Job Description

Matanuska-Susitna College under the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Arts & Sciences invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Political Science. The successful candidate should be available to start August 9, 2026 for the upcoming academic year.

“Opportunities start here” is more than a slogan at Matanuska-Susitna College (Mat-Su College); it is our mission. Our aim is to transform student aspirations into realities. Matanuska-Susitna College seeks applicants who possess a desire to help students succeed in reaching their goals.

Join us and help turn student aspirations into reality!

The primary function of the Political Science faculty member is teaching 100-level Political Science courses to undergraduate college students. This position might also have the opportunity to occasionally teach upper-division Political Science courses, and may also teach a class in a secondary Social Sciences teaching discipline. The remaining credits are typically allotted to service to the College, University, Profession, and/or Community. The faculty workload is required to be updated annually and can consist of a different ratio of teaching & service equal to 30 units, as approved by the College Director.

To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate is student-centric, committed to student success, and possesses the ability to teach lower division Political Science courses. Candidates who are qualified to teach in additional Social Sciences disciplines, such as Alaska Native Studies, Anthropology, &/or Philosophy are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will primarily teach 100-level Political Science classes, will occasionally teach upper-division level Political Science classes, and may also have the opportunity to teach a class in a secondary teaching discipline.

Preparing students for a broad range of higher-level courses in varying disciplines is a primary function of this position. To thrive in this role, the applicant should be able to effectively integrate technology into the classroom to support student learning and should be versed in face-to-face, hybrid, and distance delivery formats. The applicant should have the ability to encourage students to be actively engaged in the teaching/learning processes. A demonstrated commitment to taking on the diverse tasks associated with being a productive member of a small faculty, such as committee memberships and community service is essential to this position.

The following experiences would be beneficial for applicants to bring with them to this position: two or more years teaching, including as a graduate teaching assistant with a preference of college-level teaching in Political Science or closely related discipline; teaching with current technologies such as Blackboard or other LMS, audio and video components, interactive learning objects, lecture capture, & smartboards; and demonstrated success working with students with a broad range of political science experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned doctoral degree in Political Science or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university is required and must be completed by the employment start date in August of 2026.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Matanuska-Susitna College campus in Palmer, Alaska. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month exempt/salaried faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and  full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary will be aligned with qualifications and experience. 

Application Requirements:

The following are required documents for applicants to upload with their online application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume or CV
3. Three Professional References, including email & phone number contact information
4. *Unofficial Transcripts
5. *Teaching Philosophy Statement

**A teaching demonstration will be part of the interview process for candidates advancing to the final stages of the search.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified.
Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC).

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The  University of Alaska () is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a  policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA : (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or  police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or  uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu . 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or  uaf-orca@alaska.edu .

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing  uas.clery@alaska.edu .

Job Tags

Full time, Work at office, Immediate start, Visa sponsorship,

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