IE University Announces New Faculty Opportunity in Political Economy

IE University has officially opened applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Political Economy for the 2027–2028 academic year.

The opportunity is being offered through the university’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs (SPEGA), one of Europe’s growing hubs for research and teaching in political science, economics, and international affairs.

The Madrid-based institution is seeking scholars with expertise in political economy and empirical research methods. The selected candidate is expected to begin the role on September 1, 2027, joining an internationally diverse academic community focused on producing world-class research and innovative teaching.

The announcement comes as universities across Europe continue expanding their political science and policy faculties to address growing global debates around inequality, governance, development, and institutional reform.

Focus Areas Include Inequality, Development, and State Capacity

According to the vacancy notice, IE University is particularly interested in applicants whose research explores key issues shaping modern political economies.

Topics highlighted in the call include:

Inequality and redistribution
Welfare state policies
Economic development
Political institutions
State capacity and governance
Comparative political economy
Empirical political research

The university emphasized that applicants from a broad range of political science, international relations, and public policy backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly scholars producing data-driven and empirically grounded work.

The successful candidate will join the Political Science and International Relations group within SPEGA, which currently consists of 18 tenured and tenure-track academics working across comparative politics, international relations, political behavior, and political economy.

Strong Research Environment at SPEGA

IE University noted that members of the department regularly publish research in globally respected academic journals, including:

American Political Science Review (APSR)
American Journal of Political Science (AJPS)
Journal of Politics (JOP)
British Journal of Political Science (BJPS)

The institution said the new hire would become part of a “fast-growing department” committed to academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Located in both Madrid and Segovia, IE University has developed a strong international profile over the past decade. The institution’s working language is English, and its faculty and student population represent a broad range of nationalities and academic backgrounds.

Competitive Package and International Work Environment

The university highlighted several benefits attached to the position, including:

Competitive salary and remuneration package
Attractive teaching commitments
Access to an international academic network
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
A cosmopolitan work environment in central Madrid

The institution also reiterated its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity hiring practices. In its announcement, IE University stated that it strongly encourages applications from individuals who would further expand diversity within the faculty.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in one of the following fields:

Political Science
International Relations
Public Policy
Political Economy
Related social science disciplines

Candidates who have not yet completed their doctorate may still apply, provided there is clear evidence that the PhD will be completed by July 2027.

The position is aimed at early-career academics seeking a tenure-track pathway within a globally connected institution.

Application Materials Required

Interested applicants must submit the following materials as part of the application process:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Job market paper
Three confidential recommendation letters

Applications are being processed through the Interfolio platform, which IE University is using to manage the faculty recruitment process.

Candidates with questions regarding the recruitment process have been advised to contact the university directly through the email address provided in the official vacancy announcement.

Application Deadline Set for October 2026

The application deadline for the tenure-track Assistant Professor position is October 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Academic observers note that positions in political economy remain highly competitive globally, particularly at internationally oriented universities such as IE University, where research output and interdisciplinary engagement are major priorities.

The opening reflects continued demand for scholars capable of addressing contemporary political and economic challenges through rigorous empirical analysis and innovative policy research.

Growing Demand for Political Economy Scholars

The latest announcement also highlights the increasing importance of political economy within higher education and policymaking spaces worldwide. Universities and think tanks are investing more heavily in research focused on governance, inequality, democratic institutions, and economic transformation amid ongoing global uncertainty.

For emerging scholars, the IE University opportunity presents a chance to build an academic career in one of Europe’s leading international education environments while contributing to cutting-edge research on major global issues.

With applications now open, eligible candidates are expected to begin preparing research portfolios and recommendation materials ahead of the October 2026 deadline.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.