Churchill Associate Professor of United States Politics

Location: 1a South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UB

The University of Oxford’s Rothermere American Institute seeks to appoint an Associate Professor of United States Politics with research and teaching expertise in American Political Development, with a particular focus on one or more of the following: law and constitutional development, political institutions, foreign policymaking, federalism, executive power, parties and electoral politics, legislative politics, urban politics, or political economy. Within those specialisms, we are seeking an individual with an internationally recognised research record, a strong track record of effective teaching and academic administration, and a broader agenda of public, professional, and/or policymaker engagement.

The successful candidate will contribute to Oxford’s internationally recognised research environment and play a leading role in both postgraduate and undergraduate teaching in the field of US Politics and Government. The Associate Professor will also occupy a senior leadership position at the Rothermere American Institute, Oxford’s multidisciplinary centre for the study of the United States and its place in the wider world. In this role, they will be encouraged to develop innovative academic and public programming for the RAI within the broad field of American politics and serve on internal committees and contribute to other Institute events.

This post, made possible thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, is a bold statement of the University of Oxford’s commitment to becoming the global centre for the historically informed study of the politics of the United States and its place in the world. From 2028-29, the RAI will be the home of a new one-year MSc degree in US Politics and Government, the first such degree programme offered at the University. The Churchill Associate Professor’s key responsibility will be to design and implement this new programme, working closely with colleagues in the RAI and the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR). This appointment is therefore an exciting opportunity for a motivated scholar to shape the future of the study of US Politics in Oxford.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented in higher education. No applicant or member of staff will be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The post is tenable from 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applications must be submitted online through the University’s e-recruitment system by 12 noon (UK time) on Wednesday 6 May 2026 (via the above 'Apply' button). Details of how to apply are available in the further particulars.

185463 JD Churchill Associate Professor of US Politics

If you would like to discuss this post and find out more about the RAI and Oxford’s academic community, please contact Professor Adam Smith, Edward Orsborn Professor of US Politics and Political History and Director of the Rothermere American Institute (adam.smith@rai.ox.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not be considered in selection decisions. 

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