Lecturer in Political Science

College: College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and The Arts - 321 College
Dept/School: Public & International Affairs - 32421
Vacancy Number: 16F-709
Position Number: 659
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a position as a nine-month non-tenure-track lecturer to support our undergraduate degree in Political Science, with a specialization in American Politics with start date of August 2026.

This is a one-year position that is renewable annually, contingent upon satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding. The university provides opportunities for promotion to higher non-tenure track ranks for eligible instructors.

The position requires an active teaching agenda and carries a 4-4 teaching load. The candidate will teach primarily in the undergraduate political science program but may contribute to PIA's other graduate and undergraduate programs. The position also includes the possible opportunity for additional summer school teaching. While some asynchronous online instruction will be expected, instructors must be available to teach on-campus courses in Wilmington.

The successful candidate should have the potential for innovation and leadership in both teaching and service. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate courses, directing undergraduate student research as needed, providing service to PIA, and keeping up with new and developing knowledge and issues in the field. We seek to hire an individual who complements our existing strengths, specifically our department's commitment to undergraduate education in political science and public policy.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Masters Degree in Political Science at the time of application, with a specialization (with at least 18 credit hours) in American Politics.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Preference will be given to candidates with:

• PhD with a specialization in American Politics and Public Policy
• Ability to teach at least two classes a semester in American National Government and contribute to the upper-level course requirements including Political Behavior, Public Opinion, State and Local Government, Public Policy and/or Congress
• Prior teaching experience with both face-to-face and asynchronous online courses.

Required Certifications or Licensure:
N/A

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
The Department of Public & International Affairs is comprised of 16 faculty and is home to a B.A. in Political Science (PLS) and a series of professional master's programs - Master of Public Administration Program (MPA), an online Executive PLS Program (EMPA), a dual M.S. in Environmental Science/MPA Degree, M.S. in Coastal and Ocean Policy (MCOP), and a M.A. and graduate certificate in Conflict Management and Resolution. Additional information about the PIA department and the PLS program can be found at http://uncw.edu/pia/, http://uncw.edu/PLS/.

College/School Information:
The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is home to 14 academic departments and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in Spanish and English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service, professional advising for all CHSSA undergraduate students.

In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of interdisciplinary minors and post baccalaureate certificates including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies, classical studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency and disaster management, forensic science, Hispanic studies, journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing and publishing, science and medical writing, and women's, gender, and sexuality studies.

The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that comprises UNCW's University Studies Program, through which all undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The CHSSA strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level.

Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the CHSSA's departments requires an applied learning experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real-world or real disciplinary situations.

Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research and service while also making a positive societal impact. Come and join our vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity.



University Information:
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of 'Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity' institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Eligibility for Employment:
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants:
Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on Monday, January 12, 2026 the posting closing date. To apply, please complete the online application below and attach the following materials as an Adobe PDF document including:

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application that responds to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above, addressed to Dr. Jennifer Horan, PLS Search Committee Chair.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of 3 Professional References
4. Other: If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the Other category

Note that letters of application without the requested components will not meet the application requirements.

Please note that a minimum of three references is required for all applications. References will be requested during the screening process. For questions about the position, contact Search Chair Dr. Jennifer Horan at horanj@uncw.edu.

For questions about the online application process, contact Conswalia Green at greenc@uncw.edu or 910-962-3220.

Position Type: Permanent
Job Posting Date: 10/16/2025
Job Close Date: 1/12/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38074

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.







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