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Department of Political Science - Comparative Politics

Position overview

Salary range: "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $110600 - $145000, inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components.
Review timeline: Review will begin September 15, 2025

Application Window

Open date: August 29, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Sep 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Political Science at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in Comparative Politics. We are especially interested in candidates working on regional and/or emerging-market powers, though the successful candidate may work in any area of Comparative Politics. We are seeking candidates with strong theoretical and methodological skills as well as strong substantive interests that will strengthen any subfield of political science currently represented on the Davis faculty. Ph.D. in Political Science or related field must be completed by the first day of courses.

Applications will be accepted on-line at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07299. Candidates should upload a curriculum vitae, cover letter, a statement describing their research interests, sample publications or an article-length writing sample, and a statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy. Applicants will also be asked to provide three to five letters of reference through the online recruitment system. The anticipated starting date is July 1, 2026. Applications must be received by September 15, 2025 to guarantee initial full consideration, but the position will remain open until filled. Appointment level and salary are commensurate with experience. A reasonable estimate for this position is $110600 - $145000.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications. If you experience technical problems in uploading your application material please contact our Academic Personnel Coordinator, Angus Chang, at aychang@ucdavis.edu.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in Political Science or related field (completed by the first day of instruction)

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Writing Sample - Sample publications or an article -length writing sample

  • Writing Sample 2 (Optional)

  • Writing Sample 3 (Optional)

  • Additional Information - Any additional information you would like to include with your application
    (Optional)

  • Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07299

Help contact: aychang@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.
UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA