Assistant professor political history

Title: Professor

Department Org: Dean-Law School - 102070

Employee Classification: F3 - Faculty 9 Month Non AAUP

Bargaining Unit: Bargaining Unit Exempt

Primary Location: MC AC

Job Description

The Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership invites applications for multiple tenure track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor rank, to start in fall 2026.

The Institute is an interdisciplinary and public-spirited center at the University of Toledo dedicated to the principles, institutions, and texts that are foundational for America’s constitutional order and for greater Western Civilization. We are an honors-level “school within a school” at UToledo, providing courses, degree programs, and public events that enhance the humanities offerings at the University of Toledo and serve the broader northwest Ohio community.

The Institute’s faculty are committed to building an academic community in which civic life and the life of the mind flourish. These scholars and teachers are dedicated to examining timeless questions while addressing timely problems in American civic life. As the heart of the Institute’s academic community, they advance the Institute’s mission by making meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines, teaching and mentoring students, modeling collegiality, sustaining robust scholarly activity, and serving the University and the broader Ohio community. Faculty will teach up to five courses per academic year. The appointments and tenure for all the Institute’s faculty are held within the Institute.

The Institute offers a minor in Constitutional Studies; a minor in Science, Technology, and Society (STS); and is developing a Constitutional Studies Major.

Beginning in fall 2026, the Institute will offer multiple sections of CLT 2000: The American Constitutional Tradition. This course will serve as an entry to the Institute’s academic programs; it also satisfies a civic education requirement for every undergraduate at the University of Toledo who enrolls during or after fall 2026.

Ideal candidates will be prepared to teach multiple sections of this course, which introduces students to key readings in the history of American political thought, American constitutionalism, early modern philosophy, and great speeches by American statesmen.

Candidates should be familiar with and embrace the Institute’s mission as defined by ORC Sec. 3364.07 (B), (C), which is to educate university students in (A) the core texts and great debates of Western civilization; (B) the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio political order; and (C) the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship.

This is a full-time position. Salaries are highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

All faculty report directly to the Institute’s Director. Others who may provide work, guidance, and direction include the Senior Associate Director.

Application Instructions

A complete application must include:

• A current curriculum vitae
• A letter of application
• A sample of scholarly writing from within the last three years
• Evidence of teaching excellence
• Names and contact information for three references are required. Recommendations will be requested for selected candidates.
  
  

The letter of application should describe the candidate’s interest in the Institute’s mission and the candidate’s understanding of civic education. The letter should also explain how the candidate is prepared to support that mission through teaching, research, curriculum design, and areas where the candidate expects to contribute to the Institute’s development.

All application documents should be uploaded at utoledo.edu/jobs.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. The deadline for priority consideration is October 3, 2025.

The position start date is August 2026.

Please address any inquiries to Jodie Birch at [email protected].

Letters Of Application Should Be Addressed To

Jonathan Culp, Ph.D.

Director, Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership

University of Toledo

2801 West Bancroft, MS 507

Toledo, Ohio 43606

E-mail: [email protected]

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree is required, conferred by August 1, 2026.
• A commitment to and demonstrated understanding of the Institute’s mission.
• A robust research agenda.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to teach a course on the American constitutional tradition and key texts of the Western political tradition that have influenced America’s political development.
• Experience engaging with a variety of academic, administrative, and public audiences.
  
  

Applications are welcome from disciplines related to the Institute’s mission. Such disciplines may include history, political science, philosophy, and legal studies.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• American political thought, especially the political philosophy of the American Founding.
• American history
• The development of American institutions
• American constitutionalism
  
  

Applicants should explain how their scholarship and teaching experience reflect and support the Institute’s mission.

Experience with building and managing academic and public programs is desirable. The successful candidate will assist with developing the Institute’s curriculum, scholarly activities, events, and student opportunities.

The candidate should indicate interest in interdisciplinary teaching and research.

The Institute’s founding faculty must be self-motivated, well-organized, and committed to the extraordinary work of building up a new institution. The successful candidate will need to interact comfortably and confidently with a broad internal and external constituency, representing the University and the Institute with professionalism.

Conditions Of Employment

To promote the highest levels of health and well-being, the University of Toledo campuses are tobacco-free. Pre-employment health screening requirements for the University of Toledo Health Science Campus Medical Center will include drug and other required health screenings for the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Toledo is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Toledo does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation.

The University is dedicated to attracting and retaining the best and brightest talent and fostering a culture of respect.

The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete this application, or for testing or interviewing, please contact HR Compliance at [email protected] or 419-530-4747 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or apply online for an accommodation request.

Computer access is available at most public libraries and at the Office of Human Resources located in the Center for Administrative Support on the UToledo Main Campus.