Assistant Professor of Political Science

Department

Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science

Job Posting Title

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science

Job Description

The Political Science Program at Fort Hays State University is seeking a teacher-scholar committed to instructional excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Housed within the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science, the Political Science Program is looking to hire a tenure-track candidate at the rank of Assistant Professor, with each annual academic contract being 9-months in duration, with potential opportunities for either compensated instruction or scholarly activity in the summer months. Specifically, the Department is seeking a candidate to teach courses in international relations and comparative politics, including courses in international organizations, foreign policy, world politics, and comparative political systems. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for educating students in both face-to-face and online teaching modalities. This is an on-campus position located on the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays, KS.

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum qualification for a tenure-track position is a terminal degree (Ph.D.) from an accredited institution in Political Science, International Affairs, Comparative Politics, Diplomacy, or a closely related field. Advanced All But Dissertation (ABD) status will be considered with a projected completion date of August 1, 2026. Applicants with later completion dates must demonstrate the timeline for completion through information provided by their dissertation chairperson.   Minimum qualifications for a non-tenure track position is a master’s degree from an accredited institution in the fields listed above.  

Preferred Qualifications: A terminal degree (Ph.D.) from an accredited institution in Political Science, International Affairs, Comparative Politics, Diplomacy, or a closely related field. Two or more years of recent college level teaching experience and an active program of scholarship and service.

Rank: Assistant Professor

Appointment Date: August 2026

Application Deadline: Priority deadline for review is October 20, 2025. 

Salary: The best current, good faith estimate of the salary for the position as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor is $64,039, which is based on data from the College and University Professional Association (CUPA). If the candidate selected does not hold a terminal degree, the appointment will be at the rank of NTT Instructor, at a salary of $59,016. These amounts are subject to change.

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Responsibilities:

This faculty position requires a commitment to quality teaching, scholarship and service: 60% teaching, 20% scholarship/research, and 20% service. The teaching load includes a 4/4 load, including both on-campus and online instruction.  The ideal applicant will be able to provide instruction for graduate and undergraduate-level coursework, including introductory, general education, and upper-division courses. Duties also include mentoring students, engagement in scholarly activities, and providing service to the department, university, and the profession/community.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following in one PDF at FHSU Careers:

• Cover letter addressing how the candidate’s qualifications fit the needs of the position and the university’s mission statement: https://www.fhsu.edu/about/mission
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy (no longer than two pages) that articulates what in their view are the qualities of effective teaching in the discipline of political science, as well as instructional approaches the candidate would apply in the on-campus and online teaching modalities
• A description (no longer than one page) of a potential assignment the candidate would deliver that demonstrates how concepts from either or both international relations and comparative politics can prepare students for viable career opportunities
• Unofficial university transcript(s) for all coursework at the graduate level
• Contact information for three professional references

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Dr. Jian Sun

[email protected]

(785) 628–4425

About the Department/Program:

The Political Science Program is housed in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science.  The Program offers two baccalaureate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and four graduate-level concentrations for the Master of Liberal Arts degree in Global Studies, Political Leadership and Public Service, Public Administration, and Political Science.  All undergraduate credentials are available on-campus and online, and graduate credentials are available online. We continue to develop our Program for degree offerings for our cross-border partnerships in China, Cambodia, and Africa.

Subfields in law, public administration/public policy, American politics, political theory, international relations/comparative politics, and democratic engagement provide students with diverse opportunities to focus their studies.  The Program’s theoretical coursework, hands-on activities, and real-world experiences prepare students to enter professional careers, law school, or graduate study in a variety of academic disciplines. Disciplinary connections to units like the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Civic Learning and Engagement, the Midwest Model United Nations Program, the American Democracy Project, the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence, and various campus learning and scholarship opportunities create active and applied learning experiences for our students.

About the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the heart of the University, offering a wide array of liberal-arts programs to expand intellectual horizons and prepare students for a profession and for life. We prepare students to be critical, thoughtful, and analytical, to assume a place in society where these skills are needed most. Our undergraduate and graduate programs help students to become better artists, thinkers, writers, and speakers.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.