Assistant Professor - Political Science

Position Rank and

Title:

Assistant Professor

School/Department Name: Political Science Department

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $88,000-$92,000

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target

Start Date:

August 16, 2027

Final date to receive applications: October 9, 2026 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

The Political Science Department at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for a full time, tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level in U.S. politics with a specialization in Latina/o/x/é politics and public policy. We are especially interested in scholars investigating how Latina/o/x/é political participation (e.g., voting, organizing, and mobilizing around immigration rights) and policy preferences influence political representation, power, and policy outcomes in Latinx/o/x/é communities.

We are also interested in candidates investigating how the structure and design of governing institutions (including the intersection of immigration law and civil rights) shapes policy outcomes in such areas as health care, education, legal protections, environmental policy, and/or social welfare in Latinx/é communities in the United States. Faculty will contribute to program growth through research and teaching in areas that are highly relevant to our students.

The Political Science Department at SJSU was founded in 1962. The department currently has 25 full and part time faculty and approximately 350 majors and minors. The undergraduate program offers a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and three minors:
Political Science, Public Administration and Public Policy, and Applied Research Methods. The Political Science major provides students with an understanding of politics and government, prepares them to be active, engaged, and informed citizens, and further develops skills in critical analysis and communication. The major in political science leads to a wide variety of professional careers, including public service, the law, diplomacy, public policy, teaching, and business.

The Political Science department is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community.

In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.

The Political Science Department in the College of Social Sciences and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will…