Political Research Assistant Jobs in Decatur, GA

Description
Emory University
Department of Political Science
Position: Pre- or Post-Doctoral Fellow in Community Building and Social Change
Position Description and Responsibilities
Emory College's Department of Political Science and the Community Building and Social Change Fellows Program is seeking applicants for a pre- or post-doctoral teaching and research fellowship in community building and social change. The teaching load for this position is two courses per year plus research and service contributions to the CBSC program equivalent to a third course. Our expectation is that the successful candidate would teach two courses during the academic year during the term of the appointment.
We are particularly interested in candidates whose teaching and research interests complement Emory's undergraduate fellowship program and minor in community building and social change. The CBSC fellows program is a year-long multidisciplinary program that features a two-course sequence in community building and social change and a community building summer practicum. More information about the community building fellows program can be found at https://www.emorycbsc.com/
Applicants should be able to teach one of the CBSC program's core course, Planning and Evaluating Community Initiatives (offered during the Spring semester), along with an elective course on a topic complementary to the program. The Planning and Evaluating Community Initiatives course, which also includes a lab, is designed to assist students and their community partners in developing a work plan to guide their summer practicum as well as providing students with the community-based research methods needed for carrying out their projects. Among others, these include: working with small area data, Geographic Information Systems, strategic planning and other approaches for fostering community engagement, intensive interviews, survey research, and focus groups.
Regarding the elective course, we are particularly interested in courses that would complement the CBSC program by providing opportunities for more in-depth exploration of a variety of topics related to the dynamics of urban communities and the well-being of vulnerable populations. Topics of interest for which we are seeking course coverage include general survey courses on urban communities, community organizing, race, class, and ethnicity, urban politics, urban public policy, and urban policy analysis, as well as more specialized courses on specific topics or substantive areas such as gentrification and neighborhood change, social capital and civic engagement, housing and community development, economic development, social policy, community health, education, the urban environment/sustainability, or public safety. Courses that provide an experiential learning component are especially welcome.
Effective Date of Appointment
This is a one-year appointment beginning September 2026.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Qualifications
Candidates should have a strong commitment to community-engaged learning and community-based research and preferably previous experience in both areas. A PhD in the social sciences is strongly preferred, though we will consider applications from candidates in the advanced stages of their dissertation research with previous teaching experience.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin August 15 and remain open until the position is filled. Applicants should submit via Interfolio a letter of application describing their teaching and research interests including their experience with community-engaged learning and/or community-based research, a curriculum vitae, a description of the courses they would like to teach (please submit reading lists, course outlines and/or syllabi if available), teaching evaluations (if available), a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. The Interfolio URL is: https://apply.interfolio.com/190792.
E-mail questions or inquiries to: Professor Michael Rich at mrich@emory.edu.