University of Central Florida is hiring: Instructor or Lecturer, American Politi

Overview

The Opportunity: The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA) in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for the position of an instructor or lecturer in American politics with an anticipated start date of August 2026. The job is a 9-month, non-tenure earning, annually renewable position that offers a clear career path with the possibility of promotion based on years of service and performance. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated record of successful classroom teaching in a variety of Political Science courses on different aspects of American politics. The instructional duties and service assignments are in accordance with the department’s current equitable workload policy. The successful candidate will be expected to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online. SPSIA prepares students for a changing world, equipping them with knowledge and the critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary to make a positive impact on politics and government at the local, state, national, and international levels. SPSIA offers a Ph.D. in Security Studies, a Master’s in Political Science, and Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and in International & Global Studies. It is ranked as the #1 Best Online Political Science Bachelors Programs by Best Colleges. SPSIA’s faculty and centers cultivate cutting-edge research and provide expertise that address society’s biggest challenges.

For more information about SPSIA, see the information at the university website.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) is the largest college at the university and a powerhouse for the regional and national STEM workforce, spanning the natural, computational, physical, and social sciences and housing centers, institutes and initiatives that serve as hubs for research and innovation. Through sharing and applying knowledge, COS is cultivating pathways for students to solve our world’s most pressing and complex problems. With a mission to provide a world-class education in an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive, research flourishes, and our community prospers; a number of COS academic programs are among those nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review, and others. For more information, please visit theCOS information resource.

UCF, located in Orlando, Florida, is classified as a Very High Research Activity university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution. For more information, visit the university website. UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website (job number 15033) and attach the following materials: a letter of interest, current CV, teaching statement (including, if available, evidence of teaching excellence). Additionally, provide the names and contact information for three professional references.

Minimum Qualifications

A master’s degree (for an instructor) or a terminal degree (for a lecturer) in Political Science (or a closely related field) with an emphasis in American politics, from an accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• A demonstrated record of successful undergraduate teaching in American politics courses.
• An ability to teach courses on American politics, including voting and elections, interest groups, civic engagement, Congress and the legislative process, mass media, political parties.
• An ability to teach undergraduate research methods.
• An ability to teach in different modalities (online, face-to-face, etc.).

Application Materials

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website. In addition to the online application, upload the following materials: (1) a current curriculum vitae, (2) a letter detailing your interest in the position; (3) a teaching statement (one to two pages); and (4) the names and contact information for three professional references. The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Notes: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Special Instructions to the Applicants: N/A

Job Close Date: 10/15/2025

Administrative Details

Department: COS - Political Science

Work Schedule: Varies

Type of Appointment: Regular

Expected Salary: Negotiable

UCF is a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu. For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.