Political Science Lecturer

About the Job

The Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs lecturers to teach courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty or graduate student instructors. These positions are temporary and part-time.

This does not constitute a posting for vacancies. This search establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur during the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis throughout the academic year.

This is a temporary, non-tenured, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, paid on a per course basis. These appointments are arranged semester-by-semester and employment is contingent upon the course meeting its enrollment target.

Lecturers will be expected to teach undergraduate students in assigned course(s), hold office hours to assist and advise students, respond to student and department inquiries, turn in grades, attend required meetings, and turn in student evaluations. An in-person review of teaching will be conducted during the course.

• Ph.D. in political science or closely related field.
• Two years of teaching experience in a college or university.

• Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of and/or experience in the University of Minnesota teaching methodology.
• Three or more years of teaching experience in a college or university.
• Must be capable of delivering high-quality instruction to a diverse student body.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The Department of Political Science is committed to excellence in graduate and undergraduate education and to the conduct of leading social science research. The department serves 23 faculty in five subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Applied Methods), approximately 50 Ph.D. students, 500 undergraduate majors, and 100 undergraduate minors. For more information, please visit the department website at

Pay Range: $12,000 - $15,000 / course; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications.