About Occidental College
Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.
What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academic environment. Small classroom settings where students collaborate with professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering their passion. A beautiful residential campus that offers students hands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation and divergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28 countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in one the country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy students routinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholar was named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidental also is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses, according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy students receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grant recipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attend college
Professor of Comparative Politics,
Specialization in East Asian Politics
Open rank: Assistant/Associate/Full
Department of Politics
POSITION SUMMARY
The Department of Politics at Occidental College invites applications for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of
Comparative Politics with a specialization in East Asian Politics, with appointment to begin August 16, 2027.
The Politics Department is searching for a specialist in Comparative East Asian Politics who will offer an Introductory
Comparative Politics course, a course in East Asian Politics (either comparative or country-specific), as well as other
courses at multiple levels in their area(s) of specialization. In addition, the new hire will teach required courses that
rotate among members of the department (such as Quantitative Research Methods and Senior Comprehensives). We
are particularly interested in courses that would meet Core requirements and that would engage with the city and
communities of Los Angeles. As necessary, the new hire will contribute to the First-Year Seminar program, which focuses
on writing and community-engagement, and the new hire will have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate
researchers in Oxy’s renowned Summer Research Program. The new hire will have an active research agenda, producing
scholarship that is commensurate with the requirements associated with the level of appointment. Finally, the new hire
will participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, and serve on broader college-wide
committees.
The Politics Department is committed to providing students a program that combines academic rigor and curricular
innovation with hands-on experience. Our students study political systems across cultures, evaluate real-world policy
challenges, and take part in multiple experiential learning and research opportunities. Our faculty are committed
teacher-scholars who bring critical inquiry and discovery into the classroom. They establish themselves as exceptional
researchers and practitioners in their fields. They also provide departmental and college-wide service, as well as service
to their profession. As a small institution with a commitment to shared governance, faculty across the College
collaborate in maintaining the excellence of the College’s academic program.
Located within the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Occidental is committed to a community-engaged curriculum—faculty-
designed fieldwork, visits to local museums and cultural organizations, and long-standing partnerships into their courses.
Occidental is also committed to undergraduate research, regularly mentoring students in Occidental’s hallmark summer
research program. For decades, Occidental has been a leader in creating access for a diverse student body. That diversity
enriches the education of all students. We seek an innovative teacher, scholar, mentor, and colleague who wishes to
work in such an environment and who shares the commitments articulated in the mission of the College.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications
PhD in Political Science with an emphasis in Comparative East Asian Politics or a related field. Applicants must
hold PhD by the position start date, August 16, 2027Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching in a small liberal arts college
environmentRecord of/commitment to creating equitable learning opportunities and inclusive pedagogies for a diverse
student body, especially for minoritized studentsAbility to teach Introduction to Comparative Politics, courses on East Asian Politics, a Quantitative Research
Methods course, and a Senior Comprehensives courseA strong record of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to the level of appointment
Ability to develop an active and sophisticated research agenda with potential for growth
Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the College
Preferred Qualifications
- Willingness and ability to teach community-engaged or practice-based courses
- Willingness and ability to mentor undergraduate research
- Experience in or commitment to departmental leadership and management responsibilities (e.g., curricular
development, annual assessment, long-term departmental planning, etc.)
SALARY
EXPECTED SALARY RANGE (for Academic Year, Nine-month Appointment):
- If hired at Assistant rank: $87,000 - $94,000
- If hired at Associate rank: $103,000 - $116,000
- If hired at Full rank: $120,000 - $145,000
If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on
factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental
complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the
final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the
maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All application materials must be submitted by midnight Eastern time (9:00pm Pacific time) on September 13, 2026.
Applicants must submit a complete application package electronically via Interfolio to be considered by the search
committee. https://apply.interfolio.com/190046
A complete application includes all of the following:
- CV
- A 2-page maximum Cover Letter that describes your interest in this position at Occidental College, as well as the
education, experience, and/or skills you possess that are relevant to the required and preferred qualifications
listed above.
A 2-page maximum Teaching Statement that discusses your pedagogical goals, methods, and practices. Explain
how you attempt to engage with students from diverse backgrounds, including how you create an inclusive and
equitable learning environment. Discuss the courses you are prepared to teach including brief descriptions. You
might include topics, structure, assignments, or other distinguishing features.A 2-page maximum Research Statement that describes the major questions or problems you address in your
scholarship as well as any methodologies you employ to pursue your inquiries. Explain the contributions your
work makes to the discipline and discuss your future research projects and plans.List of 3 Recommenders prepared to send Confidential Letters of Reference. The college will request confidential
letters from these recommenders for applicants who advance to the semi-finalist phase of the search.
If you have any questions about the position, the application materials, or the application instructions, please contact:
Regina Freer at rfreer@oxy.edu or call 323-259-2924. If you have questions about Interfolio or the application process,
please contact the Academic Support Administrator, Beatrice Gonzales, at facultysearch@oxy.edu.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on
the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or
related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability,
medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic
protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community
and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff,
administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to
identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals
and those from groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes:
excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and
dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of
benefits, please visit https://www.oxy.edu/offices-services/humanresources/benefits-information.
All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner
consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance
Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with
qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or
employment process, please contact Human Resources (hr@oxy.edu).
As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all
candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already
done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-
employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal,
state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
