Job Description

Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics: Chinese Politics and Policy

Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Open Date: Jul 22, 2025
DescriptionThe Department of Political Science at Swarthmore College invites applications for a full-time tenure track appointment at the level of Assistant Professor (Comparative Politics: China) to begin in Fall 2026. We seek a candidate with research and teaching expertise on the domestic politics of China, who can also teach about China in a comparative context and who can contribute more broadly to our Comparative Politics offerings through substantively themed courses.

Teaching will include both introductory courses and upper level seminars, with a typical load of four courses each academic year (2 in the fall, 2 in the spring), with the first year comprising only a three-course load.


The Department of Political Science provides students with a rigorous education that spans four traditional subfields of the discipline American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Courses on research design and methodology are also offered.


The Department consists of ten tenure-line faculty members and three visiting faculty members. The salary is highly competitive.


Additional information about the Department of Political Science can be found at


Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington DE, Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to diversity, and actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on Faculty Diversity and Excellence at Swarthmore, see Qualifications

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Political Science in hand by August 2026, a passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds and identities, and the potential for innovative and impactful scholarship.

Application InstructionsApplicants should include a brief cover letter describing their interest in Swarthmore College, a curriculum vitae, teaching and research statements, two syllabi, and three letters of recommendation. The teaching statement should describe the applicants interests in teaching at an undergraduate institution, previous teaching experience, and approach to teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. The research statement should describe the applicants program of research (including research interests, recent and current research, and anticipated areas for future work).


Apply at: apply.interfolio.com/170741. Applications will not be considered complete if the letters of recommendation are not received by the deadline.


All complete applications received by September 15, 2025, will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Please address any questions you may have to Christina Dahl, cdahl1@swarthmore.edu, Administrative Coordinator of Political Science.

Job Tags

Full time,

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