Legal Studies Lecturer

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Description

The interdisciplinary Legal Studies Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is accepting applications for a full-time (academic year) non-tenure track lecturer. We welcome applications from scholars and teachers who focus on law and society broadly defined. The successful candidate can offer courses that address social, political, historical and / or cultural issues in the U.S., foreign or global courses are also welcome, and preference will be given to candidates that offer creative course designs and well developed pedagogy for undergraduate students.

This is a full-time position with a two-year contract, with the expectation of ongoing contract renewal based on programmatic needs, funding, and the candidate's performance. It is expected to start on September 1, 2026. The teaching load for the position is 3-3, including upper division classes of the successful candidate's choosing. Teaching decisions will be made in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Director of the Legal Studies Department. The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in the Department of Legal Studies, which includes both tenure track faculty and lecturers sharing teaching and service responsibilities.

Requirements

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary program, with a focus on law. Applicants with a law degree (e.g., J.D.) will be considered if they provide evidence of successful undergraduate teaching.

Additional Information

Legal Studies is an independent academic department within the School of Public Policy Legal Studies is the oldest undergraduate liberal arts degree for the study of law and society in the country, and the only one in New England at a public university. The expanding Legal Studies Department is a center for ambitious intellectual activity, research, and teaching that addresses important questions about the place of law in societies around the world while helping to produce the next generation of social science law and society scholars. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is the institutional home of the Law and Society Association, the world's premier interdisciplinary legal studies organization, and the Center for Justice, Law, and Societies, which offers opportunities for research, training, and public engagement.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following :

• a letter of interest
• curriculum vitae (CV)
• teaching statement
• evidence of quality teaching (such as a teaching statement and / or summaries of teaching evaluations)
• names and contact information for three references who are willing to submit letters upon request through the UMass online application system.

Inquiries about the position can be addressed to Jamie Rowen, Search Committee Chair (jrowen@umass.edu). Review of applications will begin November 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.