International Studies in the Meditz College of Arts and Sciences or in International Business in the Dolan School of Business. The new faculty member will teach the Introduction to International Relations course for the International Studies/Business Program along with courses in their area of specialization for the Politics Department. Selected candidates will engage in Department and Program meetings, committees, and special project work to further the goals of each.

About Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a Jesuit, Catholic institution, with consistent top ranking for its undergraduate teaching excellence with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and ranked among the Best Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States. It is located in the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT, one hour from New York City along Long Island Sound. Our five Colleges and Professional Schools enroll approximately 6,000 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, developing intellectual potential and fostering ethical values in the Jesuit tradition that includes an explicit commitment to social justice and to religious and cultural pluralism. We welcome differences in race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. The salary and the benefits for the position are highly competitive.

Minimum Education Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a PhD in either Political Science specialized in International Relations, International Relations, International Studies, or Global Studies (required by August 31, 2027). Exceptional ABD candidates who are very close to PhD conferral may also be considered.

Application Instructions

Application review will begin on November 15, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, please complete the online application process, attaching the following materials as an Adobe PDF document including:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vita
• Teaching Philosophy – Statement of Teaching Philosophy describing teaching interests including a list of potential course offerings.
• Statement of research interests and representative reprints of scholarly work
• Examples of syllabi and teaching evaluations, if applicable
• Unofficial graduate transcript
• Three letters of reference

Please send letters of reference and any additional materials to [email protected]. 

Please direct questions concerning the search to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Alfred Babo, Program Director, International Studies Program, at [email protected] and Dr. Lucrecia Garcia Iommi, Chair of Politics department at [email protected]. 

Anticipated hiring range: $104,514–$108,276 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Final compensation is determined by University guidelines and budget availability.

Category:

Academic - Faculty Tenure/Tenure Track

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Eligible employees may receive health, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefits, and other benefits according to institutional policy. Fairfield University Benefits

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to [email protected]