About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Description:
The Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks an established scholar at the full professor or advanced associate professor rank for the Leonard J. Horwitz Professorship in Latin American Politics and Studies. The anticipated start date for the appointment is flexible.
The department is especially interested in candidates with expertise in comparative politics who can build on our past and current strengths in interdisciplinary scholarship. The areas of specialization in comparative politics or related fields are open, but we are particularly interested in innovative scholars in areas that include contentious politics, gender and sexualities, race and ethnicity, indigeneity and colonialism, political economy and development, environmental politics, violence, democracy, and authoritarianism.
Candidates should have a demonstrated track record of outstanding academic scholarship and research, as well as evidence of excellence in teaching. The selected candidate will be expected to offer undergraduate-level Introduction to Comparative Politics and Latin American Politics courses and graduate level courses in their area of expertise, as well as contributing to the training of doctoral students. The selected candidate will also be expected to play a significant role in the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS), which promotes research, training, and public engagement on the histories, cultures, and politics of Latin American and Caribbean peoples across the Americas and throughout the world. Fluency in English and command of Spanish or Portuguese is required, as well as field experience in the region.
This is a mid-career or senior-level position, and the candidate will be reviewed for tenure on an expedited basis if the qualifications permit.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in political science or a closely related field, and a demonstrated record of internationally recognized excellence in Latin American politics and studies.
In order to be reviewed for tenure on an expedited basis, the selected candidate must have at least five (5) years of experience in a tenure-track professorship post in Political Science or related field(s). Candidates should also have a publication record that has earned national and international recognition from scholars in the field, a commitment to teaching excellence, demonstrated ability to secure external funding to develop and strengthen communities of research, learning, and community support, as well as a demonstrated ability to contribute to the intellectual growth of the undergraduate and graduate programs in Political Science and other related fields.
Additional Information:
UMASS Amherst has a long-established and active, interdisciplinary community of scholars and students in Latin American studies. Outstanding resources of support include the Center for Latin, American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS) and the Five College Consortium, connecting faculty across our neighboring colleges of Amherst College, Hampshire, Mt Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. Many of our faculty and students are also connected to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, and to the Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) programs through the consortium.
Applicant Instructions
Applicants must apply through the UMass online application system, unless unable to do so. Along with the application, please submit the following:
- A letter of interest addressed to Professor Angélica María Bernal, Search Committee Chair, Thompson Hall, 200 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003 USA.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Up to three (3) sample works published within the past five (5) years that the applicant believes shows their strongest work.
- Evidence of quality teaching (such as summaries of teaching evaluations) and a teaching statement.
- A one-page statement that discusses the candidate’s skills, experiences and commitment to teaching and mentoring diverse and historically underrepresented student populations; professional service that assists in achieving equity, inclusion, and diversity; and how the candidate’s past or future research addresses fundamental questions important to a diverse and global society.
- Names and contact information for three (3) references who are willing to submit letters upon request through the UMass online application system.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide materials that demonstrate the candidate's eligibility and qualifications to show they meet the criteria and the standards for tenure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (https://www.umass.edu/provost/resources/all-resources/academic-personnel/policy-and-labor-contracts/academic-personnel-policy-red).
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Professor Angélica María Bernal, the Search Committee Chair, at abernal@umass.edu.
The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.