Assistant Professor of Politics

Assistant Professor of Politics

Location:

Walla Walla, WA

Open Date:
Aug 18, 2026

Deadline:

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving roughly 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, along with a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

The Department of Politics seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in POLITICAL THEORY at the rank of assistant professor, beginning in August 2027. Applicants must have a Ph.D by the time of appointment. The Politics Department seeks a teacher-scholar working in Political Theory, broadly conceived, and welcomes applicants from a variety of theoretical traditions. Areas of scholarly interest and expertise might include:
African-American Political Thought and/or Comparative Political Theory (including engagements with Islamic, African, and/or East Asian Political Thought) and/or the History of Political Thought. The successful applicant will offer courses in support of the Politics major, including a mix of introductory courses and advanced undergraduate Seminars; they will also participate in the general education curriculum. We especially welcome applications from teacher-scholars who can offer introductory political theory courses that are foundational to our major.

In addition to Politics, we would welcome course contributions to interdisciplinary programs including, but not limited to:
Indigeneity, Race and Ethnic Studies;
Gender Studies;
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies;
Law, Culture, & Humanities;
Global Studies;
Philosophy; and Social Justice. The standard annual teaching load is five courses. The College provides a generous pre-tenure sabbatical leave program and professional development support for both research and teaching. The successful candidate will demonstrate potential to sustain an active scholarly agenda and to participate in faculty governance, mentorship, or other forms of service in ways that fit their interests and talents.

Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community that values diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. In the cover letter, candidates should describe their interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non-majors, at all levels of instruction. In doing so, candidates should address how their classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment.

Review of applications will begin on October 5, 2026.

Salary Range: $78,400 - $85,600

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
• basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• Tuition Remission - Dependent Children, after eligibility requirements
• employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester
• an Employee Assistance Program
• New faculty receive a relocation stipend for moving expenses based on the distance of relocation

Benefit offerings and eligibility described reflect current offerings and may be subject to change in accordance with College polices and plan documents.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment.

Whitman College is an EEO employer. The college shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.