Academic Professional

Posting Number:

F2823P

Working Title:

Academic Professional

Department:

SPIA-International Affairs

About the University of Georgia:

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department:

The Department of International Affairs is home to faculty with expertise across comparative politics, international relations, and area studies, including a growing concentration of scholars who focus on the Middle East. The Department plays a central role in SPIA’s efforts to build interdisciplinary academic and co-curricular programming on Israel and the Middle East, in coordination with the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ Jewish Studies program. For more information about the Department and the School of Public and International Affairs, visit our website.

College/Unit/Department website:

http://spia.uga.edu/department-of-international-affairs/

Posting Type:

External

Employment Type:

Employee

Benefits Eligibility:

Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date:

08/01/2027

Job Posting Date:

09/29/2026

Open until filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Prospective candidates should submit the following in electronic form: a cover letter that addresses the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position, a curriculum vita, a recent publication or research-related writing sample, a teaching portfolio, transcripts, and a list of three letter writers, who will separately provide letters of recommendation (in electronic form).

Questions can be sent to Bill Zachmann, Administrative Specialist/Office Manager, Department of International Affairs, University of Georgia, 219 Candler Hall, Athens, GA 30602 (zachmann@uga.edu).

Applications received by November 9, 2026 will receive full consideration. Review will continue until position is filled.

Location of Vacancy:

Athens Area

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title:

Academic Professional AC

Faculty Rank:

Academic Professional

Contract Type:

Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status:

Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in political science, the study of Israel, or the study of the Middle East by August 1, 2027.

Position Summary:

The Department of International Affairs in the UGA School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) seeks a colleague for a new position at the Academic Professional rank.

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, mentor students, and collaborate across departments, programs, and research centers, including the University’s Jewish Studies-related curricular and co-curricular initiatives. In particular, candidates who can build academic and co-curricular programming in the politics of Israel and the Middle East, direct independent studies and undergraduate research, and represent the University to public and professional audiences in this field are encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirements:

• Substantive expertise in Israeli politics and society, including the ways in which culture, history, or identity intersect with politics in Israel and the Middle East.
• Hebrew language proficiency and direct experiences in Israel, the Middle East, and North Africa.

The Academic Professional rank emphasizes teaching, outreach, and program development over traditional research metrics alone; requirements for appointment and review at this rank are outlined here: https://provost.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/appointment-promotion-guidelines-academic-professionals.pdf

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• A research and publication record that spans both the cultural/historical dimensions of Israeli national identity and contemporary Israeli foreign policy and regional diplomacy.
• We welcome applications from candidates whose scholarship and teaching combine research on contemporary Israeli foreign policy and regional diplomacy with grounding in the cultural and historical dimensions of Israeli national identity, and who bring direct experiences from Israel, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

The Department invites applications from a non-traditional social scientist with substantive expertise at the intersection of politics, state, and society in Israel and the broader Middle East, and whose training bridges political science with humanistic approaches to the study of Israel and the region.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students, including in courses on Israeli politics, Israeli culture, the history of Zionism, U.S.-Israel political relations, and Middle Eastern politics.
• Demonstrated record for program-building and public scholarship at the intersection of politics and culture in Israel and the Middle East.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading study abroad.
• Evidence of community and donor engagement related to Israel and Middle East studies.
• Potential to create synergies with existing UGA departmental, school, and University faculty, including the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ Jewish Studies program.

Is this a Position of Trust?:

No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?:

No

Does this position require a P-Card? :

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? :

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?:

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?:

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications):

No

Credit and P-Card policy:

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.