Applicants should send a cover letter that describes their proposed course(s), as well as a draft syllabus for each proposed course. Applicants proposing courses in the following subject areas will be favored: International Security Affairs (POLSCI 372), The American Foreign Policy Process (POLSCI 371), International Organizations and Law (POLSCI 363), Politics of International Economic Relations (POLSCI 369). Applicants may likewise propose one or more courses of their own chosen heading using the POLSCI 389/489 description below. 

The search committee will favor applicants conducting independent research who are interested in participating in ongoing workshops on political economy and conflict and peace. Please address this interest in your cover letter, with some discussion of the independent research you are currently conducting. Likewise, applicants able to teach courses from a perspective informed by political science scholarship will be favored. Please indicate in your cover letter the range of political science literatures on which your courses draw.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The Department of Political Science in the College of Literature, Science, and Arts at the University of Michigan is hiring a LEO Lecturer I to teach up to three courses during the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 Semesters. An applicant can apply to teach up to three courses maximum. The duration of this appointment would be from August 26, 2026, to May 31, 2027.  The appointment effort would be 33% for one course (not benefits eligible), 67% for two courses (benefits eligible), and 100% for three courses (benefits eligible).

Responsibilities for each position include course coordination and teaching upper-level, undergraduate courses. In addition to classroom-teaching responsibilities, the instructor
will hold office hours for students, provide appropriate syllabus and course materials electronically, attend regular course meetings, and handle routine course-related administrative matters.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. or advanced graduate training in political science.

Someone who enjoys teaching, who likes undergraduate students, and who has good interpersonal and communication skills.

POLSCI 389. An upper-level lecture-discussion course on a topic in contemporary world politics. Area of focus is contingent on instructor's expertise; the course should employ political science concepts and analysis rather than just survey recent developments.  Examples of recent courses taught under this designation include The United Nations, The Political Economy of Conflict: Terrorism and Civil War, Global Society, Third-Party Conflict and Post-Conflict Intervention, Human Rights in Global Politics, and Sexual Violence in Wartime.

POLSCI 489. A senior-level seminar on a topic in contemporary world politics. Area of focus is contingent on instructor's expertise; the course should employ political science concepts and analysis rather than just survey recent developments.  Examples of recent seminars taught include Human Rights, The Historical Evolution of the Sovereign State System, The Politics of Sovereign Debt, Politics of International Finance, and Norm Diffusion.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Questions about applying for this position can be emailed to: joecjohn@umich.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.