Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Public Policy

The Department of Public Policy in the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Affairs seeks an Assistant Professor of Public Policy who will contribute to the Department's research and teaching missions, including a new Master of Global Public Affairs.

We seek scholars from political science, public policy, sociology, and related fields whose work relates to Global Public Affairs, broadly defined. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to economic development, innovation, and trade; comparative and international political economy, including analyses of cultural, labor, and social policies, as well as the interplay of domestic and international institutions; social movements, conflict, and human rights; demography and immigration; and environmental sustainability. Applicants' research should have policy implications, and applicants should be prepared to teach core and elective courses to master's and undergraduate students. In addition to research and service commitments, the standard teaching load for this position is four courses across three quarters.

UCLA's Public Policy Department is multi-disciplinary and values scholarly excellence, effective teaching, and collegiality. The Public Policy Department currently includes 19 tenure-track faculty members, many of whom hold courtesy or joint appointments in other departments on campus (including in political science and sociology). The Department offers a Master of Public Policy degree, undergraduate courses, and will contribute courses to a new Master of Global Public Affairs. The Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA) is a two-year interdepartmental program that emphasizes rigorous training in problem formulation, policy design, and impact evaluation for students planning to work at the intersection of local and global issues across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Public Policy faculty may advise doctoral students from other departments.

The Department sits within the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, which is home to two other top-ranked departments (Urban Planning and Social Welfare) and a number of research centers. UCLA is a leading global university and among the top-ranked public universities in the US.

The position is open until filled, but early applications are encouraged. Applications will be accepted starting on August 1, 2026, and the selection committee will begin to review completed applications starting on September 18, 2026. Interested candidates should apply through the UC Recruit JPF11174 application link. Please submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter (maximum two pages), research statement (maximum five pages), teaching statement (maximum two pages), two academic writing samples, and three letters of reference. For questions related to the position, please contact Search Committee Chair, Darin Christensen (darinc@luskin.ucla.edu), or Department Manager, Stacey Hirose (stacey@luskin.ucla.edu).

A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., political science, public policy, sociology, or a related discipline) is required by the time of appointment.

The candidate has formal training/specialization and demonstrated expertise in a field related to Public Policy and Global Public Affairs.

• The candidate has a research agenda and an emerging record that shows significant promise of producing high-quality, innovative scholarship and manuscripts that are conceptually and analytically rigorous, policy-relevant, and contribute to expanding the knowledge base in the candidate's field.

• The candidate has an interest and expertise in one or more substantive policy domains relevant to Global Public Affairs, including but not limited to: economic development, innovation, and trade; comparative and international political economy, including analyses of cultural, labor, and social policies, as well as the interplay of domestic and international institutions; social movements, conflict, and human rights; demography and immigration; and environmental sustainability.

• The candidate demonstrates the capacity to communicate effectively and inclusively, with a range of diverse audiences and in multiple settings, from large lecture courses to more specialized seminars, from training students from myriad backgrounds and ambitions pursuing a professional degree to educating undergraduates from diverse backgrounds, and inclusive of more public forums for policy makers, activists, and the attentive public.

• The candidate will fit in with a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary faculty and on a highly interconnected campus.

• The candidate will effectively participate in administrative and/or service and volunteer roles-on campus or in the community-that show attributes such as institutional commitment, understanding diverse communities, and support of public goods.

• 3 letters of reference required

Three letters of reference are required.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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