Assistant Professor of Ethics - Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability

About the role

The Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability at Washington and Lee University invites applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Ethics to begin July 2027. We welcome applicants from philosophy, religious studies, political science, law, and other relevant disciplines. Special consideration will be given to candidates whose scholarship and teaching focus on moral and social problems related to poverty or social inequality, broadly construed, including their legal and policy‑related aspects; specific area of research specialization is open.

A signature program at W&L and a founding member of the national Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP), Shepherd prepares students—whatever their backgrounds, majors, career paths, or political perspectives—to understand and address the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in ways that respect the dignity of every person. We seek a scholar‑teacher who values interdisciplinary learning and can mentor students of different backgrounds and beliefs through responsible, respectful inquiry into contested ethical and political questions. To achieve our university’s mission as a liberal arts college, we strive to foster a welcoming campus community that recognizes the value of all persons and prepares students for engaged citizenship through open and substantive dialogue.

Responsibilities

• Teach the interdisciplinary introduction to poverty and human capability studies, combining ethical reasoning, empirical research, and practical policy considerations.
• Teach intermediate and advanced undergraduate ethics courses related to the faculty member’s area of interest.
• Contribute to the Shepherd Program mission and the Law, Justice, and Society program.
• Mentor students of diverse backgrounds and beliefs through responsible, respectful inquiry into contested ethical and political questions.
• Help foster a welcoming campus community that recognizes the value of all persons.
• Prepare students for engaged citizenship by creating a positive learning and working environment through open and substantive dialogue.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (philosophy, religious studies, political science, etc.) or a JD by the time of appointment.

Pay

Expected salary range: $88,000 – $96,000. Offers are based on factors such as relevant education, experience, tenure status, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Benefits

• Generous and comprehensive benefits package supporting the well‑being of employees and their families.
• Substantial support for faculty development through research funding.
• Strong culture of mentorship.
• Pre‑tenure leave program.

Schedule

5‑course teaching load distributed across Fall and Winter terms (12 weeks each) and W&L’s distinctive Spring term (4 weeks).