The Politics Department at Bates College invites applications for a four-course (0.8-FTE) visiting lectureship in judicial politics in the United States, to begin July 2026. Candidates who can also contribute a course on public policy are encouraged to apply. We seek an outstanding scholar with a strong commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching and mentorship in a liberal arts context. We are open to a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches.

The position carries a four-course teaching load as well as advising up to four one-semester senior theses during the year. We are interested in applicants who will add to the current perspectives in the department, contribute to the college’s ongoing commitment to social and cultural diversity and inclusion, and be attentive to the design of inclusive pedagogy.

Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2026. Applications should include a cover letter and a curriculum vitae. A teaching statement that describes how the applicant meets Bates’ standards of excellence in terms of inclusive and evidence-based pedagogy is required as well as one sample syllabus that includes a course description, learning objectives, sample readings, and a description of methods of assessment. The search committee will request letters of recommendation from three referees for short-listed candidates. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of degree.

Bates students come from a diversity of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, and we are committed to each student’s success. Candidates should share evidence of their skills and experience supporting a diverse student body in their teaching and research statements. We encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized groups and from those who may have followed non-traditional pathways to higher education due to societal, economic, or academic circumstances.

Bates College is a residential liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine—a diverse and growing community roughly 45 minutes from Portland, the state’s largest city, 2 ½ hours north of Boston, and 4 ½ hours south of Montreal. Visiting faculty’s scholarship and creative work at Bates are robustly supported with access to competitive internal grant opportunities, and a well-staffed external grants office. Support for developing Community-engaged learning courses through the Harward Center and pedagogical development and innovation is further buttressed by the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning.

Educational access and racial justice are central to Bates’ history and mission and our faculty-led initiatives reflect this commitment.

Candidates should have received or successfully defended a Ph.D. in Political Science or related field by July 1, 2026.

About https://www.bates.edu/

Founded in 1855, Bates is one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, with a long history of commitments to principles of human dignity and diversity.Since its inception, Bates has been a coeducational, nonsectarian, residential college with special commitments to academic rigor and to programs and opportunities by qualified learners of all backgrounds. Historically, Bates students and graduates have linked education with service, leadership, and obligations beyond themselves.Bates has highly competitive admission, graduates over 90% of its entering students, and over half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates has 1,700 students, 200 faculty members and 550 staff and administrative employees.The College is proud of its strong involvements in the Lewiston-Auburn communities, Maine’s second largest urban area, with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful, 109-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, Maine, a lively small city enjoying an exciting economic and cultural revitalization. With an engaged citizenry, lively arts scene, and historic downtown, this walkable city is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 340 miles north of New York City.

Connections working at https://www.bates.edu/