University of Chicago, Social Sciences Collegiate Division

Collegiate Assistant Professor in the Social Sciences Core (Democracy: Equality, Liberty, and the Dilemmas of Self-Government)

The Social Sciences Collegiate Division (SSCD) at the University of Chicago is now accepting applications for four-year postdoctoral teaching appointments as Harper and Schmidt Fellows who hold the rank of Collegiate Assistant Professor and will teach in the Core sequence “Democracy: Equality, Liberty, and the Dilemmas of Self-Government” (Democracy). Collegiate Assistant Professors are members of the College Faculty whose primary responsibility is to teach in the general education (Core) program. The appointment begins September 1, 2023.

Democracy and other sequences in the Social Sciences Core explore, on the basis of significant works or primary source materials, the fundamental concepts and the different modes of inquiry that have defined the social sciences in the modern period. Undergraduate students must complete one year-long Core sequence in the social sciences as part of their general education requirement. The Democracy sequence examines democracy as it has been practiced around the world since its emergence and considers democracy as a particular kind of politics and social order. More information about Democracy and the Social Sciences Core can be viewed in the College’s online catalog: http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/socialsciences/.

Collegiate Assistant Professors typically teach two courses (usually of identical preparation) for each of three academic quarters; however, in 2023-24, the teaching load may be distributed unevenly across the three quarters. Each Collegiate Assistant Professor also has the opportunity to design two independent courses and each is eligible for one quarter of research sabbatical in the third year of residence. In the fourth year there is a possibility of another quarter of sabbatical with salary reduction. The annual salary for 2023-24 will be $80,166. The position carries full benefits and an annual professional development fund of $6,250.

The terms and conditions of this position are described in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union.

Qualifications

The position requires a Ph.D. in a social science discipline and is open to applicants who will have completed all requirements for their Ph.D. no later than August 31, 2023. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching as well as in their original scholarship.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, you must submit your application through the University of Chicago ‘s Interfolio job board at apply.interfolio.com/121366 and upload the following: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a cover letter describing your past and current research as well as your teaching experience and interests; 3) a writing sample of up to 50 pages; 4) one or two syllabi from previously taught courses; 5) teaching evaluations; 6) three letters of recommendation; and 7) a teaching statement, not to exceed 750 words, describing your methods and goals in teaching a text in a general education course. Applicants should write about a text of their own choosing. Examples include, but are not limited to, Weber's Protestant Ethic, Marx's Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts, Plato's Republic, Machiavelli's The Prince, Freud's Interpretation of Dreams, a selection from The Federalist Papers, Hobbes' Leviathan, Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk, Beauvoir's The Second Sex, and Fanon's Wretched of the Earth.  Only complete applications will be considered.

The review of applications will begin on March 5, 2023 and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.