Lecturer in U.S. Politics

About us

The UCL Institute of the Americas is a leading multidisciplinary specialist institution for the study of the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. As a centre for academics and students who specialise in the social sciences and modern history of the Americas, it offers undergraduate degree programmes with a year-abroad option, four taught postgraduate degrees, and specialist supervision at the doctoral level.

We pursue a research strategy that emphasises cross-regional expertise, a vision of multi-disciplinarity rooted in social sciences and history, and concrete contributions to genuinely global conversations about historical and contemporary challenges affecting all regions in the world.

The Institute was ranked as the top Area Studies department in the UK in REF 2021.

About the role

We are seeking to fill a position in U.S. Politics at Lecturer level (equivalent to a U.S. tenure-track Assistant Professor position), with an anticipated start date of 1 August 2025.

We particularly welcome applicants with a strong research background in U.S. elections, electoral behaviour in the U.S., or Latino politics in the U.S. (especially relating to electoral behaviour of Latino voters or public policies impacting Latino communities in the U.S.).

The successful applicant will contribute to and expand our teaching provision in U.S. politics, political science, and methodological skills training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Please follow the instructions on how to apply, including which attachments to upload, as detailed in the job description.

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Political Science, awarded before 1 July 2025.

They will have a research background and track record/trajectory of internationally excellent publications in elections, electoral behaviour and/or Latino politics in the U.S, a clearly articulated and promising research agenda. They will also have proven experience of teaching and assessment at university level in U.S. politics, U.S. elections, and/or Latino politics in the U.S.

The postholder will have the ability or potential to publish in top journals and/or with leading book publishers. They will be able to develop, plan and implement high quality and innovative curricula at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as be able to supervise academic work by undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and doctoral students who come from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds. Alongside this, they will also provide effective pastoral support for students at all levels.

The successful applicant will have the ability to contribute to the delivery of modules in U.S. politics and political science and methodological skills development modules. They will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a range of academic and non-academic audiences.

The postholder will demonstrate commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity, making inclusivity, diversity and (inter)cultural awareness core to actions and decision-making for self and team. They will have a willingness to share in organisation and management of the department teaching programme and other student-focused activities and programmes, as well as a willingness to contribute to departmental, faculty, or UCL-wide activities, working groups or committees.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate expertise in quantitative or mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research methods and skills sufficient to conduct advanced research, supervise PhD and MA students, and teach introductory quantitative research methods. They will also demonstrate experience of winning grant-funding and a record of research impact through engaging with stakeholders beyond academia.

Customer advert reference: B03-02352

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