University of Wisconsin-Madison

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The La Follette School of Public Affairs seeks a cutting-edge Assistant Professor in environmental policy. The school is open with regards to the specific expertise and approach. However, we are particularly interested in a scholar who focuses on U.S. domestic public policy and/or public administration related to the environment.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and undergraduate student. mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students, and members of the broader community.

The selected candidate will conduct productive research, be a committed teacher, and welcome being part of an interdisciplinary department dedicated to promoting good public policy. Teaching will involve core graduate and undergraduate courses in public affairs or international public affairs, as well as upper-level electives. We are especially interested in a scholar who will contribute core classes to the school's growing undergraduate program and is prepared to teach courses in topics such as Policy Process, Public Management, or Cost-Benefit Analysis. We anticipate that the selected candidate will participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with research centers and other departments, schools, and colleges as is fitting for the position.

The La Follette School is a highly ranked school of public policy, and one of many highly ranked units at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The University is consistently ranked among the top universities in terms of success in federally funded research grants and is highly supportive of an interdisciplinary approach to scholarship. La Follette’s new faculty member will be integrated into a larger group of newly recruited and existing faculty across the campus who are also focused on research dedicated to, which is called the RISE-EARTH initiative.

Situated at the heart of UW-Madison, the College of Letters & Science (L&S) serves as home to 39 academic departments and numerous research centers, including the La Follette School. The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service. As part of UW-Madison’s RISE-EARTH initiative, the College of Letters & Science is making a bold, interdisciplinary investment in research and teaching that advances our understanding of urgent environmental problems and their solutions.

This faculty position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation, and world. Building on UW–Madison’s strengths, RISE expands the University’s successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.

Over the next three academic years, UW–Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools, and colleges on research, teaching, and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure and funding to support broad and rich collaboration.

Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/

Madison is the state's capital city and is well known for offering a small town feel in a medium-sized city. It is a great place to raise a family and offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, stimulating cultural events, outstanding schools, and outdoor recreation.

Key Job Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will conduct scholarly research, teach graduate and undergraduate classes, mentor students, and provide service to the department, college, university, and academic community.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants should demonstrate excellence and productivity in research and a commitment to teaching. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience and foster teaching, learning, mentoring, and a research environment where all can thrive. Candidates should also demonstrate potential for interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and with various research centers.

Education:
Ph.D. Required in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science and Engineering, or a related field by the start of appointment.

How to Apply:
Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under Job Requisition JR10003268. Applications must be received through UW- Madison's online application system. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. Applicants should submit the following 3 items: a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and a teaching and mentoring statement.

For applicants who move forward in the process, each reference will receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference. For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59 pm on October 24, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please note that applicants will be evaluated based on submitted application materials and, therefore, should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant’s dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring.

Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant’s ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.