Assistant Professor in Politics International Studies in Fairfield University – USA

Summary

Fairfield University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Politics and International Studies, with an appointment beginning in September 2027. The successful candidate will have expertise in international relations, international politics, and/or social political theory, ideally focusing on security issues such as conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and peace studies. Responsibilities include teaching three three-credit courses each semester, including an Introduction to International Relations course, and engaging in departmental and program meetings. Applicants must hold a PhD in Political Science, International Relations, International Studies, or Global Studies by August 31, 2027, though exceptional ABD candidates may be considered. The application review process will commence on November 15, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. The position offers a highly competitive salary and benefits.

Key Facts

Department	International Studies Program and Department of Politics, Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, Dolan School of Business
Position Type	Assistant Professor
Discipline	Politics, International Studies, International Relations, Social Political Theory
Research Area	International Relations, International Politics, Social Political Theory, Security, Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Humanitarian Action, Peace Studies
Degree Required	PhD in Political Science specialized in International Relations, International Relations, International Studies, or Global Studies
Salary	Highly competitive
Contract Duration	Full-time, Tenure Track
Deadline	2026-11-15
Required Documents	Cover Letter, Curriculum Vita, Teaching Philosophy Statement, Statement of research interests, Representative reprints of scholarly work, Examples of syllabi (if applicable), Teaching evaluations (if applicable), Unofficial graduate transcript, Three letters of reference
Employer Address	Fairfield, CT, USA
Employer Contact	Dr. Alfred Babo ([email protected]), Dr. Lucrecia Garcia Iommi ([email protected])

About the Project

The successful candidate is expected to possess a record or potential for strong scholarship in their area of specialization, which includes international relations, international politics, social political theory, and ideally security issues such as conflict, conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and peace studies. The role involves engaging in exciting faculty research within the Politics Department, which emphasizes theoretical, empirical, and historically-grounded work.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach three three-credit courses each semester
• Teach the Introduction to International Relations course
• Teach International Studies Business Program courses
• Teach courses in area of specialization within the Politics Department
• Engage in Department and Program meetings
• Participate in committees
• Work on special projects to further goals of the Department and Program

Required Skills

• PhD in Political Science (specialized in International Relations), International Relations, International Studies, or Global Studies (required by August 31, 2027)
• Expertise in international relations, international politics, and/or social political theory
• Focus on security issues including conflict, conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and/or peace studies (ideally)
• Thoughtful pedagogical approaches
• Commitment to continually improving teaching
• Record or potential for teaching excellence
• Record or potential for strong scholarship in area of specialization
• Commitment to interdisciplinary approaches
• Commitment to fostering critical engagement with global challenges
• Ability to inspire students to understand complexities of past and current international dynamics

Who Should Apply

Candidates with a PhD in Political Science (specializing in International Relations), International Relations, International Studies, or Global Studies, or exceptional ABD candidates close to conferral, are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will have expertise in international relations, international politics, and/or social political theory, with a focus on security, conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and peace studies. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, critical engagement with global challenges, and inspiring students.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary
• Highly competitive benefits

About the Employer

Fairfield University is a Jesuit Catholic institution consistently ranked for undergraduate teaching excellence, with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. It is located in Fairfield, CT, one hour from New York City. The university enrolls approximately 6000 undergraduate and 1500 graduate students across five colleges and professional schools. It fosters ethical values in the Jesuit tradition, including a commitment to social justice, religious, and cultural pluralism.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the appointment for this position begin?

The appointment for this position begins in September 2027, pending final budget approval.

What is the teaching load for this position?

The teaching load is three three-credit courses each semester.

What is the deadline for applications?

Application review will begin on November 15, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

What specific areas of expertise are preferred for this role?

The ideal candidate would focus on issues of security, including conflict, conflict resolution, humanitarian action, and/or peace studies.

Who can I contact for questions regarding the search?

Questions can be directed to Dr. Alfred Babo at [email protected] or Dr. Lucrecia Garcia Iommi at [email protected].

What is the student-faculty ratio at Fairfield University?

Fairfield University has a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.