Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor National Security and Nuclear Policy_Baker School_Fall 2025

Position description

The Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position (open rank) in Public Policy and Public Affairs to begin in August 2025. We are searching for an expert in national security, with particular interest in candidates who have nuclear policy/politics expertise, to partner with our Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA), to deliver in-person and online courses for students and working professionals, conduct funded research, and engage in policy engagement and public outreach. The Baker School offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs, a Master of Public Policy (MPP), and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), with concentrations in national security and nuclear policy, among other fields. The Baker School also offers undergraduate and graduate certificates in these areas, in partnership with Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). We are seeking scholars who have an active research program and a commitment to undergraduate and graduate education. 

About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

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. UTK is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, a thriving community located in close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

About the Baker School 

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) aims to produce the next generation of skilled public problem solvers prepared to take leadership roles in their communities. Baker School students are grounded in the legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former US Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan, with curriculum and co-curricular activities focused on Baker’s guiding principles including Confidence in America, Finding Common Ground and You Might Be Right. Under the umbrellas of two research centers, Baker School faculty and experts combine sound science and thoughtful policy to address challenges facing the state of Tennessee, the United States, and the world. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and participation among UT undergraduates and the state at large. 

Who We Are 

We are a dynamic and close-knit team of dedicated and hardworking individuals devoted to research, education, and public service initiatives that address real-world problems in 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 moving the Baker School forward. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs. 

Who We Are Looking For 

We are in search of a solution-finder, someone who enthusiastically embraces opportunities to address novel situations through teamwork and collaboration. We need a hardworking and flexible professional, who thrives in developing out-of-the-box approaches and addressing new challenges. We are looking for an achiever, someone who is searching for a chance to grow their skills and who is open to learning from others. We need a critical thinker who exercises good judgment and who can be relied upon and trusted to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership. We need teammates who are dedicated to public service.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a doctoral degree in political science, public policy, international relations, or a relevant field at time of application. 

Candidates must be able to develop and deliver courses in nuclear policy and national security. Existing courses in the Baker School curriculum include U.S. National Security, Foundations of U.S. Foreign Policy, Nuclear Security in an Age of Emerging Technologies, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Policy and Deterrence, Nuclear Nonproliferation and Safeguards, Hybrid Warfare, and Grey Zone Warfare and Cybersecurity. This position would be expected to contribute to designing and teaching a selection of these existing courses and to support the development of new courses as needed. 

Candidates for Assistant Professor should have an active research agenda, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and a commitment to service to the University and community. 

Candidates for Associate Professor should have a demonstrated record of publishing in appropriate journals, exceptional teaching, and internal and external service to their professional community. Candidates who have experience in securing and executing externally funded research are preferred, though this is not a requirement of the position. 

Candidates for Full Professor should have a demonstrated record of publishing in appropriate journals, exceptional teaching, and internal and external service to their professional community. In addition, the candidate should have national/international recognition in their field of study. Candidates who have experience in securing and executing externally funded research are preferred, though this is not a requirement of the position. 

The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary hiring initiative to build the new Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, the first such organization at a public institution in the State of Tennessee. We seek future colleagues who will help build the School and can contribute fresh ideas, a growth mindset, and interdisciplinary experience. 

In addition to teaching responsibilities, the candidates will be expected to contribute to the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs, one of three active research and engagement centers that are part of the School. The other centers are the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy and the Institute of American Civics.
 

Application instructions

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