Legal Studies Lecturer Pool Opportunity – University of California, Santa Cruz

Legal Studies Lecturer Pool Opportunity – University of California, Santa Cruz

Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)
Academic Unit / Department: Legal Studies Program / Politics Department, Social Sciences Division
Job Reference / Requisition ID: JPF02066
Appointment Type: Pre-six Lecturer Pool / Variable appointment
Academic Rank / Level: Lecturer
Salary / Remuneration: USD $8,872–$11,576 per standard five-credit course
Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Application Deadline: August 6, 2027 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

📋 Overview of Role

The Legal Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for an ongoing pool of lecturers to teach undergraduate Legal Studies courses at the lower- and upper-division levels. The program is interdisciplinary and examines law and legal issues through perspectives including politics, philosophy, economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, feminist studies, and environmental studies.

🎯 Key Responsibilities & Teaching Scope

• Teach undergraduate Legal Studies courses consistent with the program’s curricular offerings.

• Courses may include Legal Studies 10: Introduction to the Legal Process, theory-themed courses, public law and institutions, law and society, and Senior Capstone courses.

• Contribute to interdisciplinary teaching on law-related issues.

• Support inclusive excellence through teaching and assigned academic duties.

• Work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.

• Teaching may be conducted online when required.

Areas of particular interest include:

• Comparative and international law

• Human rights

• Legal theory

• Race, gender, and the law

• Environmental law

• Public law and institutions

• Law and society

🎓 Qualifications & Candidate Profile

Required Education:

• M.A./M.S. in a social sciences or humanities-related field, or a J.D.

• Equivalent foreign degrees will be considered.

Experience & Specializations:

• Expertise in one or more of the listed Legal Studies fields is strongly encouraged.

• Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching is preferred.

• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary law-related issues is encouraged.

• A Ph.D. in a relevant social science or humanities-related field is strongly encouraged.

• A combination of legal training and training in a relevant academic discipline is also encouraged.

Certifications / Licensure:

• J.D. qualification is accepted as an alternative to the required M.A./M.S.

💼 Remuneration & Benefits

• Salary: USD $8,872–$11,576 for a standard five-credit course, based on salary points 1–10.

• Summer Session compensation may vary from regular academic-year courses.

• Appointment percentage is variable according to assigned course load.

• Appointments are typically made for one or more quarters during Fall, Winter, and Spring and may also be available during Summer Session.

• UC Santa Cruz offers a competitive benefits package and programs supporting employee work/life balance, where applicable.

• Important: The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

📄 Application Checklist & Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Cover Letter summarizing qualifications and interest in the position

3. Teaching Statement appropriate for UCSC students

4. Sample Course Syllabi — optional

5. Teaching Evaluations — optional

6. Three Letters of Reference — required and submitted confidentially through the UC Recruit System

📬 Application Process

• 🔗 Application Link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02066

• 📧 Contact / Enquiries: grhowlan@ucsc.edu

• 📅 Deadline: August 6, 2027 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

• Most Recent Review Date: July 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Applications submitted after this date may still be reviewed if the position remains unfilled.

🌐 Official Website / Domain: https://legalstudies.ucsc.edu