Assistant Professor of Legal Studies Program, Department of Political Science & Commonwealth Honors College

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 interdisciplinary Legal Studies Program of the Department of Political Science and the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are pleased to announce a joint faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and Commonwealth Honors College, to commence Fall 2025. This is an Honors faculty tenure-track position. We welcome applicants from a variety of methodological, disciplinary, and theoretical backgrounds with a substantive focus on law, crime, and society, punishment, and/or the carceral state, in the United States or the US in comparative perspective. The teaching load is 2/2 and consists of two Legal Studies courses and two Honors courses per year, particularly the Honors Thesis Seminar or courses satisfying General Education requirements. Honors Faculty also are engaged in the Commonwealth Honors College community and meet annually with the CHC Dean, in addition to contributing to the life of their home department, college, and university.

Requirements

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology, or other related field by the appointment start date.

Additional Information

Legal Studies at UMass is the oldest undergraduate liberal arts program for the study of law and society in the country, and the only one in New England at a public university. The Program is housed in the Department of Political Science and maintains its own distinct undergraduate major. The expanding Legal Studies Program is a center for ambitious intellectual activity and research that addresses important questions about the place of law in societies around the world while helping to produce the next generation of social science law and society scholars. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is the institutional home of the Law and Society Association, the world's premier interdisciplinary legal studies organization, and the Center for Justice, Law, and Societies. Commonwealth Honors College is the flagship honors college for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a nationally recognized residential community that serves the land grant mission of UMass Amherst. Honors students benefit from small honors classes and close-knit ties with faculty that enrich the honors thesis experience and student success.

Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit the following:

1. A letter of interest addressed to Professor Rebecca Hamlin, Director of Legal Studies, Thompson Hall, 200 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003 USA.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Evidence of quality teaching (such as summaries of teaching evaluations) and a teaching statement.
4. A statement explaining your understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and how you would contribute to these values at UMass.
5. Names and contact information for three (3) references who are willing to submit letters upon request through the UMass online application system.
6. Writing sample.

Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Rebecca Hamlin, Director of Legal Studies (rhamlin@umass.edu). Applications will be reviewed beginning September 10, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

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.