Teaching Assistant Professor

About the job

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Curriculum in Global Studies is an academic unit within the College of Arts and Sciences that offers a dynamic undergraduate major and an innovative master’s program. Unlike a traditional international or area studies approach, the Curriculum in Global Studies focuses on analysis of trans-regional and trans-national themes, events, and processes that affect states and societies around the world. Students focus on issues with contemporary global significance and policy relevance. Through our commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring, Global Studies promotes interdisciplinary understanding of critical global issues. In addition, we work to encourage discussions about these issues among our students, faculty, and the broader Chapel Hill community through outreach, events, and other programming. We actively support our students taking advantage of global opportunities outside of the classroom including study abroad, experiential learning, and globally focused internships and research projects, both locally and abroad.

Position Summary

The Curriculum in Global Studies (CGS) at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) is seeking applicants for a full-time Teaching Assistant Professor (TAP), broadly focused on environment and wellbeing. Areas of focus may include environmental justice, health and care practices, impacts of climate change, food systems, health systems, or sustainability.

Candidates will be expected to teach required and elective courses in the Global Studies MA program, including the Graduate Studies Research and Methods course. This is a full-time Teaching Assistant Professor (TAP) position that carries a 3-3 teaching load, with all courses taught live and in person and including a combination of introductory and advanced offerings.

Teaching responsibilities may include one or more of the Global Studies MA program’s core courses, GLBL 210: Global Issues and Globalization, research and methods courses, the Global Studies Senior Honors Thesis Writing Seminars, and elective courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise. In addition to classroom teaching, the successful candidate will mentor undergraduate honors thesis committees and graduate student thesis committees and will have opportunities to work closely with students on research projects. We especially welcome scholars whose work engages environmental justice, health and care practices, the impacts of climate change, food systems, health systems, or sustainability, with a preference for research and teaching that incorporates Global South, grassroots, and/or Indigenous perspectives, as well as creative, collaborative, and community-based approaches. We are also interested in candidates who share the mission of CGS to bring together diverse perspectives and methodological approaches to examine the complex relationships among local, national, and global structures and to develop responses to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

We are particularly interested in scholars who have university-level teaching experience and a strong commitment to supporting students both in the classroom and through research mentorship. Candidates should demonstrate a high degree of personal motivation, responsibility, and commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of the learning environment.

The TAP position is a three-year, fixed-term, renewable appointment with standard full-time employee benefits. The position provides opportunities for professional and career advancement, including promotion to the ranks of Teaching Associate Professor and Teaching Professor.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Candidates must have a doctoral degree in Global Studies or related fields, including International Studies, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, Public Policy, etc.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Demonstrated academic experience in topics related to the description above, university teaching experience, a strong commitment to working with students in the classroom and on research projects, and high personal motivation and responsibility toward maintaining the integrity of the learning environment and process.

Special Instructions

Please include student evaluations of teaching in your application submission. Please include the contact information for only three confidential reference letters. References will be contacted for candidates invited to Zoom interviews. Invitations for Zoom interviews will be sent in mid-December.

To apply, please provide: • Cover letter, detailing expertise in the areas of environment, environmental justice and/or community-based change • Statement of Teaching and Service Philosophy • Curriculum vitae/resume, including education • Draft course outline or syllabus • Student evaluations of teaching • Contact information (only) for three confidential reference letters Expected Timeline: • Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2026. • Short-listed candidates for Zoom interviews will take place in January 2027. • Campus visits will take place in February 2027. • Employment will start on July 1, 2027.

Questions can be directed to Dr. Jonathan Weiler (search committee chair) via email jweiler@email.unc.edu

Academic Personnel Office Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.