Assistant Professor in Comparative Politics/International Relations (Populism)

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

• Faculty - Tenure/Tenure Track
• Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

Yes

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

• Department of Political Sciences
• Department's Website:

https://politicalscience.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:

The Department of Political Science in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Comparative Politics or International Relations to start in August 2027 whose research and teaching focus on populism, political ideologies, and social movements.

We particularly encourage candidates with research and teaching interests in critical approaches to social movements, democratic backsliding and critical human rights specifically as they relate to marginalized, immigrant, and diaspora communities. Geographical focus on Europe is required. The successful candidate is expected to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise. Ability to complement current course offerings by teaching courses on populism, social movements, democratic institutions, and human rights especially as they pertain to contemporary political developments in Europe and beyond is desirable. The expected teaching load will be two courses a semester.

This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

About the Department:

The Department of Political Science consists of 22 full-time faculty. For more information about our department, please visit https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/political-science.

• Duties will include:
• •40% Teaching or Professional Performance
• •40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities
• •20% Academic Service Activities

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. degree in Political Science or closely related field with specializations in comparative politics and/or international relations or in related fields from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by August 2027

A record of successful research and published works (e.g., journal articles published in reputable outlets)

A well-defined and coherent research agenda that critically analyzes populism and populist social movements or similar political ideologies

Demonstrated evidence of effective teaching (e.g., teaching evaluations, sample syllabus, teaching portfolio, awards, etc.)

Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate introductory courses

Demonstrated regional focus on Europe is required

Preferred Qualifications:

A demonstrated ability to teach some combination of the following courses at the undergraduate or graduate level: Political Ideologies, Populism, Fascism, Social Movements, European Politics, Critical Human Rights, Democratic Institutions and Participation

Experience with teaching introductory courses in Comparative Politics or/and International Relations

An active and coherent research agenda that is well-grounded in theory, especially in critical and interdisciplinary approaches, and backed by strong analytical and interpretative skills

A record of scholarly research published in high-tier outlets as well as promise of future publications in similar outlets

Specialization in issues related to critical approaches to social movements, migration, diaspora communities or human rights

Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with students

Demonstrated potential to secure external grant funding

Demonstrated commitment to active scholarly service and engagement

Demonstrated potential for a national and international scholarly reputation

Additional Information:

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025 . Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

Salary Information:

• Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Other (see special instructions for details) Optional Documents:

• Proof of Veteran Status
• Recruitment Contact Information:

• A. Burcu Bayram, associate professor, [email protected]
• All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Completed applications received by October 8, 2026, will b