The Department of Politics, Governance and Economics (PGE) in the School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in economic security at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August 1, 2026.

We seek candidates focusing on economic security given the growing intersection of national security and economic competition.

Scholars with a robust research agenda and strong methodological skills in economics, political science, international relations, international law, sociology, or other social sciences are welcome to apply.  We encourage applicants who work at the intersection of economic and political systems that shape national resilience and global competition, possess advanced quantitative skills, and have theoretically grounded, empirically oriented, and policy relevant research.

Economic security includes both the economic and political dimensions of global competition, including supply chain resilience and strategic trade policy. Substantive areas might include financial statecraft such as sanctions, export controls, de-dollarization, or critical issues such as supply chain resiliency, energy security, the vulnerability of digital infrastructure, or economic and politically induced volatility of strategic sectors.  More broadly, candidates focused on political strategies and foreign or multilateral policies that explore economic tools to advance national, or even private, interests, or the economic instruments of national security strategies including those deployed by autocracies, are encouraged to apply.

Candidates would join a department of primarily political scientists and economists that has established a high profile on the geoeconomics of cooperation, strategic trade policy and supply chain resilience, and non-traditional security threats such as migration or climate change. The position has key intersections with faculty and students across several departments with shared interest in sanctions, trade, or other tools of economic diplomacy. The economic security position would complement existing expertise in financial and economic statecraft, emerging technologies, as well as research on non-state drivers of insecurity. 

The successful candidate will be working in a multidisciplinary environment that includes political scientists, economists, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, historians, and international relations scholars.  Preference will be given to candidates who can teach required courses in the school (e.g Research Methods, International Trade, or Global Economic Governance) and department (e.g., Global Governance, Foundations of Global Security, or International Political Economy). A willingness to mentor PhD candidates and collaborate with colleagues is also desirable. The successful candidate will also be enthusiastic and engaged in teaching international affairs from a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary perspective at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

The successful candidate will also share a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values.  

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in a social science or related discipline by the start date, though ABD applications will be considered.  The standard course load for a tenure track faculty member is 2/2. All faculty are expected to hold office hours and participate in School and University activities and service.  Salary range: $95,000 - $105,000 annually.  Benefits are competitive. Review of applications will begin on 9/15/2025 and will continue until the position is filled, subject to ongoing budgetary approval.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Workday application system. Applications should include the following:    

• A cover letter detailing your research, teaching and service record to date along with your specific interest in joining, and potential contributions to, the SIS/AU community
• Curriculum vitae
• Sample publications
• A short teaching portfolio with a statement of teaching philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., teaching evaluations if available)
• The names and email addresses of three individuals the Workday system may contact for a confidential letter of recommendation. These letters should be submitted as soon as possible

Queries about the search may be sent to Professor Michelle Egan Megan@american.edu Queries about the online application system may be sent to SIS Faculty Affairs at sisfacultyaffairs@american.edu.

American University is a private institution within easy reach of the many centers of government, business, research, and the arts located within the nation’s capital. For more information about American University, visit www.american.edu. American University's School of International Service (SIS) is a top-ten school of international affairs with 3,000 students, 120+ full-time faculty and more than 20,000 alumni worldwide.  SIS faculty produce transformational research and our prime location provides opportunities for collaboration with professionals in government, the private sector, and think tanks and other non-profits. The Department of Politics, Economics and Governance (PGE) offers graduate degree programs in Global Governance, Politics, and Security, and Global Governance, Politics and Security: Quantitative Methods as well as undergraduate thematic areas in the Global Economy, Comparative and Global Governance. SIS also houses the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, with which PGE closely collaborates. Learn more about SIS at www.american.edu/sis and the department at https://www.american.edu/sis/departments/politics-governance-economics/

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus.

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in a social science or related discipline by the start date, though ABD applications will be considered.