Assistant Professor - Political Science and Public Health
 University of Colorado | |
$10000.00-$105000.00
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paid time off, tuition assistance
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 United States, Colorado, Boulder | |
 Nov 13, 2026 | |
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Requisition Number: 76023 Location: Boulder, Colorado City Boulder State Colorado Employment Type: Faculty Schedule: Full-Time Posting Close Date: 13-Dec-2026 Date Posted: 13-Nov-2026 Close All
Job Summary The Department of Political Science and the Public Health Program at the University of Colorado Boulder invite applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Public Policy and Health, beginning Fall 2027. We seek a scholar whose research examines the intersection of public policy, politics, and public health. We welcome applicants whose work investigates how political institutions, public policies, political behavior, governance, or social and political inequalities shape health outcomes and access to health care. Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to, health policy, the political determinants of health, health disparities, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic inequality, health-policy adoption and implementation, and the politics of public-health interventions. We welcome research focused on the United States or other national and comparative contexts. The successful candidate will be rostered in and work towards tenure within the Political Science Department and will teach courses that meet the needs of students studying Political Science and the BA degree in Public Health, which is housed within the newly instated Public Health Program on the CU Boulder campus. The successful candidate will contribute to the Political Science Department's existing strengths in public policy and quantitative methods while helping to build interdisciplinary connections with the university's Public Health Program. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research employs quantitative methods to explore the political and policy determinants of health, evaluate public policies, or investigate inequalities in health and health care. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Who We Are CU Political Science department comprises roughly 30 full-time faculty, over 1,000 undergraduate majors, about 50 Ph.D. students, and three full-time staff members. We provide students with a rigorous education and conduct influential research in all subfields of the discipline. For more information, please visit: https://www.colorado.edu/polisci/ PBHL is the newest academic program at CU Boulder, graduating its first class in Spring of 2026 and in our second year have over 500 students. The curriculum for the BA in Public Health provides students with the opportunity to broaden their perspective on health and behavior, epidemiology, and the health of communities and populations. Because we do not have a School of Public Health on the CU campus, our courses are taught from numerous departments within all three divisions (Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Humanities) within the College of Arts & Sciences. The Public Health Program program provides students with the knowledge, skills and expertise required for advanced training and careers in public health, medicine, nursing, and other allied health fields. Our goal is to shape students into critical thinkers, require students to engage in active learning, and encourage students to become trailblazers of social justice and equity. What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be 40% teaching, 40% scholarly and creative work, and 20% leadership and service What You Should Know This is a full-time, 100% FTE, 9-month position. What We Can Offer
Benefits At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program. Be Statements Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder. What We Require Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Political Science, Public Policy, Health Policy and Management, Public Health (with a focus on health policy) or a closely related field. Candidates should demonstrate the potential for excellence in research, effective teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. ABD candidates are welcome to apply, but the Ph.D. Degree must be conferred as of August 1, 2027. What You Will Need The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active research agenda, demonstrate a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, and contribute to the intellectual life of the Department of Political Science, the Public Health Program, and the University of Colorado. Teaching responsibilities include teaching Introduction to Health Policy, a course necessary for students studying public health, courses in the candidate's area of expertise, as well as contributions to political science's curriculum in public policy and/or quantitative research methods. The courses taught within the candidate's area of expertise should meet the requirements for electives within the Public Health Program as well as within the Department of Political Science. To get a sense of the diversity of courses and interdisciplinarity that exists within the Public Health Program, candidates may want to look here: https://www.colorado.edu/program/publichealth/major Special Instructions To apply, please submit the following materials:
During the application process you will be asked to provide contact information for three references who will be asked to provide letters of recommendation immediately after you apply. Review of applications will begin on December 7, 2026, and applications must be submitted by
December 13, 2026 to receive full consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
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