Assistant Professor of Political Science (Comparative Politics of Asia/China), Fall 2026

Description

The Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure track position (assistant professor) to begin on August 1, 2026 in Comparative Politics. We seek a specialist in Asian politics. The position is open to any geographic focus on the Asian continent currently not covered by existing faculty in our department, though we have particular interest in China. Successful candidates must have strong research skills and a theoretically-oriented research agenda that will lead to publication in peer-reviewed outlets (journals and/or books). Candidates should also have strong quantitative and/or qualitative methods skills. Preference will be shown for applicants who have research and teaching interests that complement existing departmental interests and strengths, have a capacity for attracting extramural funding, and demonstrate evidence of or potential for college/university teaching excellence. The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the accessibility and engagement goals of the University. The position is a 9-month, tenure-track appointment, and the salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. 

The University of Tennessee campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country with easy access to miles of inland waterways, pristine state and national parks, diverse cultural opportunities, and a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings. Downtown Knoxville, adjacent to campus, is a thriving neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, and is home to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Opera Company, annual international festivals such as the Big Ears Music Festival, and seasonal and weekly events such as Jazz on the Square, Shakespeare on the Square, and the Farmers Market.  The University is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. More information about the Department is available at: polisci.utk.edu.

Qualifications

All the requirements for a Ph.D. in political science, public policy, or related discipline must be finished at the time of appointment.

Application Instructions

Applicants should send a cover letter, a current CV, a sample of scholarly writing, a research statement, and a teaching statement. We encourage all potential applicants to visit the University of Tennessee’s access and engagement website: https://dae.utk.edu/. All applicants should request letters from three references to be directly uploaded to Interfolio. Please submit application materials in digital format via Interfolio at  apply.interfolio.com/171456. Review of applications begins September 26, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or inquiries, contact Professor Kyung Joon Han at khan1@utk.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.