Assistant Professor of Government and Political Science

Position Overview:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Government and Political Science, with primary assignment to the Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE), fully taught in English.

The Faculty operates as a College model that integrates more than 8 undergraduate degree programs through a shared curriculum in the first year. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching "Foundations of Government," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across these programs, as well as advanced courses in political science and government within the PPLE degree and other programs.

This position offers the opportunity to shape how hundreds of students from diverse academic backgrounds first encounter political thinking and governance, helping them understand political systems, institutions, and public policy through the lens of the common good, human dignity, and authentic democratic participation. The role allows the candidate to participate in an innovative educational project that approaches politics as more than power dynamics or electoral competition, integrating it with philosophy, law, economics, business, and other disciplines across the College.

Position Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching 'Foundations of Business,' a required first-year College course for students across the Faculty's 10+ degree programs course for all undergraduate students across these programs (approximately 9 ECTS), as well as advanced courses within the PPLE degree and other programs in their area of specialization (approximately 15 ECTS). This dual assignment reflects our conviction that faculty who can articulate the foundational questions of their discipline are best equipped to guide students through more specialized study. Total teaching load: 24 ECTS annually.
• Develop pedagogical approaches that integrate political analysis with ethical reflection, philosophical foundations, and the pursuit of the common good
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue between political science and other disciplines (philosophy, law, economics, business) within the College model
• Engage in research activities within their area of expertise, particularly in areas related to political philosophy, democratic theory, public policy, governance, or other approaches that ground politics in the common good and human dignity
• Supervise bachelor's theses and mentor students in their intellectual and personal development
• Participate in College activities, including seminars, lectures, and academic events that bring together students and faculty from different programs
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster the College's interdisciplinary mission
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the political science and government curriculum across the College
• Represent the Faculty in academic forums and contribute to its visibility

Required Qualifications:

Academic Background:

• PhD in Political Science, Government, Political Philosophy, or related field (completed)
• A truly interdisciplinary profile demonstrated by: holding a degree (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral) in fields such as philosophy, law, economics, history, international relations, sociology, or other disciplines that complement political science; or significant coursework and research engagement across multiple disciplines
• Evidence of interdisciplinary work through publications, research projects, teaching experiences, or collaborative initiatives that bridge political science with other fields
• Early career profile: PhD completed or currently finishing a post-doctoral placement. A publication record that meets the requirements for Assistant Professor level (Profesor Ayudante Doctor) in the Spanish accreditation system (ANECA)
• A promising publication record with emphasis on quality and impact, including publications in peer-reviewed journals (indexed when possible), working papers, and book chapters
• Evidence of serious engagement with foundational questions in political philosophy, democratic theory, governance, and/or approaches to politics that emphasize the common good and human dignity

Research Focus and Values:

• A researcher who demonstrates enthusiasm for approaching politics from perspectives grounded in political philosophy, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, Catholic Social Teaching, or related frameworks that prioritize human dignity and authentic democratic participation
• Research interests that go beyond purely empirical or behaviorist political analysis to engage with fundamental questions about justice, the nature of political authority, citizenship, and the proper ends of political community
• Openness to interdisciplinary dialogue and willingness to integrate insights from philosophy, theology, law, economics, and history into political analysis
• A researcher who shares UFV's vision and values, particularly its commitment to truth, justice, the common good, and Christian humanism

Research Experience:

• Active research engagement through publications, presentations at academic conferences, and participation in research projects
• Demonstrated commitment to a research agenda aligned with the mission of the university and the PPLE program
• Active participation in research networks, institutes, or collaborative projects (national or international) is valued

Supervision Experience:

• Experience supervising or co-supervising bachelor's theses is valued
• Experience mentoring students and guiding their intellectual and personal formation
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering students' critical thinking and their understanding of politics as a discipline oriented toward justice and serving the common good

Teaching Experience:

• Previous experience teaching political science and government at the undergraduate level, particularly introductory or foundational courses
• Demonstrated ability to make political concepts, institutions, and processes accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds
• Experience teaching in interdisciplinary or College model settings is valued
• Proven commitment to active learning methodologies and student-centered pedagogy
• Experience with Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies is highly valued, as these form the bedrock of UFV's pedagogical model
• Demonstrated experience teaching politics from a perspective that emphasizes ethical reflection, the common good, and authentic democratic participation

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary academic environments
• A growing network of contacts in the field of specialty and membership in professional associations

Language Requirements:

• High proficiency in English (C2 level or equivalent), evidenced by publications and/or teaching experience in English-speaking contexts, as the PPLE program is fully taught in English
• Proficiency in Spanish is valued but not required; willingness to learn Spanish is expected

Commitment to UFV Mission:

• Commitment to the ideals, vision, and mission of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• Alignment with UFV's educational model based on Christian humanism, personalist anthropology, and the pursuit of truth
• Understanding of and commitment to the integration of faith and reason in higher education, particularly in the field of political science
• Dedication to fostering the common good, justice, and authentic democratic participation through political education and research
• Willingness to contribute to the formation of students as persons and engaged citizens, not merely as technical professionals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching and its implications for political thought and governance
• Experience with or knowledge of political philosophy, democratic theory, subsidiarity, solidarity, natural law in politics, or civic virtue theory
• Experience implementing Experiential Learning methodologies
• Experience with liberal arts education models or interdisciplinary teaching
• International academic experience or research stays at prestigious universities
• Additional European languages beyond English and Spanish

Selection Process:

• Application Period: January 2026
• Interviews: February 2026
• Start Date: September 2026 (academic year 2026-2027) 

Application Instructions: Applicants should submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - including detailed publication list and research experience
2. Cover Letter - addressing alignment with UFV's mission and vision for the PPLE program, with particular emphasis on how you approach the teaching and study of politics and government in light of the common good and human dignity
3. Teaching and Research Statement - explaining your pedagogical philosophy, research interests, and connection with the PPLE program
4. Three academic references

When writing the Cover Letter, please review our mission and identity webpage at: https://www.ufv.es/welcome-to-ufv-madrid/about-ufv/

Compensation Package:

The gross annual salary will be between 32,000 and 42,000 Euros, commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate. It will include relocation costs (if applicable), life and health insurance, among other benefits.

Application Submission:

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to:

• Matthias Nebel (Head of the Doctorate Program Initiative) at matthias.nebel@ufv.es
• CC: Jorge Cerdio (Head of College and Undergraduate Studies) at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es
• CC:desarrollodepersonas@ufv.es, indicating in the subject line the specific selection process to which you are applying, as well as your name and surname.  

For any inquiries regarding the position or application process, please contact Jorge Cerdio at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es

For more information, visit the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government websites:

• https://www.ufv.es/
• https://www.ufv.es/faculty-of-law-business-and-governance/ 

About Universidad Francisco de Vitoria:

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is committed to education that seeks truth, promotes human excellence, and serves the common good. Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society.

The Faculty's College model represents a unique opportunity to teach law to a broad and diverse student population in the foundational first year, while also contributing to specialized programs like the PPLE. This position allows the successful candidate to influence how law is understood and applied across multiple disciplines, always with a view toward justice, human dignity, and the common good.