Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Tenure-Track, August 2027

Chapman University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Philosophy, beginning August 1, 2027. The appointment will be housed in the Philosophy Department within Schmid College of Science and Technology. The successful candidate will also have an affiliation with the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy and contribute to its teaching.

Successful candidates are expected to conduct independent and original research at the highest academic level, provide excellent teaching, and demonstrate academic leadership. Since the candidate will be jointly affiliated with the Smith Institute, we seek candidates interested in working together with people from different disciplinary backgrounds. In particular, candidates should demonstrate an interest in putting their lines of philosophical inquiry into conversation with insights from economics or the other social sciences and humanities.

Chapman University is a nationally-ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. The University achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities and is ranked as #110 among Best National Universities by US News and World Report (2026). Our faculty include academic leaders who excel in research, publishing, and world-class teaching in our 11 schools and colleges, including the Schmid College of Science and Technology. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education, we create an environment for unlimited achievement by both our students and faculty. More information about Chapman University is available at www.chapman.edu.

The mission of the Smith Institute is to reintegrate the study of the humanities and economics in the spirit of Adam Smith, the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, and to recombine research and undergraduate education as a discovery process in the spirit of Vernon Smith, a founder of experimental economics.

Tenure-track faculty are expected to develop and maintain an active research agenda for future tenure consideration and are evaluated on their research/scholarly activity, teaching, and service.

Qualifications

Required: 

• PhD in Philosophy or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Strong potential for impactful scholarly contributions in the field of Philosophy, or a closely related field.  
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring.
• A desire to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Preferred:

• Prior teaching experience in undergraduate Philosophy (or closely related field) and PPE courses.
• Specialty in one or more of the following: Political Philosophy, PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), and the History of Political and Economic Thought. 

Application Instructions

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following via Interfolio: 

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Research Statement
• Teaching Statement
• Writing Sample
• Three Confidential Letters of Recommendation

Inquiries may be directed to Bas van der Vossen, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected]. Please use “Philosophy Faculty Position” as the email subject line. Application review will begin November 2, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. The salary range for the position is $85,000 - $98,000 per year. Position is contingent on final budget approval. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics.  All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.