Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) – Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security

Position description

The Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security (FPGS) in the School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in international security at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August 1, 2026.

FPGS produces new knowledge on international policy and security challenges and trains the next generation of leaders to navigate those challenges effectively. Its faculty examines the policies of the United States, other countries, and global and transnational actors, as well as the determinants of security at all levels, from sub-national to global. FPGS is a multidisciplinary hub for research and teaching, comprised of a diverse group of renowned scholars and practitioners. Its faculty expertise spans all areas of foreign policy practice, including diplomacy, defense, economic statecraft, foreign aid, and intelligence.

This search aims to build FPGS’s capacity to help shape the field of international security at a time of major change in geopolitics and global security. To this end, FPGS seeks a scholar with an active and ambitious research agenda that focuses on international security, including geopolitics at the global or regional level; global order and disorder; the causes, conduct, and consequences of war (inter- and intra-state); the use of force, on its own or in combination with other instruments of influence; the nature of alliances; or the role of non-state armed groups in global security. The minimum position requirement is a Ph.D. in political science, international relations, history, or a related field, with a thematic focus on international or global security. 

The School of International Service includes political scientists, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, historians, and international relations scholars. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about working in this type of multidisciplinary environment. Preference will be given to applicants whose research is theoretically grounded, empirically tested, and policy relevant and to those who can teach required courses in the department, such as those on foreign policy, decision making, research design, or research methods. Willingness to mentor PhD candidates in our vibrant PhD program is also desirable. The successful candidate will also be enthusiastic about teaching international affairs from a multidisciplinary perspective at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

The successful candidate will share a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values.  

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in a social science discipline by the start date, though ABD applications will be considered.  The standard course load for a tenure track faculty is 2/2. All faculty are expected to hold office hours and participate in School and University activities and service.  Salary range: $95,000 – $105,000 annually.  Benefits are competitive. Review of applications will begin on 09/15/2025 and will continue until the position is filled, subject to ongoing budgetary approval.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Workday Application system.  Applications should include the following:    

• A cover letter detailing your research, teaching and service record to date along with your specific interest in joining, and potential contributions to, the SIS/AU community
• Curriculum vitae
• Sample publications
• A short teaching portfolio with a statement of teaching philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., teaching evaluations)
• Candidates selected to advance to the interview phase will be asked to submit contact information for three references that Workday can contact for confidential letters of recommendation. Candidates advancing to this phase will be notified later in the review process.

Queries about the search may be sent to FPGS department chair Piper Campbell at [email protected]. Queries about the online application system may be sent to SIS Faculty Affairs at [email protected].

American University is a private institution within easy reach of the many centers of government, business, research, and the arts located within the nation’s capital. For more information about American University, visit www.american.edu.

American University’s School of International Service (SIS) is a top-ten school of international affairs with 3,000 students, 120+ full-time faculty and more than 20,000 alumni worldwide.  SIS faculty produce transformational research and our prime location provides opportunities for collaboration with professionals in government, the private sector, and think tanks and other non-profits.

The Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security offers graduate degree programs in United States Foreign Policy and International Affairs and Policy Analysis, as well as an undergraduate thematic area in Foreign Policy and National Security. Learn more about SIS at www.american.edu/sis and the department at https://www.american.edu/sis/departments/foreign-policy-global-security/.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

Application instructions

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