Assistant Professor - Law, Politics, and Public Discourse - Department of Rhetoric
The University of California, Berkeley
About this position
Position Overview
Position title: Assistant Professor Salary range: The current salary range for this position is $84,100–$132,900 (9-month academic year salary), however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions. Anticipated start: July 1, 2027
Application Deadline
Open date: July 14, 2026 Next review date:Monday, Sep 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Monday, Sep 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position Description
The Department of Rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley, invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Law, Politics, and Public Discourse, with an expected start date of July 1, 2027. The Department seeks applications from candidates with an active research agenda in the interdisciplinary study of law and/or politics. The position is open to applicants whose research and teaching critically engage with the rhetoric and traditions of politics and political thought, legal thought, legal history, law & humanities, and/or sociolegal studies. The position is open in terms of specialization, historical period, and geographical area. We especially welcome candidates whose research in law and/or politics contributes to the Department’s historical and existing strengths in aesthetics, gender and sexuality, religion, science and technology, and the environment. Applicants should demonstrate evidence of a strong humanistic and/or theoretical research agenda and excellent scholarly potential in areas that complement the interdisciplinary profile of the Department. Responsibilities include teaching graduate seminars and undergraduate courses in the Department's Public Discourse concentration, mentoring graduate students in the Ph.D. program, and participating in departmental and campus life. Rhetoric is a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary department distinguished by its ongoing interrogation of existing and emerging fields of knowledge at their boundaries. While the Department is open to all disciplines in the humanities and the humanistic social sciences, it strongly values theoretical approaches that cross conventional disciplinary divisions. For more information about Rhetoric, visit Home | Rhetoric. The department is committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples and single parents. We are also interested in candidates who have had non-traditional career paths or who have taken time off for family reasons, or who have achieved excellence in careers outside academia. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit the Office for Faculty Equity and Welfare
Qualifications
Basic qualifications(required at time of application)PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application Preferred qualificationsevidence of a strong research agenda and excellent scholarly potential, research, and teaching that complement existing strengths in the Department of Rhetoric, and the ability to teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Candidates should demonstrate broad competence in their home disciplines. Candidates should also demonstrate an understanding of the Department's multi- and interdisciplinary profile and be prepared to teach, mentor, and contribute to the life of the Department in a wide range of scholarly areas and interests. The Department welcomes research profiles that may include international collaborations, public scholarship, creative work, or other modes of intellectual and institutional labor. Completion of the PhD (or equivalent international degree) by the start date of the position is strongly preferred.
Application Requirements
Document requirementsCurriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter - Up to 2 pages. Research Statement - Up to 2 pages. Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research. Statement of Teaching , Mentoring, and Service - Up to 2 pages. Please discuss prior teaching experience, teaching approach, future teaching interests, and mentoring experience and approach. This can include, for example, specific efforts, accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through an inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Please briefly discuss specific prior and proposed academic, professional, and/or public service activities. This can include, for example, participating in professional or scientific associations, serving on committees that advance departmental, campus, or scholarly goals, and conducting outreach activities that can remove barriers and increase academic participation in your field. Writing Sample - One writing sample, which may be work in progress, a recent publication, or an excerpt from a dissertation. 25-30 pages, double-spaced. Authorization to Release Information Form - An institutional reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form. Reference requirements 3 letters of reference required Apply link:https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05415 Help contact:rfahacademichr@berkeley.edu