Title Information Faculty TitleAssistant Professor Job Class Code10031 FLSAExempt Position Information Posting NumberFRGV1789 Working TitleAssistant Professor of Political Science/College of Liberal Arts Number of Vacancies1 LocationBrownsville, Texas Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position Tenure StatusTenure Track FTE1.0 Scope of Job We seek applicants who are dedicated to servingThe University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’sstudent body as an assistant professor of political science, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The department seeks applicants with a robust research and teaching agenda in American politics, particularly US public and constitutional law and/or judicial politics. The position will be primarily on the Brownsville campus. We are open as far as research method specialty. Candidates with both a PhD and a JD are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate should be able to teach core American politics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including but not limited to courses covering judicial politics, public law, and constitutional law, as well as lower-division courses in US Federal and Texas Government and Politics. The ideal candidate will also contribute to expanding our MA program by offering courses grounded in political science theories and methods, while simultaneously supporting the interdisciplinary nature of the legal studies minor by incorporating topics, methods, and concepts utilized outside of political science. The department maintains a highly flexible teaching schedule to encourage faculty research and faculty regularly receive teaching support from graduate assistants, undergraduate research interns, and online instructional coaches. About UTRGV : UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit the UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm) . About the Department of Political Science The political science department at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is one of the largest academic units in the College of Liberal Arts, with 28 full-time and 9 part-time faculty serving approximately 4,300 students each semester. Political science has over 400 majors and minors, the minor in Legal Studies has almost 300 students, and our MA program has 25 students. Political science faculty also support multiple student organizations, such as mock trial, the Pre-Law Society, and Model UN. Political science played a significant role in UTRGV being designated an RU2 institution, and the person hired for this position is expected to contribute to UTRGV’s push for R1 status. Minimum Qualifications 1).A PhD in political science, government, politics, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education.A JD or LLM alone are not sufficient for this position.ABD’s will be considered, but a conferred doctorate by August 31st, 2025, is required for appointment. 2). A demonstrated research and publication record in US public law, constitutional law, or judicial politics, or demonstrable potential for a strong research and publication record in these areas. 3). Demonstrated teaching excellence in US public law, constitutional law, or judicial politics, or demonstrable potential for teaching excellence. 4) Willingness to learn UTRGV’s online platform and to teach in a variety of formats to include classroom, hybrid, and online courses. Discipline Specific Required Qualifications Preferred Qualifications Candidates with a JD and candidates with pre-law advising experience are strongly encouraged to apply. The ability to contribute new course offerings to our legal studies minor is a plus. Experience using Brightspace. License or Certification Required?No SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience Desired Start Date09/01/2025 Posting Detail Information EEO Statement It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest. Open Date12/19/2024 Close Date01/29/2025 Additional Information UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Special Instructions to Applicants Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview. Please Note Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval. Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/45428 Posting Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Applicant Documents Required Documents + Teaching Philosophy + Writing / Publication Sample + Curriculum Vitae + Unofficial Transcripts + List of 3 References + Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness + Letter of Interest + Research Statement Optional Documents