Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Tenure Track, Fall 2027

Chapman University:
Faculty Affairs:
The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy Location

Orange, CA

Aug 20, 2026

$80,000-$100,000 a year

Chapman University invites applications for two tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Philosophy, beginning August 1, 2027. The appointments will be in the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy and the Philosophy Department within Schmid College of Science and Technology.

Successful candidates are expected to conduct independent and original research at the highest academic level, provide excellent teaching, and demonstrate academic leadership. Since the positions are jointly appointed in the Smith Institute, we seek candidates interested in working together with people from different disciplinary backgrounds.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, offer 65 bachelors, 53 masters, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs.

Classes are taught by the more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, Mac Arthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners.

The mission of the Smith Institute is to reintegrate the study of the humanities and economics in the spirit of Adam Smith, the author of The Theory of Moral Sentimentsand An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, and to recombine research and undergraduate education as a discovery process in the spirit of Vernon Smith, a founder of experimental economics.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent and original research at the highest academic level, publishing books and/or articles in peer-reviewed journals, depending on the candidate’s specialty areas, and extramural grant-seeking.
• Teach undergraduate courses and mentor students in Chapman University's Humanomics Program and Philosophy Department.
• Initial teaching load is 2/2 for a total of 12 credit hours annually.
• Actively participate in Smith Institute and University service, and community-engagement initiatives.
• Tenure-track faculty are expected to develop and maintain an active research agenda for future tenure consideration and are evaluated on their research/scholarly activity, teaching and service.

Of particular interest will be candidates specialized in one or more of the following:
Political Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and the history of political and economic thought.

Required:

• PhD in Philosophy or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Strong potential for impactful scholarly contributions in the field of Philosophy, or a closely related field.
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring.

Preferred:

• Prior teaching experience in undergraduate Philosophy (or closely related field) and PPE courses.

Successful completion of background check is required for final candidate.

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.