What are the responsibilities and job description for the Baker School of Public Policy - Teaching Assistant/Associate Professor Public Policy Fall 2026 position at Inside Higher Ed?
Location:
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Apr 8, 2026
Description
The Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a non-tenure track teaching faculty position at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor. This position focuses on high-quality instruction in public policy across our undergraduate and graduate programs. Emphasis will be placed on supporting and expanding our rapidly growing online MPA program, and we welcome candidates with experience or interest in online and hybrid instruction.
We seek an engaged and effective instructor to deliver a range of public policy courses, including courses on the policy process, agenda setting and public opinion, policy implementation, and evaluation. Candidates with expertise teaching research methods and a desire to lead student-based projects are especially encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will teach in our Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs, as well as our undergraduate Public Affairs major. The standard teaching load is 3-4 courses per semester. In addition to classroom responsibilities, the faculty member is expected to provide significant service to the School, the University, the profession, and the community.
The appointment will begin on August 1, 2026. It is a 9-month position with salary distributed over 12 months. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for subsequent terms of one to three years. Salary is commensurate with rank and experience.
Who We Are
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.
The Baker School was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former US Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan. Located in a 51,000-sq. ft purpose-built facility, the Baker School evolved from the Baker Center, which for twenty years has operated as a think-tank producing research, public engagement programming, and an active set of student programs. The Baker School is very excited to add degree programs and grow its research programming into independent research centers. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and civic participation among UT undergraduates and the state at large.
We are a dynamic, close-knit team of dedicated, hardworking individuals who are devoted to research, education, and public service initiatives that address real-world problems across local, state, national, and global communities. Each member of our team is a valuable contributor to achieving our mission, and we work together to find innovative approaches to advance the Baker School. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a solution-finder, someone who enthusiastically embraces opportunities to address novel situations through teamwork and collaboration. We need a hardworking, flexible professional who thrives on developing out-of-the-box approaches and addressing new challenges. We are looking for an achiever, someone seeking a chance to develop their skills and open to learning from others. We need a critical thinker who exercises good judgment and can be relied upon to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership, inside and beyond the academy. We need teammates who are dedicated to public service.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
All candidates must possess a doctoral degree prior to August 1, 2026, in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, or a related field and must have demonstrable training in public policy.
Rank-Specific Qualifications
Assistant Teaching Professor: Candidates must demonstrate clear potential for excellence in teaching core subjects, including policy process, policy implementation, and evaluation.
Associate Teaching Professor: Candidates must have a proven record of effective college- or university-level teaching, specifically in policy process, policy implementation, and evaluation.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following via Interfolio:
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Apr 8, 2026
Description
The Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a non-tenure track teaching faculty position at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor. This position focuses on high-quality instruction in public policy across our undergraduate and graduate programs. Emphasis will be placed on supporting and expanding our rapidly growing online MPA program, and we welcome candidates with experience or interest in online and hybrid instruction.
We seek an engaged and effective instructor to deliver a range of public policy courses, including courses on the policy process, agenda setting and public opinion, policy implementation, and evaluation. Candidates with expertise teaching research methods and a desire to lead student-based projects are especially encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will teach in our Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs, as well as our undergraduate Public Affairs major. The standard teaching load is 3-4 courses per semester. In addition to classroom responsibilities, the faculty member is expected to provide significant service to the School, the University, the profession, and the community.
The appointment will begin on August 1, 2026. It is a 9-month position with salary distributed over 12 months. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for subsequent terms of one to three years. Salary is commensurate with rank and experience.
Who We Are
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.
The Baker School was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former US Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan. Located in a 51,000-sq. ft purpose-built facility, the Baker School evolved from the Baker Center, which for twenty years has operated as a think-tank producing research, public engagement programming, and an active set of student programs. The Baker School is very excited to add degree programs and grow its research programming into independent research centers. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and civic participation among UT undergraduates and the state at large.
We are a dynamic, close-knit team of dedicated, hardworking individuals who are devoted to research, education, and public service initiatives that address real-world problems across local, state, national, and global communities. Each member of our team is a valuable contributor to achieving our mission, and we work together to find innovative approaches to advance the Baker School. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a solution-finder, someone who enthusiastically embraces opportunities to address novel situations through teamwork and collaboration. We need a hardworking, flexible professional who thrives on developing out-of-the-box approaches and addressing new challenges. We are looking for an achiever, someone seeking a chance to develop their skills and open to learning from others. We need a critical thinker who exercises good judgment and can be relied upon to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership, inside and beyond the academy. We need teammates who are dedicated to public service.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
All candidates must possess a doctoral degree prior to August 1, 2026, in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, or a related field and must have demonstrable training in public policy.
Rank-Specific Qualifications
Assistant Teaching Professor: Candidates must demonstrate clear potential for excellence in teaching core subjects, including policy process, policy implementation, and evaluation.
Associate Teaching Professor: Candidates must have a proven record of effective college- or university-level teaching, specifically in policy process, policy implementation, and evaluation.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following via Interfolio:
- A cover letter describing their teaching experience, instructional approach, and interest in contributing to public policy and public administration education, including any experience with online or applied learning environments.
- A current CV.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as course evaluations, sample syllabi, or other instructional materials (if available).
- Contact information for three references to be contacted by the search committee.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.